Associations ‘won’t slow down’ net zero plans despite scrapped targets

Clare Miller, chief executive of Clarion Housing Group, said: “Our targets to cut carbon and reach net zero will stay. It’s the right thing to do to support our residents.

“We need a national drive to improve the energy efficiency of social housing, which will cut emissions and cut energy bills. We’ve partnered with the government on the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and we know that improving the energy efficiency of homes creates new green jobs in the supply chain and leads to better health outcomes for our residents.

“Clarion will stay the course and continue to invest in homes that are fit for the future and we hope government will set out a framework to do the same.”

Mark Newstead, director of major programmes at L&Q, said: “The latest government statement does not change our sustainability strategy and investment goals. We remain committed to making our residents’ homes more comfortable and affordable for them to heat and run, by investing in better insulation, cutting carbon emissions and making homes warmer and more cost-efficient.”

Greg Reed, group chief executive of Places for People, said: “Our path is clear – despite the uncertainty, we won’t slow down, and will only continue with our focus, our commitment, and our work.

“We will push ahead to reduce carbon output across our organisation, to continue to build energy-efficient new homes, and to continue to make our existing customers’ homes more energy efficient. And we know how important this last thing is for our customers in terms of helping them with their energy bills in light of current cost of living pressures.

“Affordable housing should play – and will play – a major role in the UK’s journey to net zero. But as I have said many times, we can only do so much without the continued support of, and commitment from, government. So we must work together on a long-term net zero plan.”

Jamie Ratcliff, chief communities and sustainability officer at Sovereign Network Group, said: “The UK has the draughtiest homes in Europe. It’s a great shame to water down commitments to address that.

“Making homes warmer, healthier and easier to heat isn’t just good for the people that live in them, it also improves our national energy security – reducing dependency on authoritarian regimes. The PM’s announcements do not dilute our ambitions at SNG.”

Matthew Walker, chief executive of Leeds Federated Housing Association, said: “At Leeds Federated we have already provided for the full cost of achieving EPC C for our customers by 2030. The reasons for this are in part because of the obligation to do so, but also because it is the right thing to do – to help reduce customers’ fuel bills in the midst of the cost of living crisis.

“While the prime minister’s announcement last week may well impact the first of these reasons, the second remains just as much a priority and as such we do not intend to materially change the provisions for this work in our business plan.”

Nick Atkin, chief executive of Yorkshire Housing, said: “Despite recent announcements, Yorkshire Housing remains committed to being a low-carbon business. A key element to achieving this is through the delivery of our plans to decarbonise our existing homes. This is part of our wider strategic commitment to continuing to create homes and places to be proud of, that are fit for the future, and where our customers want to live.

“When you consider that the 25 million homes in the UK emit more carbon than the 27 million cars on the roads, and that one in six homes are social rented, housing providers such as Yorkshire Housing clearly have a key role to play if we are to decarbonise the UK economy.”

The housing association “remains committed” to achieving at least EPC C ratings across all its homes by 2030 and is also delivering larger-scale retrofit projects, he added.

Contractors also criticised the government’s U-turns as “short sighted”.

Derek Horrocks, chair of the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG), told Inside Housing: “We’re not in a position to be backpedalling on green initiatives, especially those that concern the housing industry. The decisions we make today are crucial as they will impact the country and the planet for decades to come.

“The drive toward net zero needs to be given the focus it deserves and therefore certain plans need to be in place if we’re to meet the net zero goals we have set. Despite this, the prime minister’s speech on sustainability seems decidedly short sighted. 

“The many measures, initiatives and policies that have been either toned down or let go of altogether have significantly shaken confidence in the retrofit decarbonisation sector. From contractors and building products manufacturers to training providers, supply chain assurance is needed.

“One of the core pillars of the NHDG is collaboration on policy, but central government has to meet us halfway. It has to demonstrate it recognises the importance of the work we are completing currently and the future that we are planning for.”