On a Global basis, the provision and maintenance of Infrastructure such as buildings, roads, railways, airports, water and electricity facilities is responsible for a very substantial part of the energy we use, and of the CO2 emissions we are responsible for. Any plan to contain global warming needs to take into account measures to improve the energy efficiency of infrastructure, and to seek to minimise the amount of “embedded CO2” associated with its provision. Embedded CO2 is a term that refers to emissions arising from mining, manufacture and construction of everything used in the provision of infrastructure, and also includes provision for any lost carbon sinks such as when trees are cut down to build a road.

‘Developing nations need our assistance to upgrade their infrastructure without compromising the climate on which we all depend.’

Our solutions look to a mixture of New Materials and Methods, improved Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies. Materials might reasonably include recycled waste, local farm residues such as straw and low carbon substitutes for concrete. Energy efficiency can be greatly improved by a combination of efficient appliances, reduction of water demand, reuse of water, good insulation and well designed ventilation systems in commercial buildings to reduce or remove the need for air conditioning. Energy demand can then be met at least in part on site by Solar Hot Water Panels, Photovoltaic Panels, bio-mass boilers, and in suitable locations by on site wind turbines.

Infrastructure Technical Overview
The Infrastructure Sector is aimed at mitigating climate change and other environmental problems at the collective infrastructure level. For example, you could build every house and office block to high energy efficiency standards, and still at the city level have a relatively high level of CO2 emissions. Why? Because buildings do not operate in isolation, and the overall structure and design of the urban infrastructure has a profound effect on the amount of energy used in running the city.

‘Careful integration of energy efficient structures into a well planned community with local sources of low carbon energy brings both social and environmental benefits.’

In order to get an overall saving, it is essential to work at the system level to design communities where home, work, and leisure facilities are available in close proximity. Likewise, designing the city to facilitate efficient public transport and to reduce the relative attractiveness of private motor vehicles will bring significant environmental advantages. Within this Eco-city approach, C-Questor intends to facilitate low and zero carbon buildings, and to be active in monitoring potentially harmful emissions in order to provide the information needed to improve public health.

Technologies of Interest
C-Questor is very keen to develop and encourage the use of sustainable building materials, to which end, we will be looking at improved application of natural materials such as steam pressed straw panels. Such materials in many cases are suitable for replacing plywood or other reconstituted wood materials which often are produced thousands of miles from where required, and in some cases without due regard for sustainable forestry practices. Other materials of interest include carbonated cement based building materials which can often incorporate “waste materials” such as fly ash from coal fired power stations.

C-Questor also aspires to state of the art recycling and waste management, and efficient use of water within our cities. By aiming for an integrated design and management approach to energy, water, waste, and social infrastructure a comfortable, affordable, and pleasant environment can be provided in our cities, improving public health, cutting pollution, creating attractive public space, and removing the kind of social environment which provides the building blocks of disharmony and crime.