How Town Planning Will Help the UK's 2050 Net-Zero Target
07 Feb, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- What the UK government's net-zero target is.
- The role town planning will play in reaching the net-zero target.
- Where the latest planning jobs are and how to apply for them.
The UK town planning sector plays an important part in influencing and creating plans that prioritise a focus on sustainable development. With the UK government setting targets that aim to reduce the effects of climate change, town planning bears a big responsibility to help meet these objectives.
In our latest blog, we’re exploring how town planning will help the UK government achieve its goal to reach net-zero by 2050.
What is the UK government’s net-zero target?
By the year 2050, the UK government is committed to reaching net-zero. In order to achieve this goal, the total greenhouse gas emissions emitted into the atmosphere will need to equal the total emissions removed from the atmosphere, effectively evening out emissions to zero. This means that a person, company, activity or country must be able to offset the amount of greenhouse gas it emits. As a result of being net-zero, global warming and the subsequent effects of climate change are easier to manage.
Whereas carbon-zero targets focus only on balancing carbon dioxide emissions, the term ‘net-zero’ refers to all greenhouse gases including nitrous oxide and methane.
Typically, net-zero is achieved through reducing or offsetting emissions. Reducing emissions refers to the strategies used to cut down emissions across industries, agriculture, transportation and other sectors. Cleaner technologies and renewable energy sources might be adopted to reduce emissions.
Offsetting emissions on the other hand refers to the investment of projects that will capture or completely remove greenhouse gases from the earth’s atmosphere. Reforestation and sustainable farming practices are common ways to offset emissions.
How will town planning help the UK’s 2050 net-zero target?
There are a variety of ways in which town planning will play an important role in helping the UK government reach its target to be net-zero by 2050, including:
- Increasing green spaces.
- Promoting mixed-use development.
- Managing flood risks.
- Decarbonising energy supply.
- Promoting sustainable transport.
Increasing green spaces
The practice of town planning allows planning professionals to encourage the development of green spaces such as parks, forests and even green roofs covered in vegetation.
Town planning recruitment specialist, Josh Draycott, says, “By expanding on green spaces within towns, Town Planners can help improve air quality because the trees, plants and soil will absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.”
Josh continues, “This reduces the amount of greenhouse gases in the air and therefore plays a role in helping to meet net-zero targets.”
The integration of green spaces into towns and cities is also essential for promoting sustainable development and initiatives such as Manchester’s ‘Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy’ are important for combating climate change and supporting net-zero targets.
Promoting mixed-use development
Mixed-use developments refer to urban areas that have been created to combine residential, commercial, recreational and industrial spaces within a single development.
Such areas are created to provide self-sufficient communities that are able to walk from amenity to amenity, therefore reducing a reliance on cars and promoting sustainable living.
Limiting the need for residents to travel significant distances between homes, workplaces and amenities means communities are able to reduce their transport emissions and contribute to reaching environmental targets.
The idea of ‘15 minute cities’ has caused controversy in the past, with some people fearing they will drive further divisions between communities. However, the concept essentially promotes the ability for residents to access everything they need in their daily life within a 15 minute walk or cycle, in order to maintain a focus on sustainable living.
Managing flood risks
The town planning sector plays an important part in ensuring that flood risks are managed throughout communities across the UK.
Reducing the reliance on carbon-intensive flood defences and infrastructure repairs that may occur as a result of flooding, means town planning is able to support the UK governments target to be net-zero by 2050.
Through the use of climate-adaptive designs, Town Planners are able to create infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of extreme weather and the integrations of Sustainable Drainage Systems, such as permeable pavements and rain gardens, are essential for preventing floods and promoting biodiversity.
Decarbonising energy supply
Town planning plays an important role in integrating renewable energy systems into designs that will support the shift towards low-carbon energy supply. Through the implementation of energy sources such as solar power, the town planning sector plays an important role in reducing communities' reliance on fossil fuels.
The installation of solar panels on new developments ensures that new infrastructure is making use of solar energy and that town planning is contributing to the UK government's net-zero target.
Promoting sustainable transport
Towns that are designed to promote walking, cycling and public transport support the mission to reduce greenhouse gases within the atmosphere. Cars are a significant contributor when it comes to the emission for Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and in 2024, Green Match reported that domestic transport in the UK emits 99 million tonnes of CO₂, with 91% of these emissions being attributed to road travel. This makes it the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gas emissions.
Town planning should incorporate strategies that make it easier and safer for communities to choose walking and cycling over using the car. As a result of this, the UK government’s net-zero target will be easier to achieve.
Contact a town planning recruitment specialist
Josh Draycott is a dedicated private sector and local authority Town Planning recruitment specialist with a diverse background in recruitment.
With a strong focus on the planning industry, Josh recruits for a wide range of roles, including Town Planners, Policy Planners, Urban Planners, Development Management Planners and Directors of Planning. His expertise lies in sourcing both interim and permanent talent to meet the planning objectives of his clients.
Planning jobs
If you’re searching for your next town planning job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Town planning recruitment services
As town planning recruitment specialists, we support local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs.
Josh has built long-standing, trusted relationships with numerous local council planning departments, delivering tailored recruitment solutions that address the dynamic and evolving demands of the town planning sector.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, get in touch with Josh Draycott on 01772 954200 to see how we can help.
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations.
In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.
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