Merton Rule

The Merton Rule requires the use of renewable energy onsite to reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the built environment. It was pioneered by the London Borough of Merton.

On the 8 June 2006 the Merton Rule was supported by Yvette Cooper, the Minister for Housing and Planning. She announced that "Government expects all planning authorities to include policies in their development plans that require a percentage of the energy in new developments to come from onsite renewables".