ABSTRACT
Predictions for global warming made in the early 1970s are not dissimilar to figures now accepted and used as the basis of policy setting. While there is, in principal, international cooperation to tackle climate change, there is no reason for optimism. There is general agreement that buildings account for almost onethird of final energy consumption globally and an equivalent
proportion of CO2 emissions. For the construction industry to be part of the solution it is vital that there is improvement in the fundamental design of buildings, the efficiency with which energy is used in them and a shift to cleaner fuel sources. Space heating, ventilation and cooling are primary targets for improved efficiency but other contributory aspects such as the relationship to transport and amenity are also crucial and are dealt with under urban ecology. To make the most of the opportunities it is vital that issues are thought out at the earliest stages of design development by professionals willing to work together across traditional boundaries. Tackling existing buildings is a crucial part of the overall solution if we are to limit energy consumption to sustainable levels.
