Emissions Mitigation Assessments
Identification and evaluation of measures to reduce or offset your emissions.
An Emissions Mitigation Assessment is usually required where:
- An air quality assessment identifies adverse or potentially significant impacts
- A development is located in an area of existing poor air quality
- The local planning authority requires mitigation as part of planning conditions
- Air quality neutrality or compliance with policy benchmarks cannot be achieved without additional measures
What is an Emissions Mitigation Assessment?
An emissions mitigation assessment is a study used to identify and quantify measures required to reduce or offset air pollutant emissions from a proposed development. It is typically undertaken alongside an air quality assessment or air quality impact assessment where mitigation is needed to make a scheme acceptable in planning terms.
What does an Emissions Mitigation Assessment include?
The emissions mitigation assessment typically:
- Quantifies development-generated emissions, often using the latest Emission Factor Toolkit (EFT)
- Calculates the level of mitigation required to reduce impacts to acceptable levels
- Identifies and evaluates site-specific mitigation measures
- May include a damage cost calculation to assign a financial value to residual emissions using the latest Defra damage cost guidance
Mitigation measures can include:
- Energy efficiency and low emission building design
- Electric vehicle infrastructure and sustainable transport measures
- Low emission boilers or heat pumps
- Construction and operational management plans
What is the purpose?
The purpose of an emissions mitigation assessment is to ensure that a development:
- Minimises its impact on local air quality
- Complies with planning policy and UK air quality objectives
- Incorporates effective and proportionate mitigation measures
Where on-site mitigation is not sufficient, a financial contribution may be required to offset residual emissions, in line with local authority guidance.
