ABSTRACT
Introduction It could be argued of course that the objectives of sustainability and economic growth are incompatible and that development of any sort that creates new businesses, jobs and buildings is potentially increasing global carbon emissions and resource depletion. This is related to the discussion in Chapter 2.2 Land Use and Density on refurbishment/re-use of existing buildings versus demolition and new build, although there are national and regional policy drivers that impact on the volume and rate of economic growth which may not be compatible with international agreements to reduce carbon emissions. The outcome of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 15) in Copenhagen in 2009 and the refusal of China to compromise its economic growth plans in committing to legally binding carbon reduction targets is a prime example of this at the global geo-political level.
