Energy efficiency is widely regarded as the most important first step in making the transition to a low carbon economy. Whilst renewable energy and other measures are also vital components, energy efficiency ensures that valuable energy - whether it be heating, cooling, or electricity - is not wasted. There are numerous energy efficiency technologies, from insulation materials to a plethora of more efficient electrical devices, and more energy efficient vehicles. Explore these pages to find energy efficiency solutions that are right for you. - Description added by: David Lockie

A product or system is only as low carbon as the materials and components from which it is made. More and more, companies expect their suppliers to have strong corporate and social responsibility policies that meet their own high standards. A sustainable supply chain will ultimately increase profitability. - Description added by: David Lockie

A product or system is only as low carbon as the materials and components provided they do not increase during its life the overall environmental burden  with its maintenance and repair costs. - Description added by: Andrew Schofield

Food is essential to human existence and it is an integral part of a low carbon economy. Food miles, artificial fertilizers, organic production, mono cultures, food vs. fuel and industrialization are all issues for consideration in the wider context of ‘low carbon food’. Growing food increasingly relies on agro-industry using machinery, pesticides, artificial fertilizers and even genetic modification.

Even simple food crops now have significant embedded carbon factor, and the carbon cost of agriculture is further increased by factors such as clearing of natural habitats to make room for farming (and the subsequent loss of biodiversity), the use of mono cultures that damage the land (and cause future reliance on technologically-driven agriculture) and transportation of the produce. On the other hand, agriculture can also provide bio-fuels and biomass which are sure to play a part in the future energy mix. - 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