Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 60
60
Accepted in Part
Planning qualifications fail to adequately equip professionals with carbon literacy and ecological knowledge
Recommendation
Planning qualifications do not adequately equip professionals with sufficient levels of carbon literacy or ecological knowledge. This undermines planning officers’ ability to fully consider environmental factors in their decision making. To ensure that climate resilience, carbon emissions and ecology are fully incorporated into planning decisions, training on climate change and ecology must be incorporated as core components in planning qualifications and training courses. (Conclusion, Paragraph 203)
Government Response Summary
The government rejected mandatory training or a review of planning qualifications, but will work with the Planning Advisory Service to develop continuous professional development modules in ecology, carbon literacy and climate change, and provide funding for training.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
111. The Government has no plans to develop mandatory training in ecology and the decarbonisation of buildings, or review current planning qualifications to ensure they adequately test knowledge of ecology and carbon literacy. As independent bodies, local planning authorities have to make decisions about where to prioritize their resources and training when carrying out their planning functions. 112. Nonetheless, the established Planning Capacity and Capability programme is developing a wider programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector, to ensure that local planning authorities have the skills and capacity they need to support the environment. Recommendation 37: In addition, we recommend that the Government works with the Planning Advisory Service to develop suitable continuous professional development modules in ecology, carbon literacy and climate change, for qualified planning professionals and support their delivery through local authorities. These should be in place by September 2026. (Paragraph 206, page 76) Government Response: 113. Through MHCLG’s Planning Capacity and Capability Programme, we are already providing around £2.8 million to PAS in 2025–26 to deliver specialist training, peer learning and tailored guidance for local planning authorities. PAS currently delivers a wide range of technical support and training, including on BNG, nutrient neutrality, design and placemaking, and wider planning reform. We are currently developing delivery plans for a continued programme beyond this financial year but expect there to be a continued focus on environmental support. 114. PAS has also established a coaching and mentoring framework and a leadership essentials programme, helping planners at all levels build capability and confidence in managing complex environmental issues. These programmes continue to evolve in response to sector needs. 115. We will continue to work with PAS as we develop plans for the next three years and explore opportunities to strengthen continuous professional development for planners, including modules related to ecology, carbon literacy and climate change.