The proposals, which include towns of up to 15,000 new homes across the UK, make use of brownfield land such as former industrial sites and will not affect green belt land.
The climate change agenda has created a large market for technologies and products designed to tackle climate change
The climate change agenda has created a large market for technologies and products designed to tackle climate change.
Sustainable technologies will be a key element of the developments with each application including opportunities for business investment as well as a secondary school and retail centre.
Housing minister Caroline Flint said that the move towards eco-towns will help in the effort to reduce carbon emissions.
UK green energy sector
The UK is fast developing its reputation as a global leader on climate change. Read more about opportunities in the energy and waste management sector.
"Some really innovative green ideas have been proposed […] using the waste heat from nearby power stations to heat homes and businesses," the minister commented.
However, she stressed the government's commitment to finding groundbreaking solutions to the problem of climate change and said the towns must "meet the highest standards possible for sustainability, affordability and creativity".
A three-month consultation process will now begin with the final shortlist being published later this year.
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