Approaches to sustainability being adopted by UK housing associations show that the eco housing agenda is rapidly moving up their list of priorities to help meet the UK’s carbon emissions targets for 2020 and then 2050.
Housing associations are regarded as potential ‘trail blazers’ in both new housing and refurbishment. The pioneers in the sector have a strategic concern to address climate change, reduce fuel poverty to households and provide a legacy of high quality homes for future generations.
In recent years UK government policy has started to give traction to this agenda. Clear carbon emission targets have been set and given a statutory framing. The UK has signed up to European Union targets. Pressure on the future of fossil fuels in the long term has created a cross-party consensus that action needs to be taken across housing, industry and transport.