As a part of The Swan Housing Group and a provider of new build housing, Swan New Homes is committed to using our corporate strength to ensure that our activities help to improve quality of life for people today, whilst considering the needs of future generations.
We are developing an ethos of environmental, social and economic sustainability throughout our organisation and encouraging sustainable actions from our clients, supply chain members and community partners.
To support our approach to sustainable development we implement the following objectives:
Sustainable Communities
- We develop the skills and experience of our employees and the communities in which we operate by offering opportunities for training, learning and development.
- We contribute to economic well-being and social development and diversity via community projects and local employment.
- We conduct activities in line with our clients’ needs and with legal compliance as a minimum requirement.
Sustainable Construction
- Safety is our number 1 priority and is an integral part of both management and employee responsibilities.
- We manage our activities in order to minimise the risk of pollution, reduce waste disposal to landfill, and avoid nuisance to neighbours.
- We treat our suppliers fairly and promote overall continuous improvement and innovation along with environmental, economic and social standards.
- We promote best practice in design, construction, and the subsequent use and maintenance of our products.
- We seek to continually develop our knowledge in BREEAM, Code for Sustainable Homes, and similar recognised standards.
Sustainable Stewardship
- We are committed to delivering ethical and sustainable growth and profitability.
- We balance our stakeholder expectations through our management systems and processes.
- We have a deliberate approach to ethical and sustainable supply chain management.
- We embed sustainability in our business practices through the use of guidance documents, training courses, and internal communities.
- We promote the procurement and use of sustainable and recyclable materials.
Climate Change and Resource Efficiency
- We conduct regular carbon footprint assessments for our business and continue to develop solutions to manage and reduce our carbon output.
- We encourage activities and decisions which seek to minimise embodied carbon within our products.
- We promote the use of a fabric first approach when considering the renewable energy solutions.
- We develop our approach to offer best whole life cost options for our customers.
Reporting and Review
- We set annual performance targets and seek to continuously enhance our performance.
- We review this policy on an annual basis to ensure that it remains appropriate to the needs of stakeholders.
Targets
- To maintain our Environment Management system (EMS) that meets the ISO 14001 international standard.
- To report publicly on green issues and to have recognised green credentials.
- To monitor our carbon footprint and act on the information recorded.
- To procure green suppliers and report on our performance.
- To train our staff in environmental best practice.
- To reduce our electricity consumption by at least 3% year on year and report on our performance.
- To reduce our gas consumption by at least 3% year on year and report on our performance.
- To reduce our water consumption by at least 3% year on year and report on our performance.
- To source energy from green tariffs.
- To decrease waste production and increase recycling by 5 % year on year.
