Essex Climate and Planning
To deliver sustainable and healthy communities in Greater Essex, we need to make sure homes and buildings are designed to be of high architectural quality and are highly energy efficient, have low running costs, incorporate renewable energy technologies, use materials and resources efficiently and are as resilient as possible to changes in climate.
Building in this way means that we deliver wider objectives including energy security, reducing fuel poverty, stimulating local economic growth, minimising waste, and improving the health, comfort, and wellbeing of people living and working in Essex, as well as the business economy.
The local district planning authorities, through the Essex Planning Officers Association (EPOA) led by the Built Environment Planning Unit* at Essex County Council, have worked together to establish evidence-led planning policies, guidance and advice to deliver healthy, affordable to run, resource efficient, climate resilient homes and buildings in Greater Essex.
So far, we have established evidence and policies on the following topics:
- Operational Energy and Carbon (net zero) in homes and buildings; and
- Embodied Carbon and Circular Economy in homes and buildings.
The policies are recommended to be embedded in local plans, strategies and other planning documents that guide development in Greater Essex. In doing so, this responds to the work of the Essex Climate Action Commission and aims, objectives and targets of Essex County Council and other Greater Essex Local Authorities.
*formerly the Climate and Planning Unit. The Unit has been renamed to reflect a widening in the scope of topics and types of development covered. The prime focus of the Unit remains on improving the quality, resource efficiency and resilience of new development delivered through the planning system and making sure this is in a way that secures wider wellbeing benefits for people, communities, and the Greater Essex economy and environment. The common link for the Unit’s work is the built environment.
Click on the following links to explore the evidence, policy statements, and guidance and advice.
Page updated: 27/04/2026