A new report commissioned by Sustainable Homes has
found significant action needs to be taken by social housing landlords in order
to prepare for the worst effects of climate change.
The report, “Housing 2050: How UK social housing can
meet the challenge of climate change”, sets out a list of actions that need to
be carried out to ensure the targets set for CO2 emissions in 2050
are met by social housing providers.
Housing 2050 is based on research involving a number
of participating housing providers with additional support provided by Ecuity
and the Committee on Climate Change.
The key findings are:
- Current
social housing is not fit for 2050 and nor will it be if business planning
continues on its current trajectory.
- The
financial planning cycle of landlords is 30 years. Financial plans need to be
reviewed to ensure they are viable given the gap in environmental performance.
- New
finance models and cost savings are available to reduce CO2 emissions to safe
levels, whilst at the same time being financially beneficial.
The report
lists a range of actions that need to be taken now. These include:
Establishing
higher building standards.
- Taking
advantage of opportunities offered by modern methods of construction.
- Educating
and upskilling staff in energy-efficiency measures and new technologies.
- Prioritising
measures to tackle flooding and overheating.
- Integrating
the retrofit works of older homes with other major cyclical works on existing
buildings.
- Seeking
public-private partnerships for low-carbon communal heating systems.
- Installing
electric vehicle infrastructure.
- Developing
a clear strategy for meeting 2050 targets.
Richard Lupo,
Sustainability Consultant and author of the report, said: “The science states
that we must make significant reductions in CO2
emissions by 2050 in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Typical financial planning cycles of 30 years for social landlords means that
it is vital to start planning now, before getting locked into
financially-crippling strategies.
“The UK social housing
sector accounts for around 17% of all homes and as such bears a significant
responsibility for reducing our CO2
emissions. Importantly, social landlords also have a responsibility to ensure
that new and existing homes are adapted to forthcoming impacts of climate
change.
“This research
provides a snapshot of the current state of UK social housing. It highlights
some good practice but also points to actions that need to be taken right now.
I remain optimistic especially because new financial models are emerging which
will help pay for the necessary improvements.”
Kathryn Brown, Head of
Adaptation at the Committee on Climate Change, said: “The findings of this
important report on social housing chime closely with those of our own
independent report on all UK homes published yesterday. These show the UK’s
legally-binding climate change targets will not be met without the
near-complete elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from UK buildings.
Efforts to adapt the UK’s housing stock to the impacts of the changing climate
for higher average temperatures, flooding and water scarcity, are also lagging
far behind what is needed to keep us safe and comfortable, even as these
climate change risks grow.”
Robert Honeyman,
Senior Economic Analyst at Ecuity, said: “We’re delighted to provide analytical
support to Sustainable Homes. Buildings account for 19% of the UK’s greenhouse
emissions, and energy use in homes will need to be decarbonised if we’re to tackle
dangerous climate change. This is a complex problem. Our solutions need to be
based on good data and sound analysis.”
