ESG Round-up February

Hello and welcome to our ESG and sustainability round up.??

This bulletin is your one-stop-shop update for the most significant news in the world of ESG and sustainability across the UK built environment and beyond.??

We hope you enjoy the read!??

Best regards,??

Team Social???

Ann Santry CBE, chair of the Shared Ownership Council , will be our guest at our next impact chat on Wednesday 26th February.?

We'll be discussing Ann's 35 years in housing, and her current role at the Council, which has led the creation and launch of a new Shared Ownership Code to promote best practice and serve the interests of consumers and industry alike. We'll also be discussing the future for shared ownership and where it might fit in the government's housing strategy.?

You can register here.?

ESG: built environment focus – our top 10?

Here’s our must-read pick of the top stories from the last few weeks in the built environment.?

1. Mixed-use: the answer to housing and sustainability challenges? This article discusses the potential of mixed-use developments to address housing and sustainability challenges in urban areas. Learn more here.?
2. The funding and sustainability of local government finance - Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee launches new inquiry: The HCLG Committee’s inquiry?will?examine the?significant funding pressures?in local government?and?will also?look at?the?level of?control?which?local authorities have over?both?the?funding they receive and their costs?for providing services. Find out more here.?
3. Why housing is a frontline defense against climate change: Housing plays a major role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring a sustainable future. This article urges world leaders to recognise the impact of housing adaptation in their climate action. Read here.?
4. Places for People launches new ESG Strategy: The strategy outlines its comprehensive approach to ESG with the goal of creating thriving and resilient communities. Read the strategy here.?
5. Octopus Energy and Vistry agree ‘zero bills’ partnership: Octopus Energy and Vistry Group have signed a groundbreaking ‘zero bills’ partnership that they say will revolutionise the housing market by eliminating household energy bills. Read more here.?
6. Fuel poverty on rise in Scotland despite improved housing quality: Fuel poverty is on the rise in Scotland despite homes becoming more energy efficient, according to official data. Find out more here.?
7. Private landlord EPC consultation open: Government is proposing to raise the minimum energy efficiency standard required of privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C by 2030. Read more about the consultation here, here and here.?
8. Clarion introduces William Sutton Prize: Clarion Housing Group introduces its biggest prize yet to celebrate its 125 years anniversary. Learn more here.?
9. Businesses respond to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) consultation: Better Society Capital collaborated with the Impact Investing Institute in submitting a response to the Government’s LGPS consultation. Read their insights here and here.?
10. More than 100,000 homes in England could be built in highest-risk flood zones – Exclusive: Analysis suggests development in flood regions result of Labour push for 1.5m new homes in five years. Find out more here.?

ESG: the bigger picture – our top 11?

Here’s our must-read pick of the top stories from the last few weeks in the wider ESG world.??

1. Unilever merges corporate affairs and sustainability after comms boss departure: Unilever’s sustainability chief has taken on corporate affairs responsibilities as part of a comms reshuffle at the consumer goods multinational. Read here.?
2. Government embarks on public engagement on climate change: Rachael Orr, CEO of Climate Outreach, reacts to the announcement of the UK Government publishing its Public Participation Strategy in 2025 as part of its net zero plans. View the LinkedIn post here.?
3. BlackRock quits climate group as Wall Street lowers environmental profile: BlackRock,?the world's biggest asset manager, said it will leave the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, the latest Wall Street firm to depart an environmentally focused investor group under pressure from Republican politicians. Find out more here.?
4. How the climate crisis fuels devastating wildfires: ‘We have tweaked nature and pissed it off’: John Vaillant, the author of Fire Weather, explains why fires such as those in Los Angeles are different from those before. Read more here.?
5. European investors stay committed to ESG: More than 65% of European investors, at least ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th US president, still consider environmental, social and governance factors as important when it comes to portfolio asset allocation, shows a survey by investment manager Fidelity International. Learn more here.?
6. Does ESG stand a chance in the Trump 2.0 era? The article looks at Trump’s return to US presidency and its expectation to hinder the ESG movement through legislative and regulatory rollbacks, impacting both domestic and international sustainability efforts. Read more here.?
7. Leading global brands like Nestlé, Unilever, and Mars Urge EU to Protect Sustainability Laws: A coalition of 11 global corporations, including Unilever, Nestlé, Mars, and DP World, has urged the European Commission not to dilute existing sustainability reporting standards through its forthcoming omnibus package. Find out more here?
8. KPMG: Just 29% of companies are ready for ESG data verification - Despite looming regulatory deadlines to report on ESG, just 29% of companies feel ready to have their ESG data independently verified, up only a fraction from nine months ago, according to research from KPMG. Learn more here?
9. Rachel Reeves backs renewables and SAF for UK economy: UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to shift the UK’s energy landscape including investment in SAF & removing barriers to offshore wind development. Read more here?
10. Social impact investment Advisory Group has been established: Sarah Teacher, Co-CEO at Impact Investing Institute, reacts to the HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announcing the formation of a Social Impact Investment Advisory Group. Find out more here?
11. Exclusive: UK government’s Social Impact Investment Advisory Group members revealed: Thirteen representatives of impact investors, local government, asset managers and institutional investors will advise the Treasury on the development of a new social impact investing vehicle – but no social entrepreneurs are included. Read more here?

Social 'Out and About'??

Over the past month, Social has been attending some events. Below is a summary of what we’ve been up to:??

NHF: Comms & Influencing in Housing Conference, London – 21st January??

Last month, the Social Team attended the NHF: Comms & Influencing Housing Conference, one of the leading events for communication professionals in housing -? discussing ways to communicate and build lasting relationships with residents and stakeholders.? ?

Read these blogs from our directors, Becki Ord and Luke Cross, on the importance of storytelling and starting conversations to solve the housing crisis.?

Social Housing Finance Conference, London – 19th-20th March?

Our director Luke Cross will be at the NHF Finance conference in Liverpool 19-20 March. Please do get in touch if you’d like to catch up for a coffee and a chat on all things ESG and financial comms in sector – [email protected]?

A track record of helping housing providers on their ESG journey...??

Social and? Newbridge have been supporting some of the most forward-thinking housing providers in the sector for several years on their ESG journey, providing an end-to-end service across ESG strategy management, stakeholder communication and engagement, frameworks and financing integration, and reporting.??

We can support you with:??

• insights on key trends and issues both in the sector and out of the sector??

• embedding ESG thinking and process across the organisation and its culture???

• running ESG workshops and engagement for all levels across the business, and external stakeholders??

• benchmarking disclosures versus best practices in the sector??

• supporting or leading on the delivery of your ESG reporting???

• offering guidance on reporting standards, frameworks, sustainability labels and rating services??

• providing insights and views from the funder community??

For more information about how our partnership could benefit you, contact Luke Cross at [email protected]??

Thank you for reading!

If you would like to speak with us about our work in the ESG and sustainability space – from strategic communications and stakeholder engagement to reporting and disclosure – and our wider work in helping purpose-driven businesses to tell their story in credible and engaging ways, please get in touch.

Email us: [email protected]

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