While politicians talk about sustainable housing, thousands of individuals, groups and organisations are busy putting ideas into practice now - pushing the boundaries to cut carbon emissions far beyond government targets.

Where are the examples we can all learn from, and how are they bringing sustainable housing closer to reality in our communities? What are the obstacles to making low-carbon housing the `norm' rather than the rare exception? Which housing associations are building Passivhaus homes for the elderly? Which councils are leading the way?

Local Sustainable Homes covers everything from finding land and getting planning permission to installing alternative energy options and sourcing local materials. Projects range from building a roundhouse in the woods to refurbishing council flats in Sheffield, and from developing an eco-cluster in rural Dorset to creating sustainable social housing in Kirklees.