As the need to respond to climate change becomes a serious requirement for all building projects, so too does our understanding of how these bio-based and renewable materials can help to reduce carbon emissions.

Tom Woolley is an architect, educator and builder who has campaigned for the wider use of green and low impact building materials since editing the Green Building Digest in the 1990s. Having taught in the UK and worldwide, he helped develop the sustainable architecture Masters course at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales. Working with Rachel Bevan Architects, Tom has helped to establish hempcrete construction, and is Chair of the UK Clean Air Steering Committee and a consultant to ECOS, the Environmental Coalition on Standards.