Themes 

Energy & Transport 

Sustainable energy is about reducing the carbon footprint of the generation, distribution and consumption of energy and the design, construction and use of transport.
Reducing the carbon footprint of the energy “chain” is a vast subject area including topics such as: renewables versus fossil and nuclear fuels; local combined heat and power versus national grid distribution networks; more efficient domestic appliances; thermal insulation and design of buildings; rechargeable batteries and local domestic power generation.

Sustainable travel is about reducing the amount of energy we use to get around, such as petrol and electricity, to make better use of our limited natural resources. We can achieve this by walking and cycling more, and using public transport instead of our own cars. In addition, through more localisation of goods and services achieved through town planning the need to travel in the first place can be reduced. Reducing the carbon footprint of transport systems includes topics such as: electric/hybrid/biofuel versus petrol powered vehicles; journey sharing schemes; more efficient route planning; town planning.

 Food & Water 


Sustainable food is about reducing the carbon footprint of the food “chain” – all the way from growing to consumption to waste and by product. This is a huge subject area including topics such as: producing food locally; organically grown produce; healthy cooking; healthy eating; recycling/reclaiming food waste; water preservation; opening up non-traditional growing areas; CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and the new Italian Slow Food movement.

Built Environment 

The aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment “chain” – that is the amount of energy used in designing, constructing and in using our buildings over their lifetime and their deconstruction and disposal at the end of their lives. The subject area includes topics such as: carbon neutral homes; plants on roofs; compost toilets; straw bale construction; bricks versus stone; urban reclamation – using and adapting existing buildings; locally sourced versus imported building materials; use of topography.

Social Enterprise

Sustainability and social enterprise is about creating organisations with aims which meet the needs of the community in an environmentally (i.e. low carbon consumption), social and financially sustainable way. A Social Enterprise will reinvested any surpluses either back into the business or use them in a way that will benefit the community directly. A good example is Recycle Fife, http://recyclefife.org.uk  and The Clean Close Company Ltd in Dundee.


 
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