the Edge has developed a set of policy proposals

Policy Proposals November 2022

This is a call for action

Global heating and rapid biodiversity loss require urgent and co-ordinated action. Targets have been agreed and ratified: global heating is not to exceed 1.5°C over pre-industrial temperatures, net-zero carbon emissions will be reached by 2050 and the destruction of environments and species will be halted with subsequent net-gain of their diverse habitats and populations. What have not been established or put into train are the actions necessary to achieve these targets.

the Edge considers that successfully overcoming the existential threats of climate change and biodiversity loss is feasible, but only if two conditions are met – first that there has to be a clear focus and overriding combined commitment by government, industry and society to address the major challenges that face us all and, second, that the necessary changes are carried through with the utmost urgency. There is a great deal to do and very little time left. This is especially true of the built environment, one part of the Edge’s area of specialism and expertise, which is responsible for at least 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions and considerable harm to its partner, the natural environment

In this document the Edge attempts to set out actions it believes are required to tackle these twin emergencies. These range from reform the basis of the economy itself, so that it rewards good practice and actively discourages bad, to more industry-specific proposals including the planning, procurement and regulatory systems that impact almost all buildings in the UK; whether existing, under construction or proposed. The aim is for policies that transform everyday places and ordinary lives.

The proposals are arranged under 8 headings, ranging from the broad to the tightly focused, with each heading the responsibility of different government departments or sectors of the industry. The proposals are not intended to be cherry-picked, they support each other and are all more or less necessary if essential reform is to be achieved.

This brief document is intended to be accessible and straightforward to grasp. As a result it doesn’t include the very necessary detail, research and references required to back it up. the Edge will publish this fuller information and more detailed set of propositions in due course.

the Edge welcomes discussion and debate on these topics and will be arranging public sessions in the months ahead to do just that. Alternative propositions are very welcome.