Karbon Homes’ commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations and housing management has been formally recognised, with the association being awarded the Gold accreditation by SHIFT, the housing sector’s leading sustainability standard.
From its latest SHIFT (sustainable homes index for tomorrow) assessment, which outlines how organisations are delivering against challenging environmental targets in six assessment areas, Karbon ranked 6th out of 40 recent assessments for comparable housing associations, with a score of 59.74%.
Karbon’s SHIFT score increased by 7.52% compared to the previous year, reflecting significant strides in environmental performance.
The most notable improvements were in the New Build assessment area, driven by a higher proportion of new homes achieving EPC A and high EPC B ratings. The emissions assessment for 2024/25 shows a reduction of indirect emissions across Karbon’s homes, offices, and maintenance operations, due to energy efficiency upgrades and the report further highlights Karbon’s strong performance in other key areas such as climate resilience, water and waste.
Craig Lonsdale, Asset and Sustainability Manager at Karbon Homes, said: “We’re proud to have achieved SHIFT Gold, a recognition that reflects the hard work of our teams and our commitment to building a sustainable future for our customers and communities.
“Karbon actively takes part in the SHIFT assessment as it provides a great strategic framework to monitor and improve sustainability performance of both our operations and our 34,000 homes across the North East and Yorkshire.
“We know there’s more to do, and our SHIFT 2025 Report gives us a clear roadmap on how we can continue improving.”
Over the next three years, Karbon has committed close to £13m to delivering energy efficiency improvement works to its homes bringing nearly 1000 lower performing homes up to a minimum of an EPC C rating.
£1.87m of that is a grant from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Warm Homes (Social Housing) fund, secured through a consortium of housing providers in the region and led by the Tees Valley Combined Authority. The grant will fund the installation of loft and cavity wall insulation and solar panels.
Resident engagement also scored highly in the assessment, at 97%, showing how Karbon’s customers are actively engaged in energy efficiency initiatives.
Isabel Maughan, a member of Karbon's Customer Environmental Group explains, "I find it really interesting being part of the group to learn about Karbon's environmental work. I've recently visited a treatment centre where Karbon is repurposing mine water to heat new homes and been involved with a woodland maintenance project.
"The group gives customers an opportunity to have a voice, putting our perspective across as the direct users of spaces or services and how it affects us. Karbon encourages customers to ask questions which may not have been considered before.
"The SHIFT Gold award is brilliant news and it's great to be able to contribute to shaping Karbon's sustainable activity for future generations."
The SHIFT report provides recommendations for improvements Karbon can make across all six elements of the assessment, including upgrading homes to EPC A, enhancing biodiversity and reducing embodied carbon in new builds. Backed by data-driven action, these developments strengthen the foundation for Karbon to progress towards its sustainability targets.
Karbon Homes’ commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations and housing management has been formally recognised, with the association being awarded the Gold accreditation by SHIFT, the housing sector’s leading sustainability standard.
From its latest SHIFT (sustainable homes index for tomorrow) assessment, which outlines how organisations are delivering against challenging environmental targets in six assessment areas, Karbon ranked 6th out of 40 recent assessments for comparable housing associations, with a score of 59.74%.
Karbon’s SHIFT score increased by 7.52% compared to the previous year, reflecting significant strides in environmental performance.
The most notable improvements were in the New Build assessment area, driven by a higher proportion of new homes achieving EPC A and high EPC B ratings. The emissions assessment for 2024/25 shows a reduction of indirect emissions across Karbon’s homes, offices, and maintenance operations, due to energy efficiency upgrades and the report further highlights Karbon’s strong performance in other key areas such as climate resilience, water and waste.
Craig Lonsdale, Asset and Sustainability Manager at Karbon Homes, said: “We’re proud to have achieved SHIFT Gold, a recognition that reflects the hard work of our teams and our commitment to building a sustainable future for our customers and communities.
“Karbon actively takes part in the SHIFT assessment as it provides a great strategic framework to monitor and improve sustainability performance of both our operations and our 34,000 homes across the North East and Yorkshire.
“We know there’s more to do, and our SHIFT 2025 Report gives us a clear roadmap on how we can continue improving.”
Over the next three years, Karbon has committed close to £13m to delivering energy efficiency improvement works to its homes bringing nearly 1000 lower performing homes up to a minimum of an EPC C rating.
£1.87m of that is a grant from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Warm Homes (Social Housing) fund, secured through a consortium of housing providers in the region and led by the Tees Valley Combined Authority. The grant will fund the installation of loft and cavity wall insulation and solar panels.
Resident engagement also scored highly in the assessment, at 97%, showing how Karbon’s customers are actively engaged in energy efficiency initiatives.
Isabel Maughan, a member of Karbon's Customer Environmental Group explains, "I find it really interesting being part of the group to learn about Karbon's environmental work. I've recently visited a treatment centre where Karbon is repurposing mine water to heat new homes and been involved with a woodland maintenance project.
"The group gives customers an opportunity to have a voice, putting our perspective across as the direct users of spaces or services and how it affects us. Karbon encourages customers to ask questions which may not have been considered before.
"The SHIFT Gold award is brilliant news and it's great to be able to contribute to shaping Karbon's sustainable activity for future generations."
The SHIFT report provides recommendations for improvements Karbon can make across all six elements of the assessment, including upgrading homes to EPC A, enhancing biodiversity and reducing embodied carbon in new builds. Backed by data-driven action, these developments strengthen the foundation for Karbon to progress towards its sustainability targets.
More news
Customer Environment Group learn about innovative approach to heating homes
Customers from our Environment Group recently took a behind-the-scenes visit to the Dawdon Mine Water Treatment Centre, where an exciting new ultra-low carbon energy project is taking shape.
Karbon Homes and Adderstone Foundation fund North Shields street art mural