COHOUSING - Alan Heeks explores why cohousing can radically reduce your carbon footprint – and make you happy.

Imagine a lifestyle that is really sustainable for people and the planet. What would it look like? Low environmental impact of course, but what about human needs? Many of us want some sense of neighbour-hood, and our independence. We want comfort, fun, affordability – and a clear conscience.

Cohousing is a form of housing provision which can enable all this. It’s little known in the UK, but well proven in Scandinavia where it started, and now in North America. Whereas communes and bender settlements may be low impact but only suit the dedicated few, co-housing is a form of sustainable living with much wider appeal. In Denmark, where it started, 5% of all households are in cohousing communities.