RPS presents at EA Conference to consider 'adapting to change'

The Environment Agency 2007 annual conference and exhibition was held at the QE2 centre in central London on 5/6 November. The theme was 'adapting to change': very topical given the east coast flooding concerns.

Politicians, senior officials and leading environmental experts, ably guided by the broadcaster Jon Snow, gave authoritative views on climate change and the implications for the economy, politics and the property sector. The RPS stand was prominent in the large exhibition area, and was well supported by staff from RPS offices. RPS also hosted two well-attended delegate seminars. On Monday the theme was 'Climate change: can planning live up to the challenge'. RPS and speakers from the RTPI, RSPB and Environment Agency considered how the planning system might better deal with the implications of climate change. On Tuesday the RPS Property and Construction seminar looked at the environmental progress being made with the planning, design, construction and operations of property assets. The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Town and Country Planning Association, Greater London Authority, and RPS gave linked presentations that assessed whether property owners and developers are getting an adequate act together fast enough to deal with climate change implications.

The main message was that the technology and affordability are in reasonable shape; it is more a matter of raising awareness and taking responsibility. This seems particularly so with retro-fitting older property to improve performance, which is perhaps a bigger priority than targeting new developments, and the presentations provided an interesting insight of what might be achieved at a relatively low cost for individual home-owners and occupiers.

Note:
To see the RPS presentation on Property and Construction please click here.

For more information please contact:
RPS Birmingham - Planning & Development
T: +44 (0)121 213 5500
RPS Swindon - Planning & Development
T: +44 (0) 1793 818 100