Our net-zero carbon commitment shortlisted for Northern Housing Award
We have been shortlisted for a Northern Housing Award marking our commitment to cut carbon emissions from our homes to net-zero by 2030 to combat climate change.
We launched our decarbonisation strategy alongside Welsh Housing Minister Julie James, and have been shortlisted in the Best Carbon Reduction Scheme category for the Awards with winners to be announced on May 13.
We are taking the lead working proactively with the Welsh Government, being amongst the first housing associations across the UK to commit to decarbonising our homes, pooling best practice as part of the North Wales Collaboration Group to support its green economic recovery, delivering a real and lasting impact on the climate emergency Agenda.
With support from the Welsh Government’s Optimised Retrofit Fund, we have started our initial pilot to retrofit 80 homes, developing a passport to net-zero for each home, tailoring our approach to deliver a bespoke passport to decarbonisation; the gap in funding for the deep retrofitting of our houses is estimated at £120 million, with work commencing over the next three years with support from the Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme.
We are targeting the worst energy performing of our houses, using a fabric first approach to decarbonisation;our Assets team has focused on external wall installation, completing works at 238 of our homes, enabling a 15% average carbon saving per property.
Our Assets team is monitoring the temperature, humidity, hot water, and electricity data for each home, using Smart Homes technology working alongside the University of Swansea.
Our decarbonisation strategy sets our ambition, with actions set by our Carbon Management Plan, enabling a whole company approach to decarbonisation for new builds, retrofitting, fleet, offices, energy, land, education, training, and skills.
Ffrancon Williams, our Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Northern Housing Awards for our approach to decarbonising our homes. At Adra, we consider lowering energy consumption as being key to helping reduce running costs for our residents, tackling fuel poverty. We all need to work together to make a difference.”
Edric Jones was the first resident to move into his estate in Bangor in 1972 and has had works to his home as part of our initial retrofitting pilot, including a new roof, roof insulation and external wall insulation with dash render. He said: “I’m so happy with how my home now looks and how it’s so much warmer following the work done.”
Sarah Schofield, our Director of Customers & Communities, said: “We are learning as everyone learns and pooling that knowledge; there’s a burning platform now for net-zero. Through teamwork we will progress the sustainability Agenda, by working collaboratively.”
Mathew Gosset, our Assistant Director of Assets, added: “Stock decarbonisation will be very challenging and will change the way we traditionally produce, procure and deliver our investment plan. We have recently revised our asset management strategy to align with our decarbonisation strategy, ensuring we are set up to tackle the future challenges facing the social housing sector.”
For press or media enquiries, please contact: Elin Heledd Rowlands, Communications and Engagement Officer, Adra: elin.rowlands@adra.co.uk