Sustainability
Contact Details:
Address: Sustainability Team,
Ground Floor,
Civic Centre,
Southampton,
Postcode: SO14 7LS
Telephone: 023 8083 4649
Email: sustainability@southampton.gov.uk
Details of service:
A widely-used definition of sustainable development is: 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' The increasing stress we put on resources and environmental systems such as water, land and air cannot go on forever. Below are some of the areas in which we work with.
Air Quality
Clean air is essential for our quality of life. Although air quality in the UK is good in general, the expansion of the transport and industry sectors have lead to unacceptable levels of air pollution in many urban centres that cause harm to human health and the environment.
Climate Change
The term climate change refers to the average weather experienced over a long period, usually 30 years. This includes not just temperature, but also wind and rainfall patterns. The climate of the earth is not static, and has changed many times in the past in response to a variety of natural causes.
The scientific consensus is that man made emissions from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil, are now giving rise to possible long term climatic effects. In the UK these include rising sea levels, changes in weather patterns and temperature rise exacerbating pollution problems in urban areas (source: UK Climate Impacts Programme).
Energy
Building operations and maintenance (such as heating, cooling, lighting and use of domestic appliances) account for a large percentage of energy consumption in the UK. Energy efficiency can be improved by purchasing appliances and equipment with high efficiency ratings, or by replacing traditional energy sources with renewable technologies. Careful and early consideration of the building fabric itself can make significant reductions in energy requirements.
Water
The abstraction, storage, use and treatment of water can have many negative impacts on habitats and wildlife. These issues are becoming more significant as the population grows and we consume more and more water. Climate change may also put increasing pressure on water resources.
Big on Energy Conference
Get Big on Energy!!
A climate tackling conference was staged in Southampton on June the 11th for the benefit of businesses and local authorities around the country. Read all about it here.
Document Summary
Summary of documents available on the right hand side of this page
A learning history of the Southampton District energy scheme
A story of collaboration and steady ambition - a Learning History in a series on the subject of "Innovation for Carbon Reduction" in or connected with Local Authorities. A jointly told tale by Margaret Gearty based on the perspectives and recollections of Bill Clark (Southampton City Council) and Mike Smith (Utilicom).
Energy Vision
Building on Southampton’s vision to be a leader in addressing climate change in The Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy (2004), the council will begin the transformation of Southampton into a low carbon city. This is so it can make a real contribution to reducing the impacts of climate change, which has been identified as the single most significant issue faced by the global community.
Sustainability Checklist
The Sustainability Checklist sets out key principles for sustainable development and can be used by applicants for planning permission or others to demonstrate compliance with the City of Southampton Local Plan Review policies SDP 13 and SDP 6. Completion of the checklist is required for residential schemes of 5 or more units or non-residential proposals in excess of 500 sq. m.
Guide to Sustainable Development
This document provides practical guidance for developers on achieving high quality design and construction. It complements the Southampton sustainability checklist to provide background information on the key sustainability issues to be addresses in planning applications.
Last updated: 14 July 2008
