Striving to be one of the first carbon neutral communities in the world, Emerald Monkey Resort is a five-star luxury residence located on a beautiful tropical Caribbean Sea island, which will have ‘green’ electricity supplied by a local hydro-electric plant. A natural biomass system will provide the septic system facilities. All resort pools will have filtered saltwater and the drinking water will be provided from the fresh, natural springs of the Panamanian Mountains. Transportation on the island is provided entirely by solar powered golf buggies.

• zero-carbon

The resort will be powered by hydro-electricity, a renewable source of energy that has almost no carbon impact on the local environment. Optimum orientation and ventilation of the villas will reduce solar gain and facilitate natural cooling. There will be minimum impact on the native tropical gardens - a natural carbon neutraliser - within the resort during the construction phase. An organic vegetable and produce farm has been planted which will help offset any residual CO2 emissions.

• zero-waste

A natural biomass (CO2 neutral timber) system will provide the septic system facilities. Once the resort is operational, separation and recycling of non-biodegradable waste will be practised, and organic matter will be composted and used on the vegetable and produce farm.

• sustainable water

Water conservation will be practised in the villas through reduced flush cisterns and air-flow taps. Potable water will be supplied from the fresh natural springs of the Panamanian Mountains. The septic system will enable the reuse of treated water for irrigation purposes.

• local and sustainable building materials

The building materials utilised for the villas are crafted only from natural sustainable materials and imported from Bali, where they are hand-carved by Balinese woodsman, to be erected onsite. This modern method of construction ensures there is a lessened impact on the flora and fauna during construction phase.

• sustainable transport

Solar powered golf carts are the only means of transport permitted on the resort.

Oceano Village’s Environmental Management Plan is to create a ‘closed system’ to arrive at a net-zero energy use community by effectively utilising the three main components of energy, water and waste. The development’s ethos states that no non-renewable resources may be taken from nature, nor given back in the form of pollution, which is defined as a wasted, non-collected resource.

• zero-carbon

Renewable energy sources utilised include wind and solar photovoltaics; where necessary bio-diesel back-up generators will be used. To reduce air conditioning reliance, buildings are designed to reduce the solar heat gain through well-insulated roofing systems, thermal mass walls and floors (concrete) and carefully positioned buildings and windows to create cross ventilation.

• zero-waste

Recycling bins will be provided in the houses and a recycling programme implemented when the first occupants move in during December 2008. An organic waste system using waste sludge from the sanitary system is proposed to fertilize onsite herb gardens, fruit orchards and market gardens. Building waste created during construction is recycled.

• sustainable water

Low-flow showerheads, low-flush toilets, and low-flow aerated faucets aim to reduce water consumption to only 40 gallons per day. The natural sanitary treatment system adopted cleans and clarifies the water to a potable, non-palatable state. Treated wastewater is used for irrigation. Created and natural permeable landscape areas aid surface rainwater absorption.

• local and sustainable building materials

All materials are local or natural - including the furnishings to limit off-gassing products within the homes. Use of renewable woods, such as non-producing rubber, bamboo or Honduran pine are encouraged for interior finishes and furnishings. Local labour and contractors are employed.

• sustainable transport

The entire site is designed to be pedestrian friendly with an extensive trail and path network. All streets are pedestrian-oriented and interspersed with stamped concrete ‘calmers’. Onsite, electric buggies will be available for owners and guests. A shuttle is provided for airport transfer; otherwise car sharing is encouraged.

Sonoma Mountain Village is a 200-acre zero carbon, zero waste redevelopment of an old factory site in Rohnert Park, near San Francisco, California. The first internationally endorsed One Planet Living community in North America, and targeting LEED Platinum certification (the highest level), designs include parks, community gardens, daily services, a town square full of shopping and amenities all within a five-minute walk of each home or business. In 2008, SOMO was awarded California’s highest, most prestigious environmental honour - the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award.

• zero-carbon

New buildings will be designed to beat California’s stringent Title 24 Energy Code by 50-80%. Existing buildings are being retrofitted to reduce energy use by at least 30%. Some key strategies will include solar-electric heat pumps, biomass, biogas and ground-source heat pumps.

• zero-waste

The project has a goal of diverting up to 98% of solid waste from being sent to the landfill by 2020 over the US average. This will require addressing retail and grocery packaging, food waste composting, school education amongst other more traditional measures.

• sustainable water

Through extensive conservation measures, innovative water re-use in greywater and reclaimed water systems and massive rainwater harvesting, 1,900 homes will be added without increasing the use of municipally-supplied water already allocated to the site under its existing light industrial use.

• local and sustainable building materials

20% of all materials will be manufactured on site; 60% will come from within 500 miles. Standard Project Specifications will help to ensure local, reclaimed, renewable, recycled, healthy, and low impact materials will be selected to maximize opportunities for cradle-to-cradle management.

• sustainable transport

Bicycling and walking are primary with pedestrian promenades, narrow tree-lined streets, paths and convenient bicycle parking everywhere. Other planned programmes include a plug-in hybrid carshare system, carpool concierge services and a free bicycle program. Neighborhood electric vehicles will be charged by solar arrays.