Cabe calls on government to toughen green rules for councils

Architectural watchdog CABE has called for the government to make carbon reduction targets compulsory for local authorities and to improve the energy performance of central government buildings.

The call is contained in a report which forms part of a new CABE initiative called Sustainable Cities which aims to improve the sustainability of cities at strategic level.

The report sets out the types of policies needed to create low carbon cities. This includes tackling carbon emissions at neighbourhood level by creating sustainable neighbourhood schemes, integrating transport, service delivery and spatial plans and greater integration of planning.

A new website, www.sustainablecities.org.uk offers practical guidance on how to create more sustainable cities. It includes help on leadership, waste, infrastructure, transport and energy by outlining policy options and detail on how to implement this. It also contains case studies.