Introduction For decades now, atmospheric scientists have warned that we need to reduce dramatically the rate of release of greenhouse gases to avoid dangerous climate change (Lowe, 1989). The most important human contributions to the strengthening greenhouse effect are the release of carbon dioxide and methane from the burning of fossil fuels: coal, oil and gas. To reduce these harmful gases requires a move to a low-carbon economy which means a change in both energy policy and utilization. New thinking about urban and regional planning, leading to different policies at all levels of government, will be needed to shape a low-carbon economy.