The journey to a more sustainable future is something that we all need to map out and here at Karbon, our journey to Net Zero is very much at the forefront of our decision making.
What is Net Zero?
Net Zero is the world’s answer to stopping climate change.
Net Zero is a target of completely reducing the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity. This is to be achieved by reducing emissions and implementing methods of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
We all need to radically reduce our carbon emissions to combat the effects of climate change. Reaching Net Zero will require many new measures, innovative solutions, aggressive government policies and plenty of human effort both at work and at home. (Source: Net Zero Week: https://netzeroweek.com/ )
Our Response to Climate Change project group is focusing on our journey to reaching Net Zero and how we can implement positive changes to reduce emissions and become more energy efficient.
Here are just some of the ways we’ve been able to make these changes and improvements:
Your climate canny landlord
Thanks to a vital boost in funding from the UK Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, we are currently improving the efficiency of more of our homes, by investing close to £2.5million in a range of energy saving measures over the next year.
We’re also committed to improving the energy performance of our new homes as well, designing and building them using modern methods of construction (MMC) from timber framed houses through to modular builds – these are homes that are built in a factory under strict supervision and tight controls and then transported to site.
Karbon customer Kerry is one of many enjoying the benefits of a warmer home after having external wall insulation fitted to her terrace home on Adderlane Road in Prudhoe:
“My heating used to be on practically all day for us to be comfortable, but now, after just an hour or so, the house is always nice and warm and most importantly, it stays warm after the heating has knocked off."
Green communities
We’re supporting local communities to protect the environment for future generations.
This includes increasing the use of responsibly sourced materials for building and repair work, reducing our use of diesel vehicles where possible and ensuring we find green ways to manage any waste we produce.
We’ve been able to implement some positive changes to how we manage our grassed areas in a more sympathetic approach to the environment by reducing how frequently we mow them.
These changes will help to reduce our carbon production, decrease pollution with a reduction in the use of our machinery and support more insects and wildlife to inhabit those areas, including pollinators like bees who can increase pollen sources and aids in the production of fruits and vegetables.
Customer Environment Group
We’re also bringing our you on our Net Zero journey with our Customer Environment Group. This gives customers the chance to have their say on our approach to the environment and climate change and ensure we are focusing on environmental issues affecting them.
Phil Thornton is a member of the Customer Environment Group and has really seen the benefits it can bring:
“It gives the chance for customers to be involved and have a voice so we can offer our thoughts on what organisations like Karbon can do. We have to move forward together in order to make change so the more you get involved the better.”
Net Zero homes
We’re also running several experiments to help us explore innovation in Net Zero homes.
We’re developing an environmental homes pilot to explore how different building, design and environmental regulations will impact on the Net Zero performance of these properties.
We’ve been trialling the use of battery storage with the Tesla Powerwall, a rechargeable home energy storage unit which provides essential electricity backup to support vulnerable customers.
We’re also looking to install infrared heating panels in one of our blocks of flats, offering a low cost and low maintenance option with efficiency savings of up to 60% compared to night storage heaters.
The next steps on the journey
There’s still a long way to go on our journey and we’re committed to making further improvements and changes over the next year and beyond, including providing you with advice and information to live a greener lifestyle and increasing the energy efficiency of all of our homes.
While this won’t all happen at once, these actions and more are in our plans. We’ll continue to update you with the latest innovations. improvements and achievements on our Net Zero journey.
The journey to a more sustainable future is something that we all need to map out and here at Karbon, our journey to Net Zero is very much at the forefront of our decision making.
What is Net Zero?
Net Zero is the world’s answer to stopping climate change.
Net Zero is a target of completely reducing the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity. This is to be achieved by reducing emissions and implementing methods of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
We all need to radically reduce our carbon emissions to combat the effects of climate change. Reaching Net Zero will require many new measures, innovative solutions, aggressive government policies and plenty of human effort both at work and at home. (Source: Net Zero Week: https://netzeroweek.com/ )
Our Response to Climate Change project group is focusing on our journey to reaching Net Zero and how we can implement positive changes to reduce emissions and become more energy efficient.
Here are just some of the ways we’ve been able to make these changes and improvements:
Your climate canny landlord
Thanks to a vital boost in funding from the UK Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, we are currently improving the efficiency of more of our homes, by investing close to £2.5million in a range of energy saving measures over the next year.
We’re also committed to improving the energy performance of our new homes as well, designing and building them using modern methods of construction (MMC) from timber framed houses through to modular builds – these are homes that are built in a factory under strict supervision and tight controls and then transported to site.
Karbon customer Kerry is one of many enjoying the benefits of a warmer home after having external wall insulation fitted to her terrace home on Adderlane Road in Prudhoe:
“My heating used to be on practically all day for us to be comfortable, but now, after just an hour or so, the house is always nice and warm and most importantly, it stays warm after the heating has knocked off."
Green communities
We’re supporting local communities to protect the environment for future generations.
This includes increasing the use of responsibly sourced materials for building and repair work, reducing our use of diesel vehicles where possible and ensuring we find green ways to manage any waste we produce.
We’ve been able to implement some positive changes to how we manage our grassed areas in a more sympathetic approach to the environment by reducing how frequently we mow them.
These changes will help to reduce our carbon production, decrease pollution with a reduction in the use of our machinery and support more insects and wildlife to inhabit those areas, including pollinators like bees who can increase pollen sources and aids in the production of fruits and vegetables.
Customer Environment Group
We’re also bringing our you on our Net Zero journey with our Customer Environment Group. This gives customers the chance to have their say on our approach to the environment and climate change and ensure we are focusing on environmental issues affecting them.
Phil Thornton is a member of the Customer Environment Group and has really seen the benefits it can bring:
“It gives the chance for customers to be involved and have a voice so we can offer our thoughts on what organisations like Karbon can do. We have to move forward together in order to make change so the more you get involved the better.”
Net Zero homes
We’re also running several experiments to help us explore innovation in Net Zero homes.
We’re developing an environmental homes pilot to explore how different building, design and environmental regulations will impact on the Net Zero performance of these properties.
We’ve been trialling the use of battery storage with the Tesla Powerwall, a rechargeable home energy storage unit which provides essential electricity backup to support vulnerable customers.
We’re also looking to install infrared heating panels in one of our blocks of flats, offering a low cost and low maintenance option with efficiency savings of up to 60% compared to night storage heaters.
The next steps on the journey
There’s still a long way to go on our journey and we’re committed to making further improvements and changes over the next year and beyond, including providing you with advice and information to live a greener lifestyle and increasing the energy efficiency of all of our homes.
While this won’t all happen at once, these actions and more are in our plans. We’ll continue to update you with the latest innovations. improvements and achievements on our Net Zero journey.
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