Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Community Engagement
• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Responsibility
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Delivered over 500 new homes built off-site with modern methods of construction, bringing environmental benefits.
• Increased use of sectional-building technology reducing waste and emissions.
• Commitment to plant 1,000 trees across all developments.
• Launched an electric vehicle scheme for staff.
• Use of White Rose Clothes Banks for recycling.
• Implementation of solar panels in some developments.
• Availability of car charging points in some developments.

Social Achievements

• Donated £100,000 to charities (Mind UK, The Trussell Trust, Women’s Aid, Centrepoint) based on resident poll.
• Supported 10 schools with various projects (sensory rooms, gardens, fitness equipment).
• Continued support for local children's sports clubs.
• Worked with Salford Foundation to mentor students.
• Supported Park Palace Ponies.
• Provided 20% rent reduction for NHS residents for 3 months.
• Donated to local food banks and homeless charities.
• Organized virtual Easter egg hunt and summer ice cream dash.
• Launched 'My Simple Life' resident portal.
• Ceased charging pet premium.

Governance Achievements

• Joined the United Nations Global Compact.
• Undertook thorough examination of house building partner policies regarding environmental practices.
• Required delivery partners to demonstrate policies on supply chain management, resource usage, and biodiversity.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Covid-19 pandemic impacting community events and school projects.
• Supply chain disruptions (implied by sectional building technology adoption).

Mitigation Strategies

• Adapted community events to online formats.
• Implemented sectional building technology to improve control over cost and availability of raw materials.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Due diligence process examining house building partner policies on environmental practices, supply chain management, resource usage, and biodiversity.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Sectional building technology

Awards & Recognition

• Property Management Awards – Build to Rent Provider of the Year 2019

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Installation of more solar panels
• Enhanced planting for biodiversity
• Opportunities for residents to access sustainably responsible products through the SaveMoneyCutCarbon club
• Addition of book boxes
• Reduced Countryside site energy use through PIR lighting and generator efficiency improvements
• 100% of homes fitted with water meters, flow restrictors, and dual flush cisterns
• 13.6t CO2 offset achieved through partnership with Pinksheep
• Installation of photovoltaic panels across multiple sites (Empyrean, Prescot Park, Earle Street, Hollystone Bank, Brookside Grange, Havenswood, Canalside, Holyoake, Ashfield Park, Stonefield Edge, Fresh Wharf, Beam Park)

Social Achievements

• Launched My Simple Life mobile app
• Peace of Mind Month initiative
• Health & Wellbeing series
• Virtual Easter Egg Hunt
• Resident date night competition
• Christmas online bedtime stories
• Christmas tree competition
• Autumn Pizza Events
• Clothes Banks implemented on apartment schemes
• Supported various charities (e.g., Salford Loaves & Fishes, Centrepoint, NSPCC, Women’s Aid, CHAS, British Heart Foundation, Zoë’s Place, Wigan & Leigh Deaf Children’s Society, Black Country Touring, The Big Help Project, The Well, Claire House Children’s Hospice, Acorns Children’s Hospice)
• Supported colleagues' charity activities
• Supported small businesses through promotion
• Launched Simple Life Book Guardians project
• Partnership with The Outward Bound Trust for 'Building for My Future' program
• Sponsorship of Sale United Girls Football Club and Upton Panthers

Governance Achievements

• Appointment of a dedicated ESG Director
• Working towards GRESB rating and joining EPRA
• Appointed EVORA as sustainability consultant
• Formation of an ESG Working Group
• Signed up to the UN Global Compact
• Reviewed and updated Sigma’s Corporate Governance Statement in line with the QCA Corporate Governance Code
• Appointment of Geeta Nanda, OBE, to the PRS REIT Board

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Worldwide impact and enduring consequences of the pandemic
• Transitional challenges related to the ban on gas boilers in new homes
• Need for data gathering to fully understand the benefits of alternative energy sources
• Need for improved charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
• Increased need for Foodbanks due to the pandemic

Mitigation Strategies

• Proactive discussion and planning with partners regarding gas boiler ban
• Data gathering from photovoltaic panels at Empyrean and other sites
• Installation of EV charging points
• Collaboration with partners to address challenges
• Providing financial support to Foodbanks

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Partnership with Countryside Properties, EQUANS, Sheffield Housing Council, Seddon Group, Vistry Group, and Springfield Group; focus on sustainable construction methods, reduced waste, and energy efficiency

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products and technologies

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact, GRESB, EPRA, Social Value Portal (SVP), Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (HACT), UN Sustainable Development Goals, UN Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI), Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), QCA Corporate Governance Code

Awards & Recognition

• Yorkshire Insider Property Awards Public Private Partnership 2020
• Insider NW Residential Property Awards Residential Operator of the Year 2021

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• 100% of homes are rated EPC C or above; 86% are EPC B and above
• On average, the Company’s homes were 74% cheaper to run annually than homes built between 1900-1929, with running costs 25% lower compared to homes built in 2011.
• 20% of homes benefit from access to solar electricity through photovoltaic panels
• 966 homes with PV panels installed (20% of portfolio)
• Estimated 592,584 kWh/yr generated by PV panels; Estimated 148,864 kg/yr CO2 emissions avoided
• 100% compliance for Gas Safety Certificates, EICR Electrical Safety Inspections, and Fire Risk Assessments
• 99.8% of waste diverted from landfill during construction (FY21 data from Countryside Partnerships)

Social Achievements

• Launched the ‘My Simple Life’ app for resident engagement
• Over £150,000 donated to communities, charities, and initiatives
• Resident events such as pizza nights, date nights, and Christmas celebrations
• Peace of Mind Month competition recognizing residents' positive contributions
• Health and Wellbeing Series with resident-led videos
• Partnership with Save Money Cut Carbon offering 120 annual club memberships
• Wellbeing Roadshow with Clever Cogz, engaging over 120 residents and schools
• Building for My Future course in partnership with The Outward Bound Trust

Governance Achievements

• Established an ESG Working Group
• Completed initial Environmental Management System (EMS)
• Strong first submission score of 24/30 to GRESB (Management Component)
• No reportable health and safety incidents

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Global economic challenges and energy price increases
• Impact of Covid-19 on delivery rates
• Availability of materials and workforce
• Developing a suitable ESG framework for residential family homes

Mitigation Strategies

• Energy efficiency study to demonstrate cost savings for residents
• Working with construction partners to measure and reduce carbon footprint
• Collaboration with suppliers to align with ESG strategy
• Ongoing review and development of ESG framework and objectives

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Working with construction partners to measure and reduce carbon footprint
• Collaboration with suppliers to align with ESG strategy

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact, GRESB (Management Component)

Awards & Recognition

• Property Week RESI Awards – Simple Life Homes Winner of the Landlord of the Year Award 2022
• Scottish Home Awards Large Development of the Year 2022 (Bertha Park)
• Homes For Scotland Awards Large Development of the Year 2022 (Bertha Park)
• NW Insider Residential Property Awards Tech of the Year (My Simple Life Mobile App)
• CENE Awards Building Project of the Year 2022 (Kirkleatham Green)
• Property Week RESI Awards Health and Wellbeing Award 2021
• Home Views Top 20 Regional Developments 2021 (Prince’s Gardens)
• NW Insider Residential Property Awards Apartment Scheme of the Year 2022 (Empyrean)
• CENE Awards Residential Project of the Year 2022 (Kirkleatham Green)
• Property Week RESI Awards Residential Company of the Decade 2021 (Sigma Capital)
• Property Week RESI Awards Best Covid Response 2021
• Home Views Top 5 National Management Companies (over 2000 units) 2021 (Simple Life Homes)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• 87% of homes are rated A or B on EPC rating
• 19% of portfolio has PV panels installed, generating an estimated 592,584 kWh/yr and avoiding 148,864 kg/yr of CO2 emissions
• Welcome boxes replaced with sustainable jute bags, reducing packaging and transport impacts
• 57.45t CO2 offset through tree planting and ocean plastic recovery

Social Achievements

• Over £150,000 donated to charities and community groups
• Launched Simple Lifestyle hub on My Simple Life app for resident wellbeing
• Supported over 30 charities and clubs
• Simple Life Schools and Communities Biodiversity Project delivered to 300 children

Governance Achievements

• Board composition: 60% Male, 40% Female; 60% White British, 40% Asian/Asian British
• Appointment of Karima Fahmy as an Independent Non-Executive Director
• No reportable health and safety incidents

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Data collection challenges in construction due to lack of legal obligation on third parties to provide information
• Government's change in policy regarding Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard

Mitigation Strategies

• Working with construction partners to develop a strategy and process for data gathering
• Continuing to focus on energy efficiency and high EPC ratings

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Collaboration with construction partners on sustainability initiatives

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient homes

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact, UN SDG Ambition guides, TCFD, TNFD, CSRD, EPRA

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
• SDG 13 (Climate Action)
• SDG 15 (Life on Land)

Initiatives contribute to these goals through energy efficiency, community engagement, biodiversity projects, and sustainable construction practices.

Awards & Recognition

• LOVE TO RENT AWARDS BTR Social Impact Award 2023 (Winner)
• Insider NW Residential Property Awards Sustainability and Social Impact 2023 (Winner)
• Property Week Resi Awards Social Impact 2023 (Finalist)
• and others