AECB Conference 2005 - The Big Debate

The 2005 AECB Ecobuilding Conference is on 15th - 16th July at The Genesis Project, Somerset College of Arts and Technology, Taunton, Somerset. For more information download a PDF flyer and booking form.

As well as exhibiting with Greenshop Solar, Rainharvesting, Paints and Books, The Green Shop is taking an active role in organising "The Big Debate".

Roger Budgeon has been hard to put together an exciting and inspiring line up for The Big Debate. Although not finalised (7-Jun-05) the draft motion is:

"Is the planning system leading us to oblivion".

We believe the planning system needs to change in order to influence the shift to a low carbon economy. The residential sector contributes around 25% of carbon emissions and non-domestic stock a further 15%. The vast majority of energy use is heating and cooling, although lighting also has a significant contribution, as does the embedded energy in building materials and construction techniques.

The current line up of speakers is:

• Gavin Killip from the lower carbon futures team at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, responsible for the 40% House Project - see www.eci.ox.ac.uk/lowercf/40house.html
• Paul King or Joe Wheeler for WWF's One Million Sustainable Homes Campaign - see www.wwf.org.uk/sustainablehomes
• Rob Shaw the Policy Officer at the Town and Country Planning Association who'll be fresh from the TCPA conference "Accessible Centres – Sustainable Communities, what is the new PPS6 agenda" - see www.tcpa.org.uk/conference.htm
• Bill Dunster a leading eco-architect who is pioneering affordable zero-carbon housing. www.bedzed.org.uk www.zedfactory.com

  We hope the debate will be far reaching but some of the issues covered will include:

  • standards for thermal comfort and lighting that are acceptable for building users but minimise energy.
  • what to do with existing building stock that cannot be brought up to modern environmental standards.
  • the reuse of building materials and design with future reuse in mind.
  • integrated planning to encourage local and regional sustainability to minimise transport requirements.

  In addition to the Big Debate the AECB conference is always hugely inspiring, informative and a great networking opportunity. We hope it'll be bigger and busier than ever this year, so book your place early. see www.aecb.net