Energy Planning Guidance

The Mayor of London has declared a climate emergency and has set an ambition for London to be net zero-carbon. The London Plan contains a range of climate mitigation policies, including a requirement for major developments to comply with the net zero-carbon target set out in Policy SI 2 by following the energy hierarchy and maximising on-site carbon reductions. The target requires a minimum on-site carbon reduction to be achieved and allows for any carbon shortfall to be paid as a cash-in-lieu contribution into the relevant local authority's carbon offset fund. All major development proposals must be accompanied by a detailed energy assessment to demonstrate how the net zero-carbon target will be met.

The Energy Assessment Guidance and Carbon Offset Fund Guidance are available to support planning applicants and local authorities in complying with the Mayor’s climate mitigation policies. Guidance is also available to support planning applicants and local authorities in complying with the ‘be seen’ policy (the requirement to monitor and report on energy performance post-construction) and the Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Assessment policy. The Mayor monitors progress against the climate mitigation policies and the collection of carbon offset funds annually.

Energy Assessment Guidance

The purpose of an energy assessment is to demonstrate that the proposed climate mitigation measures comply with the London Plan. It ensures that carbon reduction remains an integral part of the development’s design and evolution. The energy assessment must clearly outline the CO₂ savings that will be achieved and the measures that will be put in place to reduce energy demand.

The Energy Assessment Guidance 2022 provides information for planning applicants on how to comply with the London Plan climate mitigation policies. The Carbon Emissions Reporting Spreadsheet supports the guidance, and applicants are required to submit this along with their energy assessment. We have also published the Part L 2021 technical FAQs which will be updated regularly. The documents are for anyone involved in, or with an interest in, developing energy assessments including developers, energy consultants and local government officials. An EqIA is also available for the Energy Assessment Guidance.

Part L 2021 of national building regulations took effect on 15 June 2022. All planning applications submitted on or after 1 January 2023 are required to follow the 2022 guidance and spreadsheet. The Part L 2021 and the Energy Assessment Guidance 2022 – cover note summarises changes to the Energy Assessment Guidance and Carbon Emissions Reporting Spreadsheet made following the introduction of Part L 2021.  

If you have any questions about the guidance or the spreadsheet, please refer to the Part L 2021 technical FAQs first. For any other queries contact: [email protected].