New planning laws bypassing environmental concerns make a joke of Blair’s vision of sustainability

Next September Tony Blair will be going to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg to teach the world about saving the planet, just as his government completes the greatest assault on environmental protection this country has ever known. With his customary messianic zeal, he’s said he “wants the UK to lead the world on sustainability”. So why is his government trying to hustle through reforms in the planning system which rip away current protections?

Full article: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2001/dec/18/localgovernment

Getting housebuilders to take energy efficiency seriously would have a dramatic effect upon the UK’s environment

Only 20 years ago, Sue Roaf’s house in Oxford would have come out of a science fiction novel. Thermal insulation, energy efficiency appliances and solar energy from photo-voltaic panels means that her traditional looking semi not only emits hardly any carbon from fossil fuels but is a power station in its own right, exporting surplus electricity back to the grid.

Full article: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2001/dec/12/climatechange.society