Links
We've gathered together a range of links to help you find out more about sustainable living. Choose a category to find out more.
Activism
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Seeds for Change
Seeds for Change works together with UK activists and campaigners to help them organise for action and positive social change. We offer participatory and dynamic training and resources in campaign skills and in co-operative group working techniques.
Energy Efficiency
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AECB Low Energy Buildings Database
Information on over 100 low energy buildings, providing data on predicted and actual energy use. -
Alternative Energy
Alternative energy information for householders. -
Centre for Sustainable Energy
Independent national charity that shares knowledge and experience to help people change the way they think and act on energy. -
Danilith UK
Building system using brick faced concrete insulated panels and offering high levels of airtightness and thermal mass. -
Down to Earth Solutions
Community Interest Company based in Moray, which aims to encourage the development of innovative, affordable and energy efficient housing. Offers an information and support service for environmentally conscious self builders, communities and social housing providers. -
Eco Open Houses
Network of sustainable homes in Brighton and Hove which open annually to help others learn about saving energy and water. -
Encraft
Specialists in on-site renewables and low carbon building. -
Energy Saving Trust
Impartial advice on how to reduce carbon emissions and use water more sustainably, as well as saving money on energy bills. -
Good Homes Alliance
Group of housing developers, building professionals and industry supporters aiming to promote good homes that are sustainable in the broadest sense. -
Great British Refurb
Campaign to promote the energy efficient refurbishment of the UK's existing housing stock, led by Kevin McCloud. -
Homes in Harmony
Online shop offering natural building materials and energy efficiency products for new builds and eco refurbishments -
Institute for Sustainability
Independent charity which aims to promote economically, environmentally and socially sustainable cities and communities, through demonstration projects and programmes to capture and share learning. -
Intelligent Energy Solutions
Renewable energy specialists supplying and installing solar panels and heat pumps. -
Low Energy Building Database
Online collection of case studies to help inform the planning and development of low energy new builds and refurbishments. -
Lower Energy Terraced House
Blog from Ecology member retrofitting a terraced house in Manchester, aiming to help others learn about and undertake similar projects. -
Microgeneration
Fully integrated renewable energy solutions for homes and businesses. -
National Energy Foundation
Promotes the better use and supply of energy to counter climate change. -
Parity Projects
Parity Projects' Home Energy Masterplan service offers clear, detailed, individually tailored advice to help you understand the most cost-effective steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home. -
Passivhaus Trust
Non-profit organisation promoting the Passivhaus standard and methodology in the UK. Ecology Building Society is a patron member of the Trust. -
Renewable Energy Association
Body representing renewable energy producers in the UK and promoting the use of all forms of renewable energy technologies. -
SERS Energy Saving Solutions
Specialists in external wall insulation and other energy saving solutions including heating systems, renewable technologies and internal wall insulation. -
Solar Fusion
Specialises in installing the latest solar energy, water heating and photovoltaic systems. -
Solar Sense
Solar hot water systems for self-build and housing association contractors. -
Spirit Solar
Experienced installers of renewable energy systems, including solar panels, heat pumps, biomass and micro-CHP systems. -
SuperHomes
Promotes education and action to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and communities, including a network of old dwellings which have undergone an energy efficiency retrofit. -
Sust-it
Sust-it aims provides comprehensive consumer information on energy efficient electricals. -
The Carbon Trust
Not-for-profit company providing specialist support to help business and the public sector cut carbon emissions, save energy, and commercialise low carbon technologies. -
The Energy Saving Co-operative
The Energy Saving Co-operative aims to ensure local communities and tradespeople get the maximum benefits from energy efficiency. It gives free, straightforward advice on energy saving improvements, which are installed through trusted local tradespeople, and provides fair and ethical finance for those who need it. -
The Scottish Passive House Centre
Professional advice, case studies and links to organisations and companies involved in Passive House in Scotland. -
You Gen
One of the UK's leading websites on renewable technologies and energy efficiency for home and business.
Environmental and Ethical Organisations
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10:10
Campaign to encourage individuals, companies, schools and other organisations to cut their carbon by 10% in a year. -
Amnesty International
A worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally-recognised human rights for all. -
Anti-Slavery International
The world's oldest international human rights organisation and the only charity in the UK to work exclusively against slavery and related abuses. -
BioRegional
Charity which initiates and delivers practical solutions to help us live within a fair share of the earth's resources. -
Campaign Against the Arms Trade
Coalition of groups and individuals in the UK working to end the international arms trade. -
Christian Aid
Charity working globally for change to eradicate the causes of poverty, and providing practical assistance where there is great need. -
Dr Hadwen Trust
The UK's leading medical research charity that funds and promotes exclusively non-animal techniques to replace animal experiments. -
Eco-Schools
International award programme which provides a framework to embed sustainability in school life. -
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Not-for-profit organisation working with education and businesses to build a more sustainable future. -
Ethex
Non-profit ethical investment club which aims to promote and encourage businesses with social goals. -
Fairtrade Foundation
Non-profit organisation that licenses the Fairtrade mark and seeks to transform trading structures and practices in favour of the poor and disadvantaged. -
Forum for the Future
Non-profit organisation working globally with business and government to create a sustainable future. -
Freecycle
Online movement of people who give and receive stuff for free in their local area. -
Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth aims to make life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems. -
Green Alliance
Environmental think tank working to ensure UK political leaders deliver ambitious solutions to global environmental issues. -
Greenpeace
Greenpeace defends the natural world and promoted peace by investigating, exposing and confronting environmental abuse, and championing environmentally responsible solutions. -
Institute for Sustainability
Independent charity which aims to promote economically, environmentally and socially sustainable cities and communities, through demonstration projects and programmes to capture and share learning. -
International Society for Ecological Economics
Organisation dedicated to advancing understanding of the relationships between ecological, social and economic systems, for the mutual wellbeing of nature and people. -
Low-impact Living Initiative
Provides ideas and information to help you change your life and your world for the better. -
National Ethical Investment Week
Annual event dedicated to raising awareness of green and ethical investing. -
New Economics Foundation
Independent think-and-do tank which promotes innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environmental and social issues. -
Oxfam
Oxfam is a global movement of people fighting poverty together, through development, emergency relief and campaigning. -
Post Carbon Institute
The Post Carbon Institute aims to build awareness of the economic, energy, environmental and equity challenges of the 21st century, and to foster collaboration and inspire action on these issues. -
Practical Action
Practical Action uses technology to challenge poverty, working with poor women and men around the world. -
Project Dirt
Online community connecting environmental projects being undertaken across the UK. -
Radical Routes
Radical Routes is a network of radical co-operatives whose members are committed to working for positive social change. The network is made up mainly of housing co-operatives . -
Reforesting Scotland
A network of people who are active in the ecological and social regeneration of Scotland. -
Save the Children
Save the Children serves impoverished, marginalised and vulnerable children and families in more than 120 nations. -
Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems
Independent research organisation that honours the work of economist E. F. Schumacher. -
Stop Climate Chaos
Coalition of organisations and people dedicated to acting on climate change and limiting its impact on the world's poorest communities. -
The DoNation
Online sponsorship site with a twist - rather than donating money, sponsors take simple green actions to save carbon. -
The Equality Trust
The Equality Trust campaigns to build public and political understanding of the harm caused by inequality. -
The Good Banking Forum
Campaign aiming to mobilise public pressure for a banking system that is economically, socially and environmentally fit for purpose. -
The Green Party
The Green Party aims to create a just, equitable and sustainable society, primarily, but not exclusively, through the electoral system. -
The Green Providers Directory
The UK's leading not for profit resource for finding green, organic and fair trade products and services. -
The Schumacher Society
Promotes sustainable systems for social, economic and environmental development. -
Traidcraft
Traidcraft fights poverty through trade, helping people in developing countries to transform their lives. -
Women's Environmental Network
Campaigning organisation working for environmental justice through feminist principles. -
Woodland Trust
A leading charity dedicated to the protection and management of our native woodlands. -
World Development Movement
Global justice campaigners tackling the underlying causes of poverty. -
World Land Trust
International conservation organisation that takes direct action to save rainforest and other wildlife habitats. -
WRAP
Programme to help businesses and individuals reduce waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way. -
WWF UK
Global conservation organisation working in more than 90 countries.
Ethical Business
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Ethical Consumer
Ethical Consumer is the UK's leading alternative consumer organisation, researching the social and environmental records of companies. It provides unique buyers' guides comparing brands across 19 ethical criteria. -
Ethical Junction
Ethical Junction brings together businesses and consumers who share a commitment to ethical values. -
Forum for the Future
Non-profit organisation working globally with business and government to create a sustainable future.
Ethical Careers
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Environment Job
Green jobs, courses and events, with weekly update email -
Ethical Jobs
Ethical job vacancies across a broad spectrum of sectors. -
Stop Dodo
Environmental jobs, courses, events and news.
Ethical Finance and Insurance
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Barchester Green
The UK's longest established Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) specialising in socially responsible, environmental and ethical investment. -
Co-operative and Community Finance
Provides sympathetic loan finance to help people take control of their economic lives and create social benefit. -
Community Development Finance Association
Umbrella body for Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), which provide loans and support to help people and businesses create prosperity in their communities. -
Congregational and General Insurance
Socially responsible insurer for homes and churches. -
Ethex
Non-profit ethical investment club which aims to promote and encourage businesses with social goals. -
Ethical Investment Research Service
Leading global provider of independent research into the social, environmental and ethical performance of companies. -
Global Impact Investing Network
Not-for-profit organisation dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of impact investing (investments which aim to solve social or environmental challenges while generating financial profit). -
Institute for Social Banking
Training and research institute promoting ethical and socially-oriented finance and banking. -
Insure Green
The world's first carbon neutral company in the insurance sector. -
International Association of Investors in the Social Economy
Global network of socially and environmentally oriented financial institutions. -
Letslink UK
Lead body supporting Local Exchange Trading Systems nationally. -
Move Your Money
National campaign to spread the message that individuals can help to build a better banking system through our buying power. -
National Ethical Investment Week
Annual event dedicated to raising awareness of green and ethical investing. -
Naturesave Policies
Ethical insurance broker offering personal and commercial insurance policies since 1993. -
Shared Interest
Ethical investment cooperative which supports businesses in developing countries. -
The Good Banking Forum
Campaign aiming to mobilise public pressure for a banking system that is economically, socially and environmentally fit for purpose. -
UK Social Investment Forum
UK's membership network for sustainable and responsible financial services.
Ethical IFAs (Independent Financial Advisers)
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Ethical Investment Association
Association of financial advisers from around the UK who are dedicated to the promotion of green and ethical investment. -
Ethical Investors Group
Independent financial advice group with a focus on ethical and socially responsible investment; distributes 50% of net profits to charity each year. -
GAEIA
Team of IFAs specialising in environmental and ethical investment, offering a range of services to individual, businesses, charities and other organisations. -
Investing Ethically
Team offering independent financial advice with ethical expertise, entirely dedicated to screened investments. -
The Ethical Investment Co-operative
Group of IFAs dedicated to ethical and socially responsible investment; 3 times winners of the award for 'Best IFA' in the Guardian/Observer Consumer Finance Awards.
Finding a Property
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GreenMoves
Dedicated 'eco property for sale' website. -
Pick Up a Property
The UK's leading website for sourcing property in need of renovation.
Food, Farming and Gardening
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Compassion in World Farming
Farming welfare charity that campaigns for better standards for farmed animals everywhere. -
Garden Organic
The UK's leading organic growing charity. -
GM Freeze
Campaign to express concern at the speed at which genetic engineering is being introduced into food and farming. -
Graig Farm
One of the pioneers of organic food, set in the rolling hills of mid-Wales. -
Greencuisine
Organic food and cookery courses, retreats and private consultation. -
Growing with Nature
We are a local food producing scheme and distribute the organic crops we and 5 other local growers produce to homes around the Fylde coast. We grow over 70 different vegetable, salad and herb crops and distribute these throughout the year. -
Permaculture Association
National charity which aims to help people learn about and use permaculture in their everyday lives. -
Small Woods Association
Aims to support all those with an interest in woodland and to improve woodland management. -
Soil Association
The UK's leading campaigning and certification organisation for planet-friendly food and farming. -
Stone Wood Water Light
Edinburgh based landscape design and construction business. We work with what is already in place, then combine it in new ways with suitably sourced introductions to create more attractively diverse spaces. Landscape design with ecology in mind. -
The Biodynamic Association
Promotes and provides information about biodynamic farming and gardening. -
The Eden Project
Global garden in disused clay mine which helps people learn about nature and get inspired about the world around them. -
The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners
Nationally recognised body for the allotment movement, which aims to protect, promote and preserve allotments for the future. -
Vegan Society
Provides advice on ways of living free of animal products, for the benefit of people, animals and the planet. -
Vegan-Organic Network
Charity aiming to research and promote vegan-organic methods of agriculture and horticulture. -
Vegetarian Society
Educational charity promoting understanding and respect for vegetarian lifestyles.
Green and Ethical Businesses
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Bryn Elltyd Eco Guest House
Set in the heart of Snowdonia with open access to mountains, the Bryn Elltyd Eco Guesthouse has received a Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold Award. The guest house has 100% renewable electricity, a pellet boiler linked to a solar water array, wood stoves, rainwater harvesting and turf roofs with sheep's wool insulation. Facilities include wifi and a sauna, and the owners bake fresh bread every morning to serve alongside local produce. Accessible from mainline rail (within 2 km) and next to the Ffestiniog steam railway. -
Go Green Directory
Directory of eco-friendly products and services, plus an online shop. -
Gooshing
Ethical shopping tool which enables you to find, compare and buy a wide range of products. -
Graphic Green
Graphic Green creates contemporary, innovative design solutions for print, web and exhibitions. From flyers to annual reports, brand design to brochures we can help your organisation create a big visual impression with a small carbon footprint. -
Green Baby
The leading eco-friendly children's brand -
Green Buying
Green business support and services -
Green Net
Ethical ISP that connects progressive people and groups working for peace, the environment, gender equality and human rights. -
Green People
Organic skincare and natural beauty products. -
Green Stationery Company
The UK's original recycled paper and green office products supplier. -
Greenfibres
Greenfibres sells organic clothes and bedding for the whole family. -
Greenheart Energy
Suppliers and installers of renewable heating and hot water systems. -
Just Green
Offers environmentally friendly products for the home and garden. -
LiveLight
Ideas for ethical living, some offering special discounts for LiveLight members. -
The Green Shop
Provides sustainable and low impact products; the largest supplier of natural paints in the UK. -
The Phone Co-op
The Phone Co-op is the only co-operatively owned provider of phone, broadband and mobile services, and focuses on social responsibility in all of its operations. -
Trigonos
Education and conference venue in the Snowdonia National Park. -
Vinceremos
The longest established organic wine specialist, with the largest range in the UK. -
Vintage Roots
Home delivery supplier of organic wines and champagnes.
Green Building
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ADM systems
Energy efficient air ventilation systems. -
AECB - the Sustainable Building Association
The AECB aims to facilitate environmentally responsible practices within building. -
AECB Low Energy Buildings Database
Information on over 100 low energy buildings, providing data on predicted and actual energy use. -
Benfield ATT
Timber frame products, design and build services and advice. -
BioRegional Reclaimed
Organisation promoting and facilitating the use of reclaimed materials. -
BREEAM
Design and assessment method for sustainable buildings. -
Cambridgeshire Tile and Brick Company
Hand made tile making has been taking place at Burwell in Cambridgeshire since 1993. All tiles are manufactured by the local workforce from locally dug Cambridge Gault clay. The tiles are produced in the traditional way with wooden moulds and allowed to air dry before being fired in the kiln. -
Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)
CAT demonstrates practical ways of addressing global problems, aims to show that living more sustainably is easy to attain and provides a better quality of life. -
Code for Sustainable Homes
National standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes, which aims to reduce our carbon emissions and create homes that are more sustainable. -
Construction Resources
Materials and systems for sustainable buildings; high performance, state of the art products from Europe's leading manufacturers. -
Danilith UK
Building system using brick faced concrete insulated panels and offering high levels of airtightness and thermal mass. -
Down to Earth Solutions
Community Interest Company based in Moray, which aims to encourage the development of innovative, affordable and energy efficient housing. Offers an information and support service for environmentally conscious self builders, communities and social housing providers. -
DWA Housing and Management Consultants
A not-for-profit housing consultancy group, offering solutions that are practical, ethical and affordable. -
Eco Open Houses
Network of sustainable homes in Brighton and Hove which open annually to help others learn about saving energy and water. -
Ecomerchant
Environmentally-friendly builder's merchant based in Kent, supplying natural insulation, paints, sunpipes and traditional restoration materials such as lime with countrywide distribution. -
Encraft
Specialists in on-site renewables and low carbon building. -
Freerain
Leading supplier, designer and manufacturer of rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems. -
GB Decorating
GB Decorating uses traditional techniques and materials for the restoration and redecoration of historical and listed buildings. -
Good Homes Alliance
Group of housing developers, building professionals and industry supporters aiming to promote good homes that are sustainable in the broadest sense. -
Gordon Clarke Architects
Architects focussed on residential, commercial, historic and arts sectors, and using building methods which care for the planet. -
Great British Refurb
Campaign to promote the energy efficient refurbishment of the UK's existing housing stock, led by Kevin McCloud. -
Green Building Press
Publishes information on sustainable building, including Green Building Magazine and the Green Building Bibles. -
Green Building Store
Green Building Store supply building products which promote energy efficient, sustainable and healthy homes. -
GreenSpec
A reference source for all designers of sustainable buildings, including information on materials, products, technology and design. -
Gusto Homes
Designers and developers of sustainable homes in North Lincolnshire and North Nottinghamshire. -
Hockerton Housing Project
The UK's first earth sheltered, self-sufficient ecological housing development. -
Hodson Architects
Architects providing sustainable solutions considering space, material and light. -
Home Grown Home
Advice on building with straw bales and other natural materials - consultancy, training, presentations (general interest and cpd), planning and construction drawings. -
Homes in Harmony
Online shop offering natural building materials and energy efficiency products for new builds and eco refurbishments -
IEKO
Independent suppliers of natural and environmentally-friendly paints. -
Interflush
Interflush is a DIY retrofit kit to convert single flushing WC siphons in cisterns with front handles, to fully interruptible flushing. Uses only what is needed, saving 30 of the 150 litres we each use a day. -
John Nethercott and Co
Established in 1975, John Nethercott & Co. specialises in making and restoring woodwork to the highest standard. -
LEDA
LEDA is an architectural and environmental design company dedicated to creating great sustainable buildings. We provide an integrated design service where all the specialist requirements are brought into the process from the beginning, to deliver great buildings that respect the environment and are a joy to use. -
Low Energy Building Database
Online collection of case studies to help inform the planning and development of low energy new builds and refurbishments. -
Lower Energy Terraced House
Blog from Ecology member retrofitting a terraced house in Manchester, aiming to help others learn about and undertake similar projects. -
National Self Build Association (NaSBA)
NaSBA aims to raise the profile of self building, to encourage best practice in self build and to promote the release of more land for self build projects across the UK. -
OGI
Oxford Geotechnica International (UK) Limited (OGI) is an independent British company with a mission overcome groundwater problems. It supplies a wide range of technical consultancy services, nationally and overseas, within the field of groundwater engineering and management, pollution control and other aspects of the ground environment. -
Passivhaus Associates
Design and build very energy efficient homes which are comfortable to live in. Passivhaus Associates use the internationally recognised gold standard for energy efficient buildings – the Passivhaus standard. -
Passivhaus Trust
Non-profit organisation promoting the Passivhaus standard and methodology in the UK. Ecology Building Society is a patron member of the Trust. -
Quadrat Scotland
Ecological consultants. -
Roberts Molly Associates
An established architectural practice working in East Anglia, London and the Home Counties, with a proven track record of successful projects and satisfied clients. -
Sarah Wigglesworth
We are an award-winning architectural practice, specialists in low-energy and sustainable building that inventively use readily-available materials. -
Self-help Housing
Website dedicated to promoting and supporting self-help housing initiatives. -
Selfbuild Central
Information for UK self builders who want to incorporate green features into their project, from small home improvements to community self build. -
Strongwood Log Homes UK
Supply, design and build of log homes. -
SuperHomes
Promotes education and action to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and communities, including a network of old dwellings which have undergone an energy efficiency retrofit. -
Sustainable Building
Monthly newsletter on energy efficiency and green building. -
SustainableBuild
Over 100 articles offering eco-friendly building tips and advice. -
The Limecrete Company
Onsite batching & placement of limecrete. Limecrete is the lightweight, breathable, ecological alternative to concrete. Limecrete is ideal for projects from new eco homes to historic building renovations. -
The Scottish Passive House Centre
Professional advice, case studies and links to organisations and companies involved in Passive House in Scotland. -
UK Green Building Council
Membership organisation which campaigns for a sustainable built environment. -
Walter Segal Self Build Trust
System of timber framed self-build housing, including links to Segal-inspired projects. -
Welsh Streets
Group of residents fighting to save homes in Liverpool from demolition and promoting regeneration and retrofit. -
You Gen
One of the UK's leading websites on renewable technologies and energy efficiency for home and business.
News, Magazines and Books
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Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)
CAT demonstrates practical ways of addressing global problems, aims to show that living more sustainably is easy to attain and provides a better quality of life. -
Ethical Consumer
Ethical Consumer is the UK's leading alternative consumer organisation, researching the social and environmental records of companies. It provides unique buyers' guides comparing brands across 19 ethical criteria. -
Ethical Junction
Ethical Junction brings together businesses and consumers who share a commitment to ethical values. -
Ethical Living
Online ethical lifestyle magazine. -
Green Books
The UK's largest independent environmental publishing company, producing books on a wide range of ecological and cultural issues. -
Green Futures
Quarterly magazine focusing on environmental solutions and sustainable futures. -
Permaculture Magazine
Leading environmental magazine with ideas and advice from the sustainability movement. -
Resurgence
A magazine for people who care about the environment and are looking for inspiration on sustainable living. -
Selfbuild Central
Information for UK self builders who want to incorporate green features into their project, from small home improvements to community self build. -
The Ecologist
Leading environmental affairs magazine. -
The Green Parent
The UK's leading green parenting and lifestyle magazine. -
Tip the Planet
Wiki website that encourages discussion and sharing of tips that benefit people and the planet.
Other Financial Organisations
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Building Societies Association
Body representing mutual lenders and deposit takers across the UK, including all 47 UK building societies. -
Consumer Credit Counselling Service
Charity which assists people in financial difficulty by providing free, impartial and realistic advice. -
Council of Mortgage Lenders
Trade association for the mortgage lending industry. -
Identity Theft
Information to help individuals and organisations combat the threat of identity theft. -
Money Advice Service
Free, independent service to help people manage their money better. The Money Advice Service was set up under the Financial Services Act and is funded by a levy on financial services organisations.
Restoration
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GB Decorating
GB Decorating uses traditional techniques and materials for the restoration and redecoration of historical and listed buildings. -
Gordon Clarke Architects
Architects focussed on residential, commercial, historic and arts sectors, and using building methods which care for the planet. -
Save Britain's Heritage
Group campaigning for endangered historic buildings -
The Listed Property Owner's Club
Information and advice on every aspect of listed buildings. -
The Scottish Civic Trust
Works to promote and improve Scotland's built environment. -
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
SPAB is involved in all aspects of the survival of buildings which are old or interesting, particularly their restoration or repair. -
Ulster Architectural Heritage Society
Promotes the appreciation and enjoyment of architecture in Ulster, and encourages its preservation and conservation.
Transport
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Environmental Transport Association
The ETA is an ethical motoring organisation and sustainable travel lobby group. Its services include an international breakdown service and ethical and carbon neutral insurance services. -
Sustrans
The UK's leading sustainable transport charity, which aims to make smarter travel choices possible, desirable and inevitable.
Please note that we do not necessarily support the views of the organisations listed, and by listing them we are not recommending their services. We are not responsible for the content of external web sites - if you find that a link is broken or contains inappropriate content, please let us know.