One thing that is definitely going to survive the credit crunch is the drive to cut the UKs carbon emissions 80% by 2050. So welcome to a world of whirling propellers, humming reactors, tourniquet-tight regulation and energy certificates scattered like confetti over the built environment.

Our round-up begins with Paul Kings take on the scale of the task, an interrogation of Greenpeaces director and a guide to the five best and worst green innovations.

Then we look at the first office to (probably) get a BREEAM outstanding rating, run through the key developments of the year ahead, check out the latest research on greening existing buildings, and climb up on the roof for a spot of gardening...

Detox issue: January 2009