The internet and other modern communication networks are vital to the global economy, but they are also significant consumers of electricity and carbon producers – from the construction to the ongoing consumption (data centre construction is now limited by the lack of available power to keep them running). At the same time, they offer a route to reduce carbon production from transport and buildings as people can work from home or reduce their business travel. - Description added by: David Lockie

Renewable and alternative energy sources are set to play an increasingly important role in providing the electricity, heat, cooling and fuels that society needs. There is a wide range of energy sources such as solar (both photovoltaic and solar thermal), wind, bio-fuels and biomass, hydro-electric, geothermal and heat pumps. - Description added by: David Lockie

Communities consist of homes, businesses and sometimes industrial concerns, with infrastructure like health care, transport, communications, government and utilities. Many decisions about low carbon need to be considered at the community level in order to ensure that ‘joined-up thinking’ is applied to the process. Click the picture to the right to explore our interactive community environment. - Description added by: David Lockie