An overview of the one planet challenge - looking at using resources sustainably - and how this can apply to and benefit your new build project.
Presention for Ecobuild 2011 by Nicole Lazarus Communities Technical Manager at BioRegional.
What does one planet living look like and how can you embed it into your new build project?
1. What does one planet living look like and how can you embed it into your new build project? Ecobuild – 2 nd March 2011 Nicole Lazarus, Julie Codet-Boisse, Joanna Marshall-Cook
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3. Brighton Portugal South Africa China Canada San Francisco Washington DC London Sutton UAE One planet communities across the world www.oneplanetvision.org
Environmental charity that develops practical solutions to sustainability problems Business approach Working with partners to develop award winning award winning solutions
As Europeans, we currently consume resources at a rate which, if everyone in the world lived as we do, would mean that we would need 3 planets right now (if Americans, would need 5) => how can we reduce consumption so that the resources we require do not exceed one planet if everyone else had the same lifestyle
As we’ve seen the Uk is currently at 3 planet level. Our aim is that people should live happy healthy lives within their fair share of the earth’s resources, and leave some space for wildlife and wilderness. Based on this, we’ve developed the holistic sustainability framework One Planet Living. Average UK ecological footprint = 5.45 Gha /person / yr (REAP) This shows a more detailed breakdown for the UK as to where these resources are being used. Ecological Footprinting data modelled by BioRegional using REAP, provided by Stockholm Environment Institute. Key Homes and energy are responsible for 22% of our Ecological Footprint. This includes gas and electricity consumption, and the building and maintenance of our homes. Transport is 14% and is due to fuel consumption, car ownership and public transport. Food and drink account for 21% - this includes food consumed at home or out at restaurants or other catering establishments. Goods means any products we purchase, including durable large household objects such as furniture and appliances and smaller products such as newspapers, clothing, electronics. Services means any service that we consume such as recreation, financial, telephone, insurance, private schools and private medical care. Government includes central and local government impacts, the NHS, schools, universities and social services. Factories and buildings (capital assets) covers investment in capital assets such as factories, machinery, transport equipment, and other buildings and structures. This includes both the business sector and government.
I’m not an expert. Mostly about happiness. But the two are linked anyway so it’s cool.
We have broken down the means of achieving One Planet Living into 10 principles. This is a holistic approach to sustainability covering environmental and social economic issues. One Planet Living is based on ten guiding principles of sustainability developed by BioRegional and WWF
Retrofitting homes: energy conservation, energy generation, behaviour change
I’m not an expert. Mostly about happiness. But the two are linked anyway so it’s cool.
Ensure that we make it easier for people to do the right thing: recylcing facilities in kitchens, composting bins in gardens, reduced construction waste when doing retrofit
Making it easy for people in their daily commutes: going to work, to shops, etc. => needs cycles lanes, cycle storage, car clubs, public transport and having local facilities (shops etc)
Lots of materials used in retrofitting projects (insulations etc, conversion, refurbishments) use materials which have lots of embodied energy (actual amount of energy required to produce, package and transport the material and disposal – cradle to cradle)=> re-use materials, recycled materials and natural content materials. Use concrete with recycled content, cellulose insulation, timber windows, etc Also addresses pollution and toxicity (PVC etc) Design to allow for materials to be re-used at the end of their current use
Locally produced, seasonal, organic/unsprayed => improve access for people to grow some of their own food so they also understand the process involved and potentially reduce waste; refurbishment projects to include kitchen (eg hospitals); schools to have organic locally produced food
Retrofitting is easy and reduces energy bills: lowflow taps and showers, dual flush WC, smaller bath, education; landscaping to avoid irrigation
Leave a part of the garden undisturbed for wildlife; logs for hedgehogs and insects; pond; not use chemicals in garden; encourage local community to take part in preservation actions but also people to do nature observation activities, etc
Encourage intergeneration community activities Advertising local events
Using local labour force and training them for local projects (e.g. Retrofitting)
Encourage people to walk more and be more physically active Have good lighting in properties Organise community events