Caton, Martin

That this House believes that climate change is a major issue facing the planet and agrees with the recent Stern Review that urgent action is required to reduce carbon emissions; notes with concern that a number of local authorities have been prevented from specifying higher energy efficiency standards in their local development plans thereby undermining their efforts to set high sustainability standards; therefore welcomes the bringing forward of the Local Planning Authorities: Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill, via the Private Members' Ballot by the hon. Member for Gower with cross-party support which would allow councils to include energy efficiency standards higher than current building regulations and sustainable energy and microgeneration provisions in their local development plans, and also require them to consider whether to specify conditions relating to energy efficiency, sustainable energy and microgeneration when granting planning permission; and further hopes that the proposed new climate change planning policy statement due to be published next year by the Department for Communities and Local Government will also indicate support for this as a first step.