Cloughjordan Ecovillage: Community-Led Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Future

Abstract

The chapter profiles Cloughjordan Ecovillage (CEV) with a focus on the features that contribute to it modelling the transition to a low-carbon future. It firstly defines what is an ecovillage and then introduces Cloughjordan Ecovillage, its founding objectives, and how far it has got to fulfilling them in its 20 years of existence. The next section surveys current published research on the project, identifying the three features that define this intentional community as an ecovillage: its ecological building standards, its carbon-neutral district heating system (DHS), and its food system, centred on its community farm, run on the principles of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). The central importance of community to modelling sustainability is highlighted, introducing its governance structures, and charting the ups and downs of a community weathering many challenges, especially the severe economic downturn of 2008. The chapter finishes by outlining CEV’s educational work and looking to the future of the ecovillage.