New regional and local development plans must be "climate proofed" with binding carbon dioxide reduction targets and adaptation measures to help communities withstand extreme climate impacts including flood risk, campaigners say.
Friends of the Earth and the Town and Country Planning Association are calling for the move in a "mock" planning policy statement on climate change published ahead of the first Government draft due later this year.
It is supported by more than 20 experts, businesses and campaign groups.
It says Regional Spatial Strategies should set out the principles for low and zero carbon development and actively promote low and zero carbon energy sources.
This in turn will help stimulate technological innovation and should not be seen as an inflexible prohibition on development. Local Development Frameworks can then set targets within the RSS framework.
TCPA chief executive Gideon Amos said: "Climate change is no longer an environmental issue; it is a global imperative with consequences for the national economy and social security. We need to make lifestyle changes now and on a huge scale, which means we all have a part to play.
"It doesn't all come down to planning, but planners can make a hugely positive contribution towards moving us towards a zero carbon future and helping us adapt to harmful impacts such as flood risk, drought and heat waves."
Friends of the Earth campaigner on planning Hugh Ellis said: "As well as a new climate law called for in our Big Ask campaign, tough new rules are needed to reduce the impact that regional and local developments have on climate change.
"The industry needs a clear trajectory, up to and including mid-century, setting milestone targets for cross-sector carbon dioxide reduction."
