New Year revolutions

More weather news, from the World Meteorological Organisation, is that the rate of global temperature rise is accelerating. Nine of the world's hottest years so far have all occurred since 1990.

The WMO says there isn't enough evidence, yet, to link global warming to weather disasters. But that's little comfort to Central Europeans clearing up after the floods of 2002.

Why mention this gloomy news now? Well, the start of a year seems like a good time to make some resolutions to do something to ameliorate the effects of accelerated global warming.

For a start, the UK government could show greater commitment to the UK's environmental technology industry. Although the UK has some pretty tough carbon reduction targets to meet by 2010, there has been little action in Westminster to get behind companies making the equipment that can help achieve these.

There should be more done to encourage financial backing of sustainable energy projects such as wind farms – what about legislation to make it easier to get planning permission, which seems to be the main hurdle?

The government should also resolve to make energy prices more realistic – so that energy is more than a slice of 1% of business costs. It is the only way to make industry sit up and take notice of how much energy it wastes. Toughen up on energy efficiency legislation for business.

Construction clients and developers too need to take a look at what they're doing to tackle carbon emissions and energy waste. Clients have to take life-cycle costs much more seriously – you have real influence here. It's simply a question of asking suppliers and contractors, 'But how much will it cost me over ten years?'. It has already been said in this column that existing legislation is the lowest common denominator of sustainable buildings – go further and do better.

And as for engineers, it's down to you to make sure clients (and even government) know what they can do, what options are available to them if they want to be more energy efficient and sustainable. Give them the information that will enable them to make good decisions – by demonstrating that you don't have to break the bank to be greener, and that it won't make your building difficult to run, or uncomfortable to work in.