Environment
We will ensure our business activities protect and enhance the environment around us
We will ensure that our planning, procurement and build policies and practices set clear standards for responsible environmental management and support us in becoming a carbon net zero business by 2050. Our responsibilities span throughout the project life cycle, from land acquisition to after sales care.
SDGs
Link to corporate values
Lasting legacy
Stronger together
Focus area: net zero
By building homes which are more energy efficient, making changes to how we operate as a business and implementing lower-carbon technologies, we will reduce our carbon emissions year-on-year, meeting the requirements of the Future Homes Standard and achieving net zero by 2050.
The targets below have been developed in consultation with an external sustainability consultant who has assessed our business against others in the industry and identified where and in what timeframe carbon reductions can be achieved.
We achieved a reduction in our carbon intensity from 0.0078kgCO2e per £1 turnover in 2019/20 to 0.0055kgCO2e per £1 turnover in 2020/21. This was achieved despite operational activity levels increasing across sites as COVID-19 public health restrictions eased, with the move to hybrid working patterns for office based staff and greater use of virtual meetings delivering benefits. We are committed to making year on-year improvements, as outlined below.
| Objective | Target | 2020/21 progress |
| Build homes which are more energy efficient to reduce operational carbon |
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| Use lower-carbon building materials and manufacturing methods to reduce embodied carbon |
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| Become a more energy efficient business in our daily operations to reduce on site carbon |
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Focus area: biodiversity and conservation
The Environment Bill was passed into law in November 2021, making it law for developments to achieve a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) across developments. With our history of brownfield site remediation, our projects often already deliver much greater gains.
| Objective | Target | 2020/21 progress |
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Work with local governments, wildlife groups, landowners and other stakeholders to support their priorities for nature conservation to enhance biodiversity both on site and in the wider community |
Deliver 10% BNG at a minimum |
Our planning application submitted this year at Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow will, if approved, deliver a 51% BNG Our approved plans for Hillingdon Gardens, Hillingdon will achieve a 26% BNG and a 0.4 Urban Greening Factor Habitat units at Patchworks, Walthamstow will increase by an estimated 232% as a result of our activity |
Focus area: circular economy
A circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.
| Objective | Target | 2020/21 progress |
| Divert construction waste material from landfill | Year-on-year improvements to reach 100% of waste material diverted from landfill | 97% of waste over the reporting period was diverted from landfill, with 3,156 tonnes of waste removed in total and 3,063 tonnes diverted |
| Implement lower waste manufacturing methods across developments | To be developed | Off-site manufacturing and Modern Methods of Construction task force formed to research feasibility |
Statement of carbon emissions
This is our second-year reporting carbon emissions. The report is compliant with UK legislation as set out in the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) and covers energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions relating to gas, electricity and transport, intensity ratios and energy efficiency actions.
| This reporting period (Oct 2020–Sep 2021) |
Prior reporting period (Oct 2019–Sep 2020) * |
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| Total electricity use | 2,189,607kWh | 2,048,864kWh |
| Total gas use | 732,822kWh | 330,753kWh |
| Total transport fuel | 496,187kWh | 2,131,833kWh |
| Total energy from other fuels | 92,041kWh | Combined with above |
| Total energy use (all sources) | 3,510,657kWh | 4,511,450kWh |
| Total carbon emissions (electricity) | 638tCO2e** | 478tCO2e |
| Total carbon emissions (gas) | 157tCO2e | 61tCO2e |
| Total carbon emissions (transport fuel) | 169tCO2e | 517tCO2e |
| Total carbon emissions (other sources) | 29tCO2e | Combined with above |
| Total carbon emissions | 993tCO2e | 1,055tCO2e |
| Total number of staff (average for period) | 138 staff | 156 staff |
| Carbon Intensity ratio 1 | 0.0055kgCO2e per £1 turnover | 0.0078kgCO2e per £1 turnover*** |
| Carbon Intensity ratio 2 | 7,198kgCO2e per member of staff | 6,765kgCO2e per member of staff |
* All data covering reporting period October 2019 to September 2020 produced and supplied by ECA Business Energy
** Includes 131.8tCO2e Well to Tank WTT and Transmission and Distribution emissions (not included in previous period)
*** Data covering reporting period 1 October 2019 to September 2020 calculated using ECA Business Energy data and turnover supplied by Inland Homes
Carbon and energy efficiency actions
We have implemented the policies below for the purpose of increasing the business' energy efficiency in the relevant financial year:
- Moved to hybrid working for office-based staff
- Implemented and encouraged use of video conferencing
- Reduced travel and client visits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Signed contracts to purchase 100% green energy
Methodology used in the calculation of disclosures
ESOS methodology (as specified in Complying with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme version 6, published by the Environment Agency, 21.01.21) used in conjunction with Government GHG reporting conversion factors.
For carbon only related matters, the SECR methodology as specified in ‘Environmental reporting guidelines: including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting and greenhouse gas reporting’ was used in conjunction with Government GHG reporting conversion factors:
SECR methodology notes
1. SECR methodology as specified in 'Environmental reporting guidelines: including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting and greenhouse gas reporting' used in conjunction with Government GHG reporting conversion factors:
2. Intensity ratios calculated using:
Number of staff
- Number of employees at beginning of period = 127
- Number of employees at end of period = 149
- Average number of staff = 138
Turnover
- Turnover £181.7m
3. The calculations have been approved by a PAS51215 compliant body
4. Data estimation – none
5. All data covering reporting period October 2019 to September 2020 produced and supplied by ECA Business Energy
6. Carbon Intensity ratio 1 for reporting period Oct 2019 – Sep 2020 calculated using ECA Business Energy data and turnover supplied by Inland Homes
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