Waste
Management
The UK’s top 20 home builders have been ranked according to their
sustainability performance in a new report entitled ‘Building a
sustainable future’ published by NextGeneration today.
The Berkeley Group, Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey (now merged to
form Taylor Wimpey), Countryside Properties and Crest Nicholson are
named as the top companies.
The analysis shows that these 20 home builders responsible for
building more than half of all new homes in the UK last year have
recognised the importance of sustainability and are getting to grips
with the challenge of making all new homes zero-carbon by 2016 –
essential if they are going to contribute to achieving the UK
government’s target of reducing emissions by 20% by 2020.
In some areas, companies in the sector are taking the challenge
seriously; of the top 20 home builders:
· 70% report publicly on their approach to sustainability.
· 65% have waste management strategies in place.
· 60% have set targets to improve the energy efficiency of their
homes.
However, the analysis also highlights that there is a large gap
between where the industry is now and where it needs to be by 2016
if the government’s vision for a quarter of a million zero-carbon
homes a year is to be realised. The sector needs to raise its game
quickly to keep up with the very rapid pace of change required to
deliver on the Government’s sustainability agenda. Of the top 20
home builders:
· 60% recognise climate change as a significant issue to the sector,
but none has a climate change policy in place.
· Only 25% have an understanding of the carbon footprint of their
operations.
· Only 15% have sustainable procurement policies.
The benchmark report draws an important ‘line in the sand’ for the
home building industry and explores the political, commercial and
practical challenges that must be bridged if sustainable homes and
communities are to become a reality.
Simon McWhirter, Homes Campaign Director from WWF-UK said:
“If the UK is to meet the necessary 80 per cent emission reduction
targets by 2050 it's vital that home builders step up the
environmental challenges they face. New homes offer a significant
opportunity to minimise our carbon emissions and reduce fuel bills
for households, but although the industry is responding well,
progress is still far too slow. Longer term more focussed plans to
tackle climate change must be implemented immediately to rein in the
environmental impact of our homes."
Rachel Crossley, Director, Investor Responsibility, Insight
Investment said:
“Those companies that can capitalise on the coming home building
boom the government has committed to, while at the same time finding
the most cost-effective ways of building sustainable homes will be
tomorrow’s winners. Critical to success will be investment in
innovation and a willingness to break from the past to design and
deliver homes that are both efficient and adaptable to the changing,
but uncertain, future climate.”
Amy Ford, Innovation and Development Manager (London) from the
Housing Corporation said:
“Although it is still early days, it is encouraging that leading UK
home builders have made good progress in driving up standards. The
government have clearly set out the challenge for industry, and we
look forward to seeing significantly more progress in the years to
come.”
Yvette Cooper, Minister for Housing and Planning said:
"Sustainable communities are at the heart of the Government's plans
to build more homes for the next generation. This means affordable
and mixed housing, decent infrastructure, green spaces, local public
transport and the clever use of design and materials to minimise our
impact on the environment. Given that our homes are responsible for
27 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions, it is quite right that
house builders are acting on the green agenda."
Email: kirsty@Futerra.co.uk