With the realisation growing that buildings are collectively the equal of roads, railways and airports combined when it comes to squandering carbon, and that they account for nearly half of the UK's carbon output, the run up to the Copenhagen climate change conference next month is producing a raft of new measures and proposals that seem likely to put local authorities at centre stage, both as enforcers and exemplars.
The Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) new scientific adviser started in his post this week. Professor Jeremy Watson, who is head of global research at global design and business consulting engineering firm Ove Arup and Partners, has taken over the role of scientific adviser to the CLG.
His job at Arup will now be just part time as he takes up the role of ensuring that CLG policy is "underpinned by the best science and engineering advice available" particularly in respect of sustainability, technological development, and renewable energy.
But before Watson had properly got his feet under the table, CLG housing minister John Healey this week announced the publication of a consultation paper whose measures, if adopted, envisage the installation of new solar roofs at stadiums, schools and railway stations, the recladding of office buildings with solar panels and the erection of wind turbines up to 15m high on industrial estates and in agricultural areas.
Similarly, householders would also be able to add wind turbines and air source heat pumps to their properties without consent, extending the right to add solar panels and biomass systems that was introduced last year.
Naturally, there will be rules and the conditions and thresholds that are proposed are a key part of the consultation according to the government announcement.
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is seeking its members views on the proposals but Kelvin MacDonald, policy adviser at the RTPI, has said that the institute supports the initiative to make it easier for householders and businesses to install renewable technologies.
But he added that it is also important that the proposals take account of local circumstances and historic buildings.
Healey's announcement followed swiftly after his call last week for a "national crusade" against climate change. However, the proposals have been around for a while and give substance to proposals contained in the 2007 Planning White Paper, Planning for a Sustainable Future.
The CLG is not the only department with the low-carbon economy on its mind. Energy conservation is both problem and opportunity and the department for Business, Innovation and Skills is keen to ensure fair play when it comes to dishing out the opportunities presented.
At the TUC 21st Century Economy Conference earlier this week, business minister Pat McFadden announced the creation of the Forum for a Just Transition, which is a body established to ensure that the opportunities and challenges of moving to a low carbon economy are shared equally around the UK.
McFadden said that it is important to ensure that there is a fair distribution of costs, benefits and new employment opportunities.
