The Embodied Carbon and Circular Economy Planning Policy Statement (October 2025) for Greater Essex sets out Policy GE2: Embodied Carbon and Circular Economy in homes and buildings and is available to download here.

 It should be read and implemented alongside the Operational Energy and Carbon (Net Zero) Planning Policy Statement (October 2025) for Greater Essex which sets out Policy GE1: Operational Energy and Carbon (Net Zero) in homes and buildings and is available here.   

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.

 It is important that both sources of emissions are minimised in new homes and buildings to help Essex and the UK, as a whole, mitigate and adapt to climate change and meet climate targets.  There are wider benefits too, for example relating to health and well-being, the energy system, local economy and environment.

The planning policy statements address both types of emissions and aim to deliver healthy, efficient, climate resilient, homes and buildings in Greater Essex. 

The Planning Policy Statements are the result of collaborative working between all the Greater Essex Local Planning Authorities on a comprehensive, robust, technical and legal evidence base and shared experience and scrutiny through local plan consultations and examinations.  The work stream has been led by the Climate and Planning Unit, at Essex County Council, under the steer and guidance of the Essex Planning Officers Association.

Embodied Carbon and Circular Economy

The Planning Policy Statement sets out the recommended planning policy for Local Planning Authorities in Greater Essex to embed in their Local Plans (and other associated planning documents) to ensure that all new homes and buildings are designed and constructed using materials and resources efficiently, minimising waste, and use high quality, natural and locally sourced, low carbon materials where possible.  This approach not only aligns with local and national climate targets but helps stimulate and deliver local economic and health benefits.

The policy is based on robust, sound evidence which is available, and specifically for embodied carbon available here.

Policy GE2 replaces the previous iteration of the ‘placeholder’ policy (Policy NZ2) included in the November 2023 ‘Planning Policy Position for Net Zero Carbon Homes and Buildings in Greater Essex’ and the ‘Draft Essex Embodied Carbon Policy Position’ published for feedback in July 2025.  (For transparency, both documents are listed under archived documents below). 

 Downloads:

Policy GE2 - Embodied Carbon and Circular Economy Planning Policy Statement for Greater Essex – October 2025

 

Archived Documents:

Net Zero Carbon Planning Policy for Greater Essex - November 2023.pdf - Placeholder Policy

Planning Policy Position for Lower Embodied Carbon Homes and Buildings in Greater Essex - July 2025