Month: February 2020

Barratt Developments is first UK housebuilder to publish science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions.

The country’s largest housebuilder, Barratt Developments, has today become the first housebuilder to announce new science-based targets for reducing carbon emissions.  This means that the targets are in line with efforts to limit global warming to 1.5oC, needed to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

Barratt has committed to reduce its direct carbon emissions from its business operations (such as offices, sites, and show homes) by 29% by 2025. It will cut its indirect carbon emissions (such as those coming from its homes over their lifetime and from across its supply chain) by 11% by 2030.

Barratt has already worked hard to reduce its carbon emissions – since 2015 it has achieved a 22% fall in emissions. Initiatives such as improving plant efficiency and rolling out energy efficient lighting have all driven carbon emissions savings. Now they have committed to go much further and by setting these targets it is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Barratt will cut direct emissions through initiatives such as reducing diesel use across its vehicles and plant.

In addition, by building more energy efficient homes, using modern building methods with lower levels of embodied carbon and working with the government on the upcoming Future Homes Standard, Barratt will cut its indirect carbon emissions.

Its supply chain is critical to the delivery of a low carbon future and Barratt will be working with them to deliver on its ambitions.

Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, said:

“As the country’s largest housebuilder Barratt is taking a very positive step by being the first major housebuilder to publicly set science-based targets for reducing carbon emissions.

“It’s vital that companies take responsibility for their impacts and how they operate as businesses. We would like to see many more do it, building on the 30% of FTSE companies that have some form of science-based target.”

David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments, said:

“Setting ambitious emission reduction targets is vital if we are going to reduce our impact and safeguard our environment.

“We believe every business needs to take responsibility to tackle climate change which is why we are the first UK housebuilder to announce science-based targets in line with our commitment to be the country’s leading national sustainable housebuilder.”

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Useful information

• The new targets both start from a 2018 baseline
• Barratt Developments’ direct (scope 1 and 2) CO2e emissions target is set on the basis of an absolute emissions reduction
• The indirect (scope 3) CO2e target has been set on the basis of emissions relative to legally completed build area
• Further information on Barratt Developments’ future facing goals, ambitions and priority United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are available in its Sustainability Framework 2020+
• For further information, please contact: Derek Harris, head of public relations, 020 7299 4873, [email protected]