Planning and climate change guidance: research report issue 3

3 Research Methodology

3.1 Desk Based Research

3.1.1. WSP conducted desk-based research to identify relevant information sources, tools, methods, and approaches that could be used to successfully support the delivery of NPF4 Policy 2a in the planning process. This research was not intended to be exhaustive; it aimed instead to identify example approaches to assessing and managing whole life carbon in developments.

3.2 Stakeholder Engagement

3.2.1. To further develop the understanding of the approaches currently being used to assess WLC emissions of developments and to evidence a minimisation of those emissions through design, WSP conducted interviews with several key stakeholders from across the planning process. This included a variety of developers across the built environment as well as Local Authorities and planning officers.

3.2.2. WSP also conducted surveys with a range of relevant stakeholders from both sides of the planning process: one survey to those developing buildings and infrastructure and one to those assessing the WLC applications through the planning process. The survey was designed to understand common approaches to both evidencing minimisation of WLC emissions of developments as well as to assessing planning applications in line with NPF4 Policy 2a), including what information sources, tools and methods or approaches were being deployed.

3.2.3. WSP’s carbon management knowledge and expertise has also been utilised to identify which of the possible tools, methods and approaches are both appropriate and may be practicably implemented to assess whole life carbon through the planning process.

3.2.4. Stakeholders engaged with in varying capacities include:

• Architecture and Design Scotland
• Cala Homes
• Federation of Master Builders
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Heads of Planning Scotland
• Homes for Scotland
• Institute of Structural Engineers
• Key Agencies Group
• Link Group
• Mobile UK
• Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
• Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
• Royal Town Planning Institute
• Scottish Futures Trust
• Scottish Government
• Scottish Land and Estates
• Scottish Planning Consultants Forum
• Scottish Renewables
• Scottish Tourism Alliance
• Scottish Property Federation
• Scottish Sea Farms
• Sustainable Scotland Network
• Wheatley Group
• Zero Waste Scotland.