Much has been made of the role of airlines and oil companies in the fight against climate change, but few think of the built environment. Yet property is thought to account for nearly half of all carbon emissions and about half of those come from commercial buildings. Last year's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report highlighted the construction sector as that with the most potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and in the most cost effective way.

Commercial buildings and new homes have become the latest buildings to fall under the Government's energy performance certificate scheme. The next stage in the roll out of the scheme - which aims to improve energy efficiency in UK buildings - came into effect on April 6. All commercial properties being built or put up for rent or sale which have a floor area over 10,000 square metres will now require a certificate rating their energy efficiency and recommending improvements. The Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) now also apply to the construction of all new homes.

SURVEYS show that air conditioning units, which emit greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming, consume over 50 per cent electricity in buildings in India. Brian Ford, professor of Bio-climatic architecture in University of Nottingham, says this percentage can be brought down by designing buildings that promote natural ventilation. Ford was the consultant of the Sydney Olympic stadium and the Torrent Research laboratories in Gujarat, India.

A shortlist of 15 locations that could house the Government's flagship eco-towns has been announced - and none of them will involve building on green belt. The shortlisted sites will go forward to the next stages of the application process, which includes public consultation and detailed sustainability appraisals, before the final shortlist is published later this year. The eco-towns policy, announced by Gordon Brown last year, aims to create ten new zero-carbon settlements by 2020, each containing at least 5,000 homes with a high percentage of affordable housing.

Installing a green roof can dramatically reduce energy use and costs - as well as supporting biodiversity, reducing flooding and combating climate change. Roofs offer an opportunity for more green spaces in the heart of the city That was the message for delegates at an afternoon seminar organised by CIRIA, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association. Firms that have installed green roofs have reported a 25% reduction in energy use in the floor directly under the roofs, and reduced usage at a lower percentage in other floors.

Installing a green roof can dramatically reduce energy use and costs - as well as supporting biodiversity, reducing flooding and combating climate change. Roofs offer an opportunity for more green spaces in the heart of the city That was the message for delegates at an afternoon seminar organised by CIRIA, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association. Firms that have installed green roofs have reported a 25% reduction in energy use in the floor directly under the roofs, and reduced usage at a lower percentage in other floors.

Greener building practices could cut North America's greenhouse gas emissions more effectively than any other available measure. Canada, Mexico and the US are being urged to embrace greener construction methods That is the conclusion of a new report from the Commission for Environmental Co-operation (CEC). Green Building in North America: Opportunities and Challenges says buildings release about 35% of the continent's total CO2 emissions and this could be the quickest and cheapest way to reduce North America's impact on climate change.