The Association for Environment-Conscious Building has put forward its new CarbonLite programme in the hopes that it will be adopted by architects and builders as best practice, or perhaps the government would consider including it within building regulations. As it stands, CarbonLite (”carbon literate” design) is a voluntary sustainable building programme with bronze, silver, gold and platinum standards for energy-conscious design and implementation. Designs are awarded points for high levels of insulation, advanced windows that have only 15% of the leakage of typical single-glazing, passive solar design, use of compact fluorescent lightbulbs, and on-site renewables to generate heat and light. The average house today leaks 73kg CO2/m2 each year. By implementing this programme, new homes subscribing to the gold-standard will emit only 4kg CO2/m2.

Source: Guardian Unlimited

Under the shadow of the Drax coal-fired power station, activists at the Camp for Climate Action began civil disobedience training yesterday. This is part of preparations for Thursday’s mass action which plans to shut down Drax. The training (and the camp itself) are open to the public, and people are urged to come down and participate. “We are already feeling the destructive effects of a climate which is in crisis, and the time for action is now. I urge people to come to the camp, learn more about climate change and ways to live sustainably. And perhaps even to help shut down Drax!” added Emma Pegg, 29, who just arrived at the camp from Leeds. Yesterday’s training focussed on “tools and tactics for blockading”, and groups met throughout the day to plan their contribution to the big day of mass action. Other workshops included “Climate science for kids”, and “How to count and cut your carbon”.

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In a move that can only delight the ethical consumer, the Co-operative Group has announced that it will be switching all of its outlets over to green electricity.  More than 3000 Co-op shops, as well as its Co-op Bank branches, Co-operative Insurance (CIS) and the company’s Manchester headquarters and UK distribution sites will use green energy.

As announced in the Green Consumer Guide:

The decision builds on the Co-op’s environmentally-friendly policies, which include GM-free foods and a range of ethically-orientated financial products.

The announcement comes after a three year agreement with Scottish Power, and will involve energy generated at the companies joint venture, the Coldham wind farm in Cambridgeshire.

“Our customers and members expect us to take a leading position in tackling climate change impacts. By choosing this approach we want our customers to benefit from a high quality shopping experience, which also addresses much wider environmental issues,” commented Group Chief Executive Martin Beaumont.

“All businesses need to undoubtedly address their impacts on climate change, but for a member-owned co-operative it’s an imperative,” added Mr. Beaumont.