Support for the Future Homes Delivery Plan

Future Homes Task Force

The Future Homes Task Force is part of the Home Builders Federation (HBF), it contains a variety of representatives from across all of the sectors who shape new homes, including: government, housebuilders, utility providers, material suppliers and environmental groups. Thakeham have been a driving force within the Task Force to ensure there is bold sector-wide plan for achieving the environmental targets set by the UK government.

The Future Homes Delivery Plan

The Future Homes Task Force has agreed to a Delivery Plan, which holds UK housebuilders accountable to reach a set of environmental goals.

The Delivery Plan goals are:

• High-quality homes that are zero carbon ready, sustainable, while being healthy, safe and comfortable from 2025
• Places and developments that are consistently low carbon, nature-rich, resilient, healthy well designed and beautiful by 2025
• Production and construction methods that are net zero and sustainable by 2050 with substantial progress by 2025 and 2030
• Businesses operations in line with the Race to Zero: net zero by 2050 with a 50% reduction by 2030

At Thakeham, we have had these goals in place since we launched our Net Zero by 2025 at our What’s Next 2020 supply chain event. We believe that climate change is one of the most significant environmental challenges of the 21st century, and that we have a responsibility to act now. We have been taking a highly proactive approach in responding to the climate crisis, setting ourselves challenging targets. Our level of understanding behind the relationship between operational and production carbon emissions means that we are in a leading position to support the Future Homes Delivery Plan.

Rob Boughton, CEO, Thakeham Group, said:

We are proud to be part of the industry drive towards a zero carbon future. This report, and the continual work of the Future Homes Task Force, exemplifies how sector plans are a fantastic way to align members and engage stakeholders on the interim steps needed to transition. Thakeham have been able to share our zero carbon placemaking principles with the wider HBF membership throughout the process, representing the art of the possible for each Roadmap. We look forward to continuing the drive, eliminating barriers to the successful implementation of a more sustainable future for our planet, and the people living in the communities we create.

Net Zero by 2025

From 2025, every Thakeham home will be zero carbon in operation.

For this to be possible, it means that the carbon emissions associated with the operation of the homes we create are zero and is achieved by making the home highly efficient and using renewable energy for electricity and heating.

From 2025, every Thakeham home will be carbon neutral in production.

In the process of building each home, we have reduced the carbon emissions associated with materials, delivery and the production process as far as possible and then offset what we can’t eliminate, by buying carbon offsets.
From 2025, Thakeham Group will also be a zero carbon business.
Being a zero carbon business means reducing and offsetting the carbon emissions the business produces not already covered by the above commitment, such as business travel and the energy used in our offices and sales suites.

Josie Thornewill, Head of Sustainability, said:

It’s so important to show leadership in the face of climate change. Thakeham’s commitments to Net Zero by 2025 are streets ahead of the rest of the industry, which is why we want to share our journey and inspire others to join us. Being a member of the Future Homes Task Force is a great way to showcase our Sustainability Strategy and tackle some of the resistance and obstacles in the industry.

Race to Zero & SME Climate Hub

To achieve our climate action goals, we work in partnership with leading organisations. Race to zero is a UN backed global non-governmental alliance of companies, regions, investors and civil society groups.

Overall, this alliance is aiming to halve carbon emissions by 2030. Individually, those who sign up are committed to net zero emissions as quickly as possible, and by 2050 at the latest.

Thakeham were the first UK Housebuilder to sign the SME Climate Commitment, committing us to the UN’s Race To Zero.

Race to zero represents an opportunity to be part of a global movement of non-government actors aiming to create a health, resilient and zero carbon economy. It demonstrates our commitment to carbon reduction is credible and transparent and will meet the requirements of this global partnership.

To read more about how we are carrying out our sustainability goals, click here.