Heating and cooling are typically extremely energy intensive technologies. In the United Kingdom the majority of heating in our homes and buildings is provided by burning natural gas. Renewable energy technologies such as solar heating, or heat pumps provide a sustainable low carbon alternative. Condensing boilers, and combined heat and power (CHP) also offer significant energy savings. In this circumstance energy that would have otherwise been wasted (which happens in traditional power plants) is instead used by the local community via a district heating scheme. Alternatively, a micro CHP system (such as a residential fuel cell, or Stirling engine) produces both electricity and heat to serve a local heat demand i.e. for a particular building. Energy efficiency technologies such as low carbon ventilation solutions can reduce the energy demands of buildings. - Description added by: David Lockie

Historically, marine transport harnessed the power of wind and/or people to transport goods, foods and people in bulk around the planet.

Modern shipping relies heavily on fossil-fuelled vessels which are more predictable, but have a much higher carbon cost. Renewable energy resources such as sun, wind and wave power are highly abundant at sea, so it should be possible to make better use of these resources in the future.

The oceans and seas of the world are an important part of the global carbon cycle and their potential for helping us redress the carbon balance is exciting. However, the effect of increased atmospheric carbon could also damage marine life (increasing acidity in the oceans could make it hard for organisms to maintain their exoskeletons for example). - Description added by: David Lockie