Green agenda
These are disappointing times for the sustainability industry. High hopes for a meaningful global deal at December’s Copenhagen climate change summit fell flat. Then, a series of scientific scandals poured fuel on the fire of the climate change sceptics. Finally the UK government still hasn’t defined zero carbon.
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The public might be forgiven for thinking that saving the planet is off the agenda. They would, of course, be wrong.
UK councils for one have no choice but to forge ahead regardless. Come April all local authorities, along with larger housing associations and other sizeable public and private bodies, must comply with a new cap-and-trade carbon emissions scheme. They will become both legally and financially bound to curb energy use. Our main feature (page 14) explores the resulting challenge councils in particular face and asks whether they are up to it.
In fact, many authorities are already working hard. Brent Council, for example, is embracing another new government initiative, feed-in tariffs.
Meanwhile, North Kesteven Council is proving small rural authorities can innovate too with its straw bale development.
This magazine is doing its bit to move with the times, with a new name for the new year - it’s goodbye to Footprint and hello to Sustainable Housing. Let’s hope we can put recent disappointments behind us too.
Caroline Thorpe, acting editor, Sustainable Housing