Taylor Wimpey, Redrow commit to ‘tackling head-on’ net zero goals
Nearly 40 leading homebuilders endorsed the newly-released Future Homes Delivery Plan, which outlines how the industry will work together to meet the government’s environmental targets of zero-carbon ready homes by 2025.
Other key goals in the plan are building low-carbon and nature-rich developments by 2025 and using production and construction methods that are net zero and sustainable by 2050, with substantial progress to meet that goal by 2025.
Housebuilders also say they will keep their business operations in line to be net zero by 2050, with at least a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
The plan acts as a roadmap to achieving those goals. It was developed by the Future Homes Task Force, which is made up of industry leaders and experts.
“The government has set out a clear legal framework for tackling climate change and restoring the natural world,” said Neil Jefferson, co-chair of the task force and of the Home Builders Federation. “Meeting these targets means a wholesale change in how we design and build homes for future generations. This is a challenge we are committed to tackling head-on.
“Today’s launch sees the sector taking leadership of the agenda,” he continued. “The broad range of stakeholders involved will hold each other to account and ensure we deliver on this vital agenda as quickly and effectively as is possible. We want to ensure that we build on the huge progress made so far and deliver world-leading, environmentally friendly, high-quality housing.”
Rachael Whelan, the land and sustainability director for Cheshire-based Archway Homes, was a member of the task force as well. She said: “In a world where our environmental agenda is becoming increasingly important to our future, the Future Homes Task Force has provided an excellent forum for key organisations to collaborate and define the roadmap for our housing industry.
“I am very proud to have been a part of this process and Archway Homes, having already taken the decision to build all our houses to EPC A rating, is very much committed to this agenda and taking our houses forward to the Future Homes Standard for the benefit of our customers and future generations.”
To help oversee the delivery of the plan, a special hub will be launched in September. The hub will identify the metrics and more detailed targets for the goals outlined in the plan.
Nearly 40 companies endorsed the Future Homes Delivery Plan, including Bellway, Persimmon, Lovell, Wates, Wainhomes, Bloor Homes, Countryside and Miller Homes. The plan is supported by Homes England and Ofgem as well.
Read the summary of the task force report, including a roadmap for how the goals will be met. Read the full report.
The companies who concrete over greenfield and greenbelt land, and design neighbourhoods that are only accessible by car, are “committed to net [carbon] zero”? Give me a break.
By Anonymous
We could’ve had net zero homes 5 years ago on the governments original timeframe. But that was dropped by the conservative government which gets the largest proportion of its political donations from development industry companies. Forgive my scepticism.
By and by
And here comes the inevitable tirade of anti-housebuilding comments. I’m sure these people weren’t concerned about the environmental impact of construction when their own homes and places of work were built.
I think it is a positive step in the right direction and great to see small housebuilders who have limited construction budgets taking a hit to be environmentally conscious. Well done.
By Anonymous
Anonymous – I’m not really sure what there is to like about the big housebuilders? Is it their cookie-cutter house designs which make all suburban areas look the same? Is it their site layouts which build in car dependency? Is it the fact that all of their estates are purposefully low density so they can engineer the housing crisis in such a way that keeps house prices high so they can continue to profit? Genuinely, I’m all ears about what there is to like about these companies.
By Anonymous
While some of the major housebuilders are far from perfect, I don’t think it is fair to tar them all with the same brush and, in doing so, you have also tarnished the name of some smaller housebuilders (who often build exceptional houses on great developments).
I also think your comment about ‘purposefully low density’ shows an ignorance to the planning system which all housebuilders have to navigate.
By Anon