NextGeneration, the benchmark which assesses and ranks the UK’s 25 largest homebuilders on their sustainability performance has released its annual report which names Lendlease, Barratt Developments Plc and Redrow as the UK’s most sustainable homebuilders
Lendlease tops this year’s sustainability performance for the third year in a row. Lendlease’s Elephant and Castle development is 1 of 19 climate positive developments globally and it also recently secured a Global Healthy Workplaces Award.
Barratt Developments Plc and Redrow come in second and third place respectively. Telford Homes and Taylor Wimpey place fourth and fifth, and are awarded a NextGeneration Gold Award for the first time.
Paul King, Managing Director Sustainability & External Affairs – Europe at Lendlease said: “Sustainability is woven into everything we do and plays a critical part of every decision we make. Maintaining this focus enables us to create places that benefit the people and communities living in them now and also those that will use them in the future.”
The benchmark assesses UK homebuilders on a wide range of indicators of high quality, sustainable housebuilding, and each company is given an overall percentage score out of 100. The criteria cover strategy and governance, environment, society and economy, and disclosure and transparency.
Companies represented in the benchmark have a total turnover of over £29bn and account for 63% of all new homes built in the past year. This year’s analysis reveals that NextGeneration members, of which there are seven, are leading the homebuilding industry with an average sustainability score of 75%, well above the industry average of 37%.
The report also identifies three key areas of risk and opportunity for homebuilders to focus on to solidify their business’ future: supporting employee health, promoting thermal comfort and embracing modern methods of construction.
Innovation Award
This year, the Innovation Award was given to Linden Homes for their efforts to achieve Gender Inclusion. The lack of diversity and inclusion, along with the challenges of the skills gap, are industry-wide issues. In recognition of this, Linden Homes has implemented a number of initiatives to attract a diverse range of people into the industry.
Julie Hirigoyen, CEO of the UK Green Building Council commented: “In a world where we need to stay below 1.5 degrees according to the IPCC, it is more important than ever for housebuilders to be producing homes that are fit for purpose, both now and in the future.
“NextGeneration provides a robust benchmark of the housebuilding industry, and, crucially, helps companies consider where they must focus their efforts in order to be sustainability leaders.”
Emma Hoskyn, Acting Head of Sustainability of JLL UK, added: “The NextGeneration Initiative plays an important role in improving the sustainability of the UK’s homes by providing a robust and independent benchmark of the ambitions and performance of homebuilders. JLL are proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to working with homebuilders to deliver better homes for residents, communities and for the environment.”
To read the full report click here.
