{"id":12886,"date":"2021-09-09T15:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-09T14:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scottishhousingday.co.uk\/?p=12886"},"modified":"2021-09-09T20:10:43","modified_gmt":"2021-09-09T19:10:43","slug":"how-social-landlords-can-help-to-combat-climate-change-building-sustainable-foundations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scottishhousingday.co.uk\/?p=12886","title":{"rendered":"How social landlords can help to combat climate change: building sustainable foundations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kirsty Wells, head of Housemark Scotland, highlights how social landlords can play a significant part in combatting climate change\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate change is a serious threat to lives, from the very real risk of water shortages and food production becoming difficult, to heat waves, violent storms and downpours that will grow in intensity and threaten lives and livelihoods. Animal species are also at risk due to this period of rapid climate change, as they\u2019re more likely to become extinct because of the significant change in their environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s our actions now that will inevitably decide the fate of the planet. With some of the damage already done and irreversible, the UK government has set a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We all have a responsibility to play our part and the housing sector has been tasked with making some significant changes which will play a vital role in tackling climate change. The government wants the social housing sector to lead the way in the transition to zero emission buildings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scottish Housing Day on the 15th of September, has put the climate emergency under the spotlight, with the sector being encouraged to think about how to overcome the challenges of becoming net zero carbon, share advice and to think about how to begin making these changes. This is also reiterated in the 2021 United Nations climate change conference – COP26<\/a><\/u> in Glasgow this November, where countries, companies and society will come together to set out how to combat climate change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the government requires from social landlords<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scottish social landlords have all been set the target of ensuring all their stock has a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of B where possible by 2032. By 2045, over two million homes will need to transition from fossil fuel-based systems to low and zero-emissions systems such as heat pumps, heat networks and other technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Gov.Wales, in Wales alone, housing is responsible for 27% of all energy consumed<\/a> and 15% of all demand-side greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this, from 2022, social homes in Wales will need to have green heating systems to meet energy-efficiency requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In England, it\u2019s expected that from 2025, new homes will have to be much more energy efficient and cannot be connected to the grid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the challenges in becoming net zero carbon?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the best intentions, landlords are faced with a range of challenges when trying to achieve net zero carbon for their buildings. Scottish Landlords are having to tackle climate change while continuing to provide more homes to support the government’s ambition to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is recognised by the Scottish Government and social landlords that any increased running costs of decarbonised heating should not exacerbate fuel poverty or result in greater child or rent poverty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can landlords do to begin making a change?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funding initiatives are being created to help social landlords on the path to net zero carbon. Throughout the UK, funding is already being achieved and there are some funding options you can tap into:<\/p>\n\n\n\n