Our continuing conversation on sustainability
07 March 2022
On 27 January 2022, we held our second virtual residents' event on the topic of sustainability, and what we can do to work towards being even more environmentally friendly.
Residents heard more about our updated sustainability strategy which outlines our approach to a more sustainable future. Our Head of Sustainability & Asset Management, Leila Musa gave a short presentation and highlighted the importance of energy efficiency at home. Residents heard that 61% of CO2 emissions at home come from the use of heating, with 22% coming from home lighting and the use of appliances. The running of hot water uses 12% and cooking uses 4%. These are all things that we can limit and use more consciously.
It was helpful for us to hear residents’ views on these aspects of sustainability, and more importantly, their views on how Network Homes and residents can work together to achieve our sustainability goals. One of the topics we discussed was how we could successfully gain access into resident’s homes to complete retrofitting work. Retrofitting involves making improvements to homes make them more environmentally sustainable. We had some great recommendations and insight from residents at the event, which we’re working to implement going forwards.
Since our last sustainability event in 2021, we’ve taken strides in the work we’re doing - from recruiting residents to work with us as Sustainability Ambassadors to starting large scale projects which improvement the heating and hot water systems for our properties. We’re getting there, but we recognise that need to do more.
How can you help?
We welcome residents’ feedback and insights, and we’d love you to work with us to be as sustainable as possible. A couple of ways you can get involved are:
- Become a Sustainability Ambassador- this is a new role, and it is an opportunity to work closely with our Head of Sustainability & Asset Management to in your community to promote sustainability in residents’ homes
- Let us know what you think of our strategy! We’ll be holding further resident events to discuss the work we’re doing, and will share details of this on our website, social media and in our resident newsletter. It’s crucial that we hear the views of residents and have open discussion- why not come along and give us your views?
By working with us you’ll hear more about our work to:
- tackle fuel poverty;
- Develop a retrofit programme and roadmap to decarbonise residents homes;
- Get residents and colleagues involved in meeting our environmental commitments and objectives.
If you’d like to be a part of this exciting and crucial work, email us a get-involved@networkhomes.org.uk .
