LEADING independent housebuilder Stewart Milne Homes has significantly improved its sustainability credentials according to the 2022 NextGeneration annual report.
The ‘NextGeneration Benchmark’ is the annual sustainability standard of the 25 largest homebuilders in the UK, plus any other voluntary participants, with companies assessed on publicly available sustainability information against over 60 public criteria, covering the Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) spectrum.
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2022 data shows Stewart Milne Homes has moved up seven places compared with 2021, demonstrating an improvement of 15%, putting the company in the top two within its peer group.
Results show the company was in the top quartile for ‘Future Proofing’, ‘Design and Placemaking’ and ‘Health and Safety’.
Iona Deacon, associate at Jones Lang Lasalle, responsible for Next Generation in the UK said: “NextGeneration was delighted to welcome Stewart Milne Homes as Benchmark members in 2022. Their engagement with the process and initial progression in the rankings demonstrates their commitment to sustainability and the actions already being undertaken. NextGeneration look forward to continued collaboration with Stewart Milne Homes, to help them achieve their ambitions.”
Stewart Dalgarno, Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Stewart Milne Group, said: “Over the past year we have worked extra hard to improve our sustainability credentials, the results of which are evident in NextGeneration’s 2022 annual report. The assessment really takes a ‘deep dive’ with 100s of data points covered. It is important to establish a benchmark so we can continue to improve on our net zero goals. Being part of this independently recognised initiative, and to be recognised among the UK’s leading housebuilders, is a positive step forward for us.
“Our 2023 sustainability strategy underpins our goal to become a net zero carbon home builder by 2045. We are committed to delivering net zero carbon homes and sustainable communities, working closely with residents and local organisations. Our school eco-garden wildlife projects and our new hedgehog homes initiative demonstrate that we are passionate about creating ‘people-shaped places’, creating and enhancing communities where people want to live, work and play.”
Stewart Milne Homes believes that being open and transparent with industry and consumers, publicly assessing its progress and adjusting its approach, is an important part of its sustainability journey.
Isobel Warnock, Sales Manager at Stewart Milne Homes, added: “Consumers are increasingly aware of the role they play in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions and rightly so. They feel strongly about living and working in areas where preserving the environment is a key consideration. Our future plans are to introduce optional sustainability packages giving buyers the opportunity to improve their home energy performance and reduce their carbon footprint with, for example, increased solar panels, SMART controllers, and electric vehicle charging points.”
For more information on Stewart Milne Homes’ sustainability strategy, action plan and goals, visit the Stewart Milne website.
