Howard Liddell will put forward a case that 'eco-technology' paraphernalia, which has become a ubiquitous part of green specification, is overkill.

• The 'technical fix' icons of the green movement (wind turbines, photovoltaics, heat pumps etc) may not be as green as they seem.
• This is especially so when set against an alternative strategy of good housekeeping and conservation.
• It is thoroughly convincing when it can be achieved with little or no additional cost.
• The fact that something can be green without being self-conscious or having to look radically different is also very attractive to a large number of people.
• They can be quietly green without having to seem to be a 'greenie' or have it shouted from their technology-laden rooftops.

Liddell will review, critically, many common Technical Fix solutions and contrast these with Eco-minimalist options.

Ralph Carpenter will focus on hemp and lime:

• Hemp – a natural material which grows in 4 months
• Hemp as a thermal and acoustic insulator
• Hemp as a carbon sequestrator 
• Hemp as a waste minimiser
• Lime as a low carbon binder

Ralph became aware of hemp as a building material in the 1990's. After extensive research the results from two new houses in Haverhill have made it possible to build with hemp and comply with the demands of the building regulations and several new projects are in the pipeline using hemp.