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ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE
OUR SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
Our Sustainability Strategy, launched in March 2021, explains how we will achieve the goals we have set our business, grouped under five clear sustainability objectives.
Our activities continue to be informed by the materiality review, which we undertook with our stakeholders in 2020. These also closely align to 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a collection of interlinked aims designed as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
We are already making progress towards our goals. This page explains what we have achieved already and where we plan to focus activity over the next 12 months..
ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE
Our Sustainability Strategy consists of five pillars covering environmental, social and governance issues. This page sets out the highlights in year and our focus for 2022.
This year our sustainability activities were enhanced with the formation of a Group Sustainability Committee to oversee the implementation of our Sustainability Strategy.
NET ZERO CARBON
Becoming net zero carbon for both our operations and developments by 2030
NET ZERO CARBON
Becoming net zero carbon for both our operations and developments by 2030
ON TRACK
- April – Signed first Corporate Power Purchase Agreement
- December – Published net zero carbon pathway for operations and developments with science based target accredited by SBTi, and alignment with RIBA Climate Challenge benchmarks for embodied carbon and operational energy for future developments
- Creation of individual asset transition plans for every property
2022 FOCUS
- Ongoing development of the Sustainable Construction Framework
- Reduce embodied carbon in new developments, refurbishments and projects
RESOURCE EFFICIENT
Reducing waste, energy and water use and helping students adopt life-long sustainable behaviours
RESOURCE EFFICIENT
Reducing waste, energy and water use and helping students adopt life-long sustainable behaviours
ON TRACK
- Property improvement
projects including LED lighting,
heating controls and air-source
heat pumps - Completed scenario based
analysis of material climate-related
risks in line with TCFD - Trials commenced on reducing
water usage in properties - Piloted new waste and
recycling initiatives
2022 FOCUS
- Continued roll-out of water
and energy efficient initiatives
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Enhancing the health and wellbeing of our employees and students
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Enhancing the health and wellbeing of our employees and students
ON TRACK
- Improved employee
engagement score
of 75 (2020: 74) - October – Launch of
new employee Culture
Matters forum - Launch of a range of new
student support policies and
procedures which focus on
enhanced student wellbeing
2022 FOCUS
- Continued monitoring of
employee and student
engagement/listening forums - Refreshed student
support programme
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
An environment where all can succeed, whatever their background, gender or ethnicity
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
An environment where all can succeed, whatever their background, gender or ethnicity
ON TRACK
- Six module EDI leadership
workshop undertaken
by leaders
• Appointment of EDI &
Wellbeing lead - Ongoing commitment to invest
in social initiatives - Peer-to-peer support from
Resident Ambassadors
programme - Increased support for Unite
Foundation providing a long-term
funding agreement to
deliver their five-year plan
2022 FOCUS
- Relaunch of Leapskills and
Positive Impact employee
programmes - Focus on succession planning
and supporting personal
development through launch
of new training academy - Introduction of mentoring for
talent with high potential
RAISING STANDARDS
Raising standards across the student housing sector for governance, safety and transparency
RAISING STANDARDS
Raising standards across the student housing sector for governance, safety and transparency
ON TRACK
- GRESB score improved
to 85 (2020:81) - Climate risk scenario
modelling undertaken in
accordance with TCFD - Over £100 million investment
in supporting students during
Covid pandemic
2022 FOCUS
- Increase visibility and
assurance around
sustainability performance
with greater focus on
impact measures
Find out more
Download our sustainability report
Our Sustainability Strategy consists of five pillars. This report sets out the highlights in year and our focus for 2022.
Our Pathway to Net Zero
We are committed to doing the right thing, which is why our new Sustainability Strategy, launched in 2021, includes a commitment to become net zero carbon across our operations and developments by 2030.
QUICK LINKS
Environment
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
