Our Environmental Working Party oversees the development and embedding of our Environmental Strategy and action plan to support our journey towards net carbon zero.
We strive to play our part in helping build a sustainable future and make a positive impact on society and the planet.
We are dedicated to supporting the reduction of carbon emissions and creating a better environment for the future. Our core purpose is to provide high-quality, affordable homes to those in need, and environmental sustainability is crucial to our mission.
This year, we updated our Environmental Sustainability Strategy to align with our Asset Management and Development Strategies. This covers all business activities, including existing and new homes, engaging with tenants, fleet transport, and office operations.
We are working towards the government's targets of building low-carbon homes by 2025 and ensuring that all our homes produce zero net carbon emissions by 2050. This means removing the same amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as we produce.
Throughout the year, we have launched several initiatives to reduce our long-term impact on the environment and address fuel poverty among tenants.
We are working to help our tenants affordably heat their homes and reduce fuel poverty by improving energy efficiency. This includes better insulation, more efficient heating systems, and renewable energy sources. These efforts also reduce our carbon footprint, cut waste, and improve natural areas.
We have made significant progress in improving energy efficiency in our buildings. For example, we are delivering 3 communal LED lighting upgrades at Derby House and Tuson House independent living schemes and 1 of our supported living schemes, with estimated energy savings of up to 70%. We have also upgraded the heating systems at Ashwood Court and Charleston Court independent living schemes, including installing gas boilers, building management systems that can be accessed remotely, and improving controls in the flats.
We are actively involved in zero-carbon partnerships to reach zero-carbon targets. As part of the Vantage Zero Carbon Club, we collaborate with registered providers and local authorities to share best practices and maximise value for money in retrofit projects. Additionally, through our new contract management standard, we work with contractors and suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of work on our behalf.
We will continue sharing best practices with the government, other housing providers, tenants, and supply chain partners.
Some of our initiatives include:
We are working with a specialist consultant, Adecoe to develop our approach to meeting all of the environmental targets for our tenants' homes, all Group-owned premises, including our offices, community centres, vehicles, and all activities.
We are also meeting regularly with South Ribble Borough Council (SRBC) to maximise opportunities to achieve their aim of making South Ribble carbon neutral by 2030 and will be working to develop relationships with local authorities in all of the areas in which we operate to support their sustainability and environmental targets.
With decarbonisation at the heart of the social housing sector's agenda, more than 30 leading social landlords have joined forces to create the Zero Carbon Club. The group represents over half a million homes across the UK and a combined turnover of £3.1 billion.
As active Vantage Zero Carbon Club members, we have been looking at how registered providers and local authorities can collaborate to share best practices and maximise value for money in retrofit projects
We are working with contractors and suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of work carried out on our behalf.
Our Contract Management Standard provides guidance and support for contract management processes for all Group business areas; this includes how we work with our suppliers to reduce their environmental impact on our tenants during the lifetime of any contract agreement.
Direct Works Forum (DWF) - Retrofit Group
We are active members of the DWF Retrofit Group, looking at retrofitting and how registered providers and local authorities can work together to maximise value for money in any retrofit and/or pilots carried out.
We are looking to get involved in shared retrofit pilots where we will make a small contribution towards the cost of retrofit works in return for specifications, procurement documentation, and outcome reports.
The group is also working on developing a shared national database of environmental/retrofit materials. The register will include details of all materials available and provide members feedback on suitability, cost, issues, benefits, user reference sites, etc.
Working with other housing providers to ensure that we learn and share experiences is a positive outcome of these challenging targets and will continue to develop.
Social housing decarbonisation funding (SHDF)
We have successfully bid for more than £650,000 in social housing decarbonisation funding (SHDF).
Highlights 2023-24
- Set up a tenant group focused on sustainability that meets every 6 months to discuss our green efforts and get feedback from tenants.
- Recruited two new employees into the Environment and Sustainability Team.
- Continued to improve the energy efficiency of our properties through an investment programme that covers insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, and fuel-efficient heating systems.
- Started a programme to upgrade the heating system at Saltcotes Place by installing high heat retention storage heaters and new unvented cylinders.
- Increased the percentage of properties with an EPC from 71% to 80% and decreased the percentage of properties rated EPC D or below from 32% to 27%.
- Improved our overall energy efficiency by increasing our Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) from 72.1 to 72.29.
- Worked with United Utilities on a funded scheme to fit water-saving devices at 453 properties.
- Completed the first year of a two-year retrofit project. This involved installing energy efficiency measures such as external wall insulation and air source heat pumps in 46 properties across Lancashire and Cumbria to bring all our properties to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C.