WWF propaguje udržitelná společenství

9.6.2005
[WWF]
Autor: Robin Clegg, tel: +44 117 317 9431

A vision to develop communities for a sustainable future is set to be unveiled by WWF and BioRegional Development Group this week at the Grand Designs Live Show in London’s docklands.

The 'One Planet Living' concept is aimed at building flagship sustainable communities around the world, including in London’s Thames Gateway. The community is intended to be built within easy reach of the capital and will be the first zero-carbon, zero-waste community in the country, offering an unrivalled quality of life at affordable prices.

The community will go beyond buildings to also address important lifestyle impacts and will adhere to the One Planet Living principles, whereby people can live within their fair share of the earth’s resources.

Currently, the ecological footprint of London, or the amount of land required to sustain how much it consumes, is 120 times the city’s area.

Aside from building a place for people to live, the community will also house shops, healthcare, businesses, farmers markets, cafes, and pubs creating the UK’s first One Planet Living' community.

It will use the latest technology to give the lowest running costs in terms of electricity, heating, cooling, and water, and will address lifestyle areas of waste, transport, and food. Homes will be built in a wide range of styles to suit single people and families of all ages and incomes.

“What WWF and others are doing shows that you don’t have to live in a hut or tree house to do your bit for the planet," said Grand Designs presenter and show organizer Kevin McCloud.

“As developers start to think more creatively about the homes they design, sustainable living will increasingly become essential for all of us."

WWF believes that both the British government and the house-building industry can help by taking the lead in on adopting a high environmentalemtnal standards in the construction of new homes.

“More than half of all natural resources consumed globally are used in the construction industry and more than half of all the energy used goes into constructing and running buildings," said Paul King, Campaign Director for WWF’s One Million Sustainable Homes campaign.

“In the UK around 27 per cent of carbon emissions come from our homes, which means improving standards of energy efficiency will play a vital part in our bid to tackle climate change."

NOTES:

• In July 2004 research revealed that 87 per cent of homebuyers want to know how their homes rate in terms of environmental friendliness in order to make an informed decision as part of this major purchase. The research was carried out by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, HBOS plc (the parent company of Halifax) and WWF.

• One Planet Living is an initiative of WWF and Bioregional. The 10 One Planet Living Principles are: zero carbon; zero waste; sustainable transport; sustainable materials; local and sustainable food; sustainable water; natural habitats and wildlife; culture and heritage; equity and fair trade; and health and happiness

• BioRegional are partners in the Peabody Trust’s BedZED eco-village designed by Bill Dunster Architects. BioRegional and WWF are now working with other partners around the world, work will begin on the first One Planet Living community in Portugal early next year.

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