“green alliance... issue autumn 06 14 “…how can we “…water bills were “with China planning possibly say that cut by a whopping to build 400 new sustainable 40 per cent: cities in the next communities are all for an outlay of 20 years, Dongtan’s ‘unaffordable’?” 20 quid” success is of crucial TRACK importance” INSIDE 81014 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Can we afford not to? TRACK INSIDE The quarterly magazine of Green Alliance comment Edited by Tracy Carty Designed by Carruthers and Hobbs Ltd Printed by Seacourt Press Ltd September 2006 Green Alliance All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, Tracy Carty or transmitted, in any form or by any means, policy officer without the prior permission in writing of Green Alliance. Within the UK, exceptions are allowed Green Alliance in respect of any fair dealing for the purposes of private research or study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patent Act, 1988, or in the case of reprographic Like sustainable development, sustainable communities can be described as reproduction in accordance with the terms of the licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. a three-legged stool, integrating economic, environmental and social factors. But whilst the sustainable development metaphorical stool has always been wobbly, in the case of sustainable communities it is almost missing a leg. Produced with support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. In the implementation of the government's plans to build sustainable communities, environmental considerations have tended to rank below economic and social factors. The dominant concern has been the need for new affordable housing in areas of high demand, mainly the south east. Higher environmental standards and the need to address environmental impacts have often been regarded as separate from - and even at odds with - this (valid) ambition. Thankfully, this is changing, as the government gradually recognises the potential of large-scale investment to transform contents markets and bring down costs. But despite progress, there is still palpable caution when it comes to going further faster. comment 2 Green Alliance soapbox series 3 In this edition of Inside Track, we hear from a range of commentators on the best of times? or the worst sustainable communities. Pete Halsall outlines BioRegional Quintain’s work of times? to create a series of low carbon sustainable communities, which will set the Stephen Hale 4 tone for what can be achieved at modest additional cost. Peter Head reports on the pioneering Dongtan eco-city, which could become a model for groundhog day? Rebekah Phillips 6 sustainable urban design in China and elsewhere in the world. Allan Jones sets out a practical strategy for a sustainable energy future based on comprehensive spending review decentralised energy, and reports on progress towards achieving this vision Hannah Hislop 7 in London. And finally, Nicci Russell comments on progress on water affordability and sustainable efficiency in the UK. communities Pete Halsall 8 As ever, we also have plenty of other work to report on at Green Alliance. go slow on the H2O Two months into post, director Stephen Hale assesses the new prominence Nicci Russell 10 of the environmental agenda in British politics and offers his thoughts on the challenges ahead. You can also read about Green Alliance’s response to the decentralised energy: turning Energy Review and future energy work, our soap box series of debates taking green into gold place this autumn on critical issues in environmental policy and politics, as Allan Jones 12 well as our work to green the Comprehensive Spending Review. which way China? Peter Head 14 As the articles in this issue show, the way our homes and communities are designed and built - transport, energy, water supply, waste disposal and other infrastructure - can lock us into unsustainable lifestyles or can enable us to live more sustainably. Given the scale and urgency of the environmental challenges we now face, the priority for government should The views of contributors are not necessarily not be whether we can afford to build communities that are truly those of Green Alliance. sustainable, but whether we can afford not to. green alliance soap boxseries autumn 2006 Green Alliance’s soap box series of debates will be a chance to expose and reflect on four critical current issues in environmental policy and politics. 13 September: November: Labour’s climate scorecard: verdict and lessons learned Prospects for European leadership on the environment speakers: Europe has been a powerful driving force for Francis Sullivan environmental adviser, HSBC environmental improvement in the UK and Mark Kenber policy director, Climate Group internationally. But the climate of the European debate Mark Lynas campaigner, author of High Tide: on environmental issues has shifted in recent years, news from a warming world partly as a result of business hostility to European Stephen Hale director, Green Alliance regulation. Where do we go from here? The first debate will take stock on climate change, after nine years of a Labour government whose overwhelming environmental priority has been climate change. December: Discussion will focus on two questions: how much has Environmental regulation: in whose interest? been achieved during these nine years? And critically, what lessons are there for our own future strategy as Regulation has been critical to progress on the well as for the approach that future prime ministers environment over the past 20 years. But there is now (of whatever party) should adopt? much criticism of the effect of environmental regulation. Civil society and progressive business voices are also making themselves heard. Where do we go from here? Is there a case for radical reform, as the Conservatives have 11 October: hinted? Or does the de-regulation agenda threaten the Greening the people: how do we secure a step change progress we have made to-date? How can we strengthen in public environmental action? the progressive coalitions and voices in this debate? speakers (provisional): Fiona Reynolds director general, National Trust Chris Rose environmental campaigner and communications consultant Deborah Mattinson joint chief executive, Opinion Leader Research Centrica speaker From household recycling to organic food, the profile of individual action to reduce environmental impacts is growing fast. But we need a step change in the scale and impact of such action. David Miliband has made this a All events will be held at a central London venue. major focus since he became Secretary of State. They will all start at 18:30. Government plays a critical role in shaping the framework within which behavioural choices are made. If you are interested in attending please contact But how can the environmental movement and our Kathryn Cook at [email protected] supporters in the private sector maximise their or 020 7233 7433. contribution to accelerating positive trends in public behaviour? Green Alliance is very grateful to Centrica for their sponsorship of this series of events. “3 the best of times? or the worst of times? Stephen Hale director of Green Alliance I am delighted to partners as we consider our future Cameron’s call to “Vote blue go green” have joined Green approach and priorities. Just how was a major part of the pre-election Alliance, different are things today? debate. particularly at a time when the Cameron and the best of times But what is going on here? Cameron’s environmental Let’s explore the optimistic emphasis on the environment is not of agenda has interpretation first - through a tale of course success in itself, and the issue acquired a welcome three elections. The 2005 General is being used partly to symbolise that new prominence. Twelve months ago Election was a low-point, with almost he is building a very different the prospects for placing the no environmental dimension to a Conservative Party. Prior to becoming environment at the centre of public narrow and uninspiring few weeks. leader, he had shown almost no visible and political debate seemed bleak. The Liberal Democrats did highlight signs of commitment. But if a poor Many in the environmental movement their environmental agenda. But the track record is a barrier to entry we will feel much more optimistic today. David two main parties had clearly concluded never swell our ranks. His commitment Cameron’s decision to make the that there was little to be gained from and the profile that he has brought are environment and quality of life a this, and the environment was very welcome. defining part of his leadership of the squeezed out. Conservative Party has given our cause a new political and media profile. Then came another election - for the leadership of the Conservative Party. But does this new political competition David Cameron’s decision to focus on and accompanying media coverage the environment has at long last actually represent real progress? created some real competition for the Pessimists argue that the prospects of mantle of environmental leadership. change on the scale and speed For the first time since 1997, the “The political competition necessary are no better today than government is under serious political for environmental they were 12 months ago. A hard- pressure on this agenda. Hallelulah. leadership is great news headed analysis of our current position The 2005 local elections demonstrated is critical for Green Alliance and our the progress that is being made. for all of us” “4 draw on their recommendations. The regulation agenda, for example. Unless shifts necessary to deliver on a radical these shackles are removed, it remains environmental agenda can come then, as hard as ever to see how either of they claim. the main parties can deliver on an ambitious environmental agenda. In the meantime of course, Cameron’s initiatives are putting pressure on Synthesis Labour to deliver on their existing For Green Alliance, there is truth in environmental goals and to develop an both these interpretations.