Annual Report 2021-22
Sustainability
We are in the early stages of our sustainability journey, but we know that finding ways to reduce our environmental impact is crucial for tackling climate change and delivering lots of other important benefits – from helping customers to reduce bills and save money, reducing fuel poverty and providing quality homes that are fit for the future; to boosting the economy and creating green jobs. We are committed to positively contributing to the zero carbon targets set by Government.
This year we delivered…
Sustainability Strategy 2021-26 launched
Silver status achieved Sustainability Homes Index for Tomorrow (SHIFT)
customers participated in the Northern Housing Consortium’s Social Housing Tenants’ Climate Jury
electric pool car added to our fleet
electric vehicle charging points installed at First Place and Primrose Place
energy guides produced to help customers save energy, reduce bills and cut their carbon footprint
invested in LED lighting at First Place saving c.8 tonnes CO2 per year
customers who have been actively engaged to help them reduce energy use in the home
colleagues participated in carbon literacy training training, along with our Board members
colleagues participated in Energy Saving Trust training so we can share energy advice with customers
secured from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
spent on wildflower seeds planted across six neighbourhoods
Our carbon footprint
Since 2019/20…
Carbon footprint has reduced by 7,465 tonnes of CO2
Electricity use in our offices has reduced by 40 tonnes of CO2
Colleague travel emissions have fallen by 8.8 tonnes of CO2
Case study
Customers take part in Social Housing Tenants’ Climate Jury
In July 2021 four of our customers made history by joining the Social Housing Tenants’ Climate Jury – the first of its kind - to help tackle climate change in their homes and neighbourhoods.
They were among 30 tenants from FCHO and four other northern housing associations: Karbon Homes, Salix Homes, Thirteen Group and Yorkshire Housing who took part in the project led by the Northern Housing Consortium.
Together, jury members considered how tenants, social landlords and others can collaboratively to tackle climate change and in November they published a set of recommendations to the social housing sector on how tenants would like to see landlords approach the net zero challenge.
The jurors’ views are not only shaping our work at FCHO and here in Oldham, but they are influencing policy in the wider housing sector. We’re delighted that our customers took part in this pioneering project, which also won the award for 'Best Resident Involvement Initiative' at the Northern Housing Awards 2022.
Our customer, Rob Curtis said: “In the last 30 years, I’ve seen so much change and damage to our planet, we must find new ways of doing things if we want to tackle these issues for current and future generations.
“There are lots of solutions out there that can help make a difference to us and how we live in our homes, and it’s great that the jury is getting involved and sharing their views.”
Get involved in our sustainability plans
We are setting up a Customer Sustainability Champion group to help make FCHO homes and neighbourhoods greener places to live.
To get involved, please contact our Stronger Communities team.
Telephone: 0161 393 7117
Email: ci@fcho.co.uk