We advocate for earthen and bio-based building methods that are carbon sequestering. This is far better for the environment than most ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ building methods, many of which aspire to achieve operational ‘net zero energy’ at best. This means they produce (or use) as much renewable energy as they consume.

Whilst a noble goal, this ignores the more immediate problem of embodied energy. It is like fighting a battle with one hand tied behind your back, i.e. building structures that are ‘net zero energy consumption’, but building them out of high energy materials such as steel and concrete, could send the world over dangerous tipping points by the very action of building them alone.

In addition to ‘net zero’ operational energy, we really need to build with bio-based, carbon sequestering materials. This will allow us to fight climate change with both hands free, to reduce, and help rectify the negative climate effects of the construction industry. 

The critical carbon emissions are the ones emitted NOW, and so we need to reduce the embodied energy in buildings as much as we can.