Energy management across our network of homes and head offices is overseen by our group purchasing team. Historically, our focus has been on maximising the energy efficiency of our assets through retrofitting programmes, Building Management Systems (BMS) and behaviour change initiatives across homes.
Since 2015, 100% of the energy we have purchased in the United Kingdom has come from renewable sources.
Our head office account for over 80% of the total energy we consume. Because we sell all of our homes outright, the influence we have over the management of the building - and our ability to collect comprehensive energy consumption data - varies from site to site. Currently, we collect and report data for 90% of our UK & Europe portfolio.
Energy Reduction Programmes
Total like-for-like energy consumption across our assets fell by 5% between 2016/17 and 2017/18 due to a number of successful energy reduction programmes.
We are continuing to roll out LED's across all of our homes. All new developments are now fitted with LED lighting as standard.
We have also been rolling out a three-phased programme to implement wireless Building Management Systems (BMS) within selected homes. These optimise energy usage to match the operational needs of our homes. Phases one and two have delivered energy savings equivalent to £195,000 per year. BMS software will be installed in a further 20 homes during phase three of the programme.
Our ‘Cut the Watt’ campaign is designed to reduce energy consumption within our homes. As part of this programme, homes receive a checklist of back-of-house equipment that can be switched off when not in use. In addition, homes receive monthly energy reports delivered by our Energy Management Database to help them identify opportunities to increase efficiency. ‘Cut the Watts’ has now been rolled out to all of our homes and across all brands. To date, the programme has provided 1,186,731 kWh of energy savings.
Carbon Emissions
Our gross carbon emissions reduced by 19% from the 2016/17 to the 2017/18 trading year. We saw a 23% reduction in emissions associated with our scope two bracket (which includes purchased electricity), due to the closure of some offices and working from home scheme as well as our ongoing energy efficiency projects. Scope two data encompasses energy purchased for consumption within our offices, DCs and those homes where data is available.
Besides rolling out efficiency projects, we are focusing on collecting more comprehensive scope three emissions data. This includes carbon emissions from business operations that we do not control directly, such as downstream logistics.