The first draft of the Planning Policy Position for Lower Embodied Carbon Homes and Buildings in Greater Essex is available to download here.

The draft policy has been collaboratively prepared with the Essex Authorities, led by the Climate and Planning Unit, and it is now published for feedback.  Please send any comments by 31st August 2025 to Climateplanningunit@essex.gov.uk

The draft policy takes forward the recommendations of the Embodied Carbon Policy Study for Essex (available to view here) and will supersede the interim ‘placeholder’ policy for embodied carbon that was included in the Planning Policy Position for Net Zero Carbon Development (Homes and Buildings) in Greater Essex (Nov 2023).  

The Whole Life Carbon impact of a development is made up of carbon emissions from the operation or use of a home or building, and carbon emissions that are embodied in the materials, processes, and construction of a home or building.

Once the Embodied Carbon Policy is finalised, an updated Planning Policy Position Paper that covers both Embodied Carbon and Operational Energy and Carbon (net zero) will be issued.