Crest Nicholson has become the first UK housebuilder to have it’s net zero targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The SBTi validation confirms the targets set by Crest Nicholson are based on the latest climate science, and support the ambition to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement. Crest Nicholson’s target to reach net zero GHG emissions across its value chain by 2045 has been supported by a series of reduction commitments across its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
“The validation of our targets by the Science-Based Targets initiative ensures that our ambitions are aligned with the latest climate science and will contribute towards tackling the climate crisis.” said Mark Kershaw, group head of sustainability at Crest Nicholson.
“At Crest Nicholson, we continue to challenge ourselves to reduce emissions across our operations. We look forward to collaborating with our suppliers, partners and the wider industry to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable practices and take the required steps together towards achieving net zero.”
In order to achieve its 2045 goal, the British housebuilder has broken the task down into short and long-term targets. In the short term, the company is working to reduce its emissions from scope 1 and 2 by 60% by 2030 compared to a baseline of 2019. For its scope 3 emissions, which are far more challenging to reduce, the company aims to cut down by 55% per square meter completed floor area compared to a similar 2019 baseline.
Long-term, scope 1 and 2 emissions should be reduced by 90% from the 2019 base year, and scope 3 by 95% per square meter completed floor area.
Measures taken to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions include the efficient use of plant and equipment on site, the trial of lower carbon technologies, such as hybrid generators and an electric telehandler, the use of alternative low carbon fuels, and the increasing procurement of renewable electricity.
To reduce emissions relating to scope 3, Crest Nicholson will continue to review the design, technologies, and materials used within its homes. It is also a member of the Future Homes Hub’s Embodied and Whole Life Carbon Workgroup, which is developing guidance, tools, and an implementation plan to support an industry-wide reduction in whole life carbon.
According to the UK governments ‘Building to net zero: costing carbon in construction’ report, the UK’s construction industry is responsible for 25% of the UK’s GHG emissions and is critical to the UK hitting its net zero target. However, many construction firms are concerned that they will be unable to achieve their carbon reduction targets due to significant blockers, such as the cost of living crisis.
