Going low carbon can deliver progress on other crucial fronts such as energy security, affordable homes, new jobs and regeneration.
So CABE has launched a major new initiative, Sustainable Cities, for the people responsible for planning, designing and managing towns and cities.
Sustainable Cities is the result of a two year research programme, working with the English Core Cities and a team of 30 experts.
Making towns and cities low carbon is not impossibly complicated – but it does mean seeing the bigger picture to make the right decision. Biomass boilers or combined heat and power? How do you balance high density living with more green, natural space? How do you work out energy demand and supply over the next 20 years?
Sustainable Cities aims to help towns and cities avoid the risk of unintended consequences. Going low carbon is not just about the quality of our homes – it is about how we live our lives. The household fuel bill savings from well insulated homes could, after all, be spent on more plasma screens and flights.
As our towns and cities tackle climate change they need to become better places to live and work. It is possible to undermine the quality of a place at the same time as cutting emissions, and make it less sustainable. Investing in electric vehicles will cut carbon emissions, for instance, but contribute nothing to better traffic management, more walking and cycling, and more beautiful streets and open spaces.
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