Robert Vale, together with his wife Brenda, a Professor of Architecture in New Zealand, built the first autonomous house in England a few years ago. Their approach is very interesting because, for the first time, all the available knowledge of energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental responsibility has been integrated into the one structure.

For example, they found that the following CO2 emissions apply   (note: the car emissions are based on Australian data).

• Conventional UK House uses 263.4 kwh/m2 and produces 8.2 tonnes/yr of CO2
• (Autonomous house uses 8.5 kwh/m2)
• Car - Daihatsu Mira (9200 km a yr) produces 1.4 tonnes/yr
• Car - Bentley Continental (9200 km) produces 5.0 tonnes/yr
• Food bought for family (Australian figure) from conventional supermarkets produces 16.8 tonnes/yr

The surprise for many participating at the conference was the high CO2 figure quoted for the production, packaging, presenting and transporting of food.

People sometimes criticise rural settlements for their dependence on cars, but the Vale’s research shows that the low-energy nature and the potential for renewable energy use of rural settlements like Crystal Waters offsets their potential increased transport emissions due to being further from shops, schools etc. This is offset many times if some or most of the food is grown locally.

They conclude their paper by stating that an autonomous house could have zero emissions, provide its own water and treat their own sewage. Such houses could operate zero-emissions transport for the majority of trips.

Finally, they could use the suburban garden to produce at least a percentage of their food needs. In fact this last point is perhaps the most important. The best thing anyone can do to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase sustainability in their individual life is to grow as much food as possible at home.