Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Not Addressed
Amend draft NNNPS to define 'residual' greenhouse gas emissions and provide clear guidance.
Recommendation
The draft revised NNNPS should be amended to provide a definition of, and clear and comprehensive guidance on, “residual” greenhouse gas emissions. This definition must make it possible to distinguish clearly between “residual” and unacceptable increases in emissions from an NSIP. (Paragraph 32) 26 Draft revised National Policy Statement for National Networks
Government Response Summary
The government discusses commitments to protect biodiversity and geological interests and the reinstatement of a paragraph concerning mitigation of harmful aspects of development, but does not address the specific recommendation to define 'residual' greenhouse gas emissions.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The government recognises the need to protect and enhance biodiversity and geological conservation interests, and the revised NNNPS reflects the commitments within the 25 Year Environment Plan. The TSC report refers to the removal of paragraph 5.29 in the draft revised NNNPS: “The Secretary of State should ensure that the applicant’s proposals to mitigate the harmful aspects of the development and, where possible, to ensure the conservation and enhancement of the site’s biodiversity or geological interest, are acceptable”. This has been reinstated at paragraph 5.61 into the revised NNNPS to provide clarity to applicants, as the removal of the wording means it could be interpreted that impacts cannot be mitigated or that mitigation should not be provided, which was not our intention.