UK’s largest housebuilder announces major new targets to reduce carbon emissions

UK’s largest housebuilder announces major new targets to reduce carbon emissions

• Barratt Developments to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 – the first major housebuilder to do so
• 100% of own electricity to be renewable by 2025
• New home design to be net zero carbon from 2030

Barratt Developments has today announced 3 new carbon emissions targets as part of its drive to become the country’s leading national sustainable housebuilder.

By 2040 Barratt will become a net zero emissions business covering all of its direct operations. Earlier this year it became the first national housebuilder to publish science- based targets for reducing carbon emissions, and the new net zero goal extends this sustainability roadmap further as it works across the industry to combat climate change.

Identifying and implementing what is needed to achieve these reductions will be an ongoing process across the entire Barratt business. For instance, reducing diesel use will involve new technology such as solar assisted generators, whilst driving down plant emissions on site and improving the energy credentials of its buildings will all help Barratt to achieve the 2040 net zero target.

Beyond its own footprint, Barratt is also committed to delivering low carbon homes for its customers and has set a new target to ensure its new standard housetypes will be net zero carbon by 2030. This will be achieved by continuing with a ‘fabric first’ approach over the next 10 years covering such elements as better insulation, more efficient services and new green technology.

The third new target that Barratt has committed to is to purchase 100% of its operational electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Just under half of the electricity it already purchases is from renewables and achieving the new 100% target will help it to reduce emissions by a further 3,300 tonnes of carbon.

Barratt has already worked hard to reduce its carbon emissions – since 2015 it has achieved a 22% reduction. Initiatives such as improving plant efficiency and rolling out energy efficient show home lighting have all driven carbon emissions savings.

David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments, said: “We are committed to adapting our business to support the low carbon economy which the UK is building. These new targets further demonstrate our commitment to take responsibility for our share of carbon emissions and to play our part in combatting climate change.”

Notes to editors:

• 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

Tel, 020 7299 4873 / e-mail, [email protected]

About Barratt Developments PLC:

Barratt Developments plc sold 17,856 homes in the year to June 2019, making it the biggest housebuilder by volume in Britain. Over the past seven years Barratt Group has increased its housing output by 40% - building more of the homes the country needs. Barratt is committed to building quality homes and this year received more NHBC Pride in the Job Quality awards than any other housebuilder and was awarded 5 stars by the HBF for customer satisfaction for the eleventh year in a row. For more information visit www.barrattdevelopmentsplc.co.uk