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Social landlords must take “significant action” to prepare for the effects of climate change, according to a new report.
Research commissioned by Sustainable Homes found that the UK’s social housing stock will miss CO2 emission targets set for 2050 unless landlords change their business plans.
The report, titled Housing 2050: How UK social housing can meet the challenge of climate change, calls for providers to develop strategies to meet 2050 environmental targets, use more modern methods of construction and retrofit energy efficiency measures in homes as part of major cyclical works.
Richard Lupo, who authored 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 mean 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.”
The report said that landlords are not on track to meet a target for homes to have an average Energy Performance Certificate of B by 2050 and continue to over-rely on gas while not investing in heat recovery systems.
Kathryn Brown, head of adaptation at the Committee on Climate Change, which assisted with the research, said: “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.”