Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Fifth Report - Heat resilience and sustainable cooling
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 279
Published 31 January 2024
Recommendations
3
Rejected
Para 35
Nature-based solutions are crucial for cooling, but the green infrastructure framework lacks wide implementation.
Recommendation
Nature-based solutions to climate change, such as parks, trees, water bodies and green infrastructure, have significant cooling effects as well as multiple co-benefits (for example, for health, wellbeing, air quality, flood resilience and biodiversity). Increasing the amount of green space …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the benefits of green infrastructure but states that primary responsibility for expanding urban green space lies with local authorities and declines to mandate the Green Infrastructure Framework. It references existing funds but rejects central intervention or mandating action.
7
Rejected
Para 56
Mandate post-occupancy evaluation for all measures taken under Building Regulations Part O.
Recommendation
We recommend that measures taken under Part O should be subject to post-occupancy evaluation within the first year of their installation.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation for post-occupancy evaluation under Part O, stating there are no current plans for its inclusion. However, they are seeking feedback through a call for evidence on potential omissions or issues, which may inform future updates.
14
Rejected
Para 75
Launch a Minister-led public information campaign on heatwave threats and human health impacts.
Recommendation
While sources of accurate, reliable and helpful guidance on dealing with extreme heat do exist, this information does not appear always to be reaching everyone who needs it, leading to avoidable health harms. We raised this issue in our 2018 …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to launch a new Minister-led public information campaign, arguing that general campaigns may be less effective. Instead, they highlighted ongoing significant progress in publishing guidance and coordinating existing messaging with partners, focusing on vulnerable groups and tailored communications.
21
Rejected
Appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience to drive coordinated cross-government action effectively.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience to act as a focal point and drive forward coordinated action across government departments, local government, community sector stakeholders and the private sector in this area. (Paragraph 100) …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to appoint a lead Minister for Heat Resilience, stating that existing Lead Government Department structures and Defra's Minister for Nature already provide the necessary coordination and oversight for climate adaptation.