The study was undertaken by the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Research Centre, which is based at the Horizon Scotland buiding on the Forres Enterprise Park, with technical support from John Barrett from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) based at the University of York.

"We believe that everyone has something to learn from their low footprint lifestyle," said Mr Barrett. "The fact that the community's footprint is a fraction over half the national average, means that the average resident in the community consumes just one half of the resources and generates one half of the waste of the average citizen of the UK."

GEN spokesman, Jonathon Dawson, said the ecovillage was demonstrating how it was possible for communities to have a low environmental impact and retain a high quality of life.

"These are remarkable findings and they validate the many approaches that have been adopted here," said Mr Dawson. "What comes out of this study loud and clear is that it is possible to significantly reduce resource consumption while continuing to enjoy a high quality of life."

The community's "food and home energy" footprints were found to be 37% and 21.5% of the national average respectively, with their own energy generation, local organic food, energy-efficient house design, low levels of commuting and sharing of resources found to be major contributing factors.

Mr Barrett said they had undertaken a footprint analysis of a number of communities across the UK and the Findhorn ecovillage had the lowest to date.

Mr Dawson said a high number of people in the Foundation community ate food that was locally grown, organic and vegetarian, which made a big difference to the size of the footprint.

"In addition, many residents live in energy-efficient houses and the ecovillage's four wind turbines not only provide for the community's own needs, but make it a net exporter of electricity," he added.

Other important factors were the widespread sharing of facilities and resources, such as washing machines and a communal dining room. High levels of employment within the community substantially reduced the need for commuting, as community residents' car mileage was just 6 per cent of the national average.

t.mclaren@forres-gazette.co.uk

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