We continue to make big strides in reducing our carbon footprint and in our ambition to become a more sustainable, greener organisation. We have a key role to play in improving the sustainability of our communities, protecting the environment and combatting climate change.
As a large social landlord, we also carry out programmes of work and provide advice and support to customers to reduce energy consumption and costs – tackling fuel poverty and improving health and wellbeing.
Giving due consideration to economic, social and environmental issues as part of the delivery of services to our customers also ensures we are contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as ratified by the UK Government in 2015, and responding to the environment and climate emergency declared by the UK Government in May 2019 when it set a target requiring the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero before 2050 to end the country’s contribution to global warming.
Over the next five years we will be:
We have partnered with Groundwork Green Doctors to offer local residents a completely free of charge energy-saving service. A green doctor can help residents save money and keep their homes warm. Referrals can be made through the Cashwise and Sustainability teams for eligible residents.
WDH has been awarded over £2.8 million of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding to deliver a project in support of the UK Government’s 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emissions target. This will also support the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s aim to be net zero by 2038.
The project will trial and evaluate a new approach to energy retrofitting as well as combining different innovative products in 205 WDH-owned social rented properties in Airedale and Castleford. Taken into consideration will be fabric improvements (walls, roofs, floors), air tightness and ventilation measures in combination rather than in isolation. In addition to this there will be community-based ‘wrap around’ support to occupants living in the properties, as well as providing advice and guidance to other support services available in the Wakefield district.
This funding boost will help WDH reduce carbon emissions and meet its strategic business aim of providing net zero carbon services by 2035.
WDH's Business Strategy also aims to improve all its properties to an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of band C or above by 2030. By achieving this, the housing provider will reduce ‘in-use’ carbon emissions in properties, tackling fuel poverty and improving the health and wellbeing of it’s customers.
Sustainability Manager for WDH, Simon Gutteridge said: “Research nationally shows housing has a significant role to play in the climate change agenda as energy efficiency improvements can reduce energy demand and carbon emissions created by the occupant ‘in-use’.”
He added: “The aim of this project is to take a holistic approach to energy efficiency retrofit on the estate by looking at both people and property. Taking a whole house approach makes sure energy efficiency measures achieve their saving potential, maximising on the benefits and resulting in energy bill savings and makes sure ‘unintended consequences’, such as damp, mould and condensation, are avoided.”
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