Now more than ever, we need to take care of the world around us and ensure its survival for future generations.
And with 40% of carbon emissions coming from homes, we have made a commitment to play our part in creating a healthier, greener future - by designing new environmentally friendly homes and reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse gases from existing homes.
Learn about our approach to meeting net zero for our existing homes by watching the animation below:
Creating better homes for a healthier, greener future transcript
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Our planet is heating up and fast.
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A warming climate increases extreme weather events, like flooding and drought.
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But there is good news. By designing new environmentally friendly homes and reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from existing homes, we can help limit the effect of climate change and reduce how much energy we use.
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Many of us know about reduce, reuse and recycle. But what's less known is that 40% of all carbon emissions come from the home, either in the carbon used to build them or to heat and live in them.
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So what does this mean in practice? We must minimise the carbon built into new homes.
By considering materials and equipment which need less maintenance and have a low carbon footprint.
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Use energy sources that are better for the environment. By phasing out gas boilers for renewable energy sources. Installing solar panels and storing this green electricity in
batteries.
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And reduce the energy we need to run the home, not just turning off lights and appliances and having showers instead of baths. But by installing better insulation and ventilation and energy efficient heating.
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That's why SNG is already building to our new sustainable homes and place standard.
And we're improving all our existing homes to the same standard. So that they're warmer healthier and better for you and the future
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By 2050 all our homes will be environmentally friendly cheaper to run and NetZero carbon.
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What does this mean for you? You might be in a home that needs some work to make it comfortable and bring it up to a higher standard.
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We'll take a tailored approach to your home like replacing older doors and windows and adding wall and loft insulation to keep in more heat and reduce draughts.
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We’ll be replacing outdated heating systems and installing smarter technologies like air source heat pumps, solar panels and batteries (reducing energy bills too).
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Sometimes it's not possible to improve a home in these ways. It might be better to replace homes, so that we can regenerate a whole area instead including supporting residents with rehousing.
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As well as greener homes, we'll look at creating neighbourhoods, which encourage green transport and provide green spaces.
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It's an ambitious program and it won't happen overnight. But with your help we'll build a healthier greener future together.
What can I do to help?
Only together can we truly tackle climate change. And we don’t have to make big changes to make a difference - if everyone took even a few small actions, they would soon add up.
The first step to work out what you can do to help, is calculating your carbon footprint. These are the activities which cause the biggest climate change emissions. The main contributors are:
- heating and powering our homes (as well as the energy that goes into the materials to build them)
- how we get around – particularly car use
- what we eat
- the things we buy.
There are a few tools you can use to help you calculate your carbon footprint:
- WWF footprint calculator
- an easy to use tool, which gives you some great information. - Carbon footprint – this one needs a bit more information but provides a more detailed output.
Now that you've calculated your carbon footprint, take a look at our hints and tips in the links below to help you reduce your impact on the planet.
Your home and travel
Taking action to reduce your emissions at home and with travel will make a big difference – to the environment and your bank balance.
Lifestyle
Food, clothes and furniture all play a part in creating significant waste. Check out our suggestions for where to start with cutting back.
Waste and recycling
Reduce your waste, reuse items and recycle what you can in your area!