Legal & General commits to net zero carbon homes

Legal & General has announced that it is to make all of its new housing stock net zero carbon by 2030. 

The housebuilder said the move would be implemented in a phased approach across all homes invested in or built by its group including: Build to Rent, Build to Sell, later living and affordable housing.

Net zero carbon will be achieved on all new Legal & General homes through a combination of improved thermal building fabric and the use of environmental control systems, including low and zero-carbon technologies.

The group has also been piloting energy-saving initiatives through the design and operation of its house-building businesses.

Legal & General Modular Homes’ product portfolio — which will form all future developments and consists of two and three bedroom family homes along with one and two bedroom apartments — meets the government’s EPC ‘A’ rating as standard.

Inspired Villages, Legal & General’s later living business, have successfully reduced utility consumption by 30% across its properties, with 10% of parking spaces reserved for electric vehicle charging.

‘We have to Build Back Better after Covid-19. Construction is rocket fuel for UK economic growth: every pound invested delivers a threefold economic multiplier and the housebuilding sector provides jobs and vital economic resilience,’ said chief executive, Nigel Wilson.

‘But as we accelerate building, we have to avoid stoking up a climate crisis that would be at least as serious as the COVID emergency.

‘Across our own housing platform, we continue to invest and progress planning for future developments, providing much needed economic stimulus and accelerating the delivery of homes across the UK,’ added Mr Wilson.

‘We are doing this with climate firmly in mind. By enabling all new Legal & General homes to be operationally net carbon neutral within a decade, the emission of many tonnes of greenhouse gasses will be avoided, whilst saving customers money and meeting the needs of investors who increasingly focus on sustainable solutions.’

Photo Credit — Skitterphoto (Pixabay)