Renewables and the London Plan
3 Apr 2007
BCO commissioned this research to support its response to the proposal in the London Plan to increase the requirement for on site renewable energy from 10% to 20%.
BCO's response to the London Plan, produced by the Greater London Authority (GLA), focussed on the crosscutting policies to address climate change in chapter 4 particulalry on policies 4A.7 and 4A.5.
Members of the BCO support the GLA's strategy to make London a world leader in the development of a low carbon city and are keen that the office sector should play its part in contributing to this strategy. However, our research shows that although it is possible for office developments to reach the proposed targets, a more holistic approach is required incorporating multiple strategies to produce greater reductions in carbon. Whilst reductions in carbon emissions are vital for the continued success of the office sector, the narrow focus of this policy document is unlikely to encourage innovation across the sector. A broader and less prescriptive approach to carbon reduction is essential to recognise the difficulties faced by office developments especially by tall buildings in city centres where space is limited.