Berkeley aims to be first carbon positive builder

Developer Berkeley has set itself the target of becoming the first major house builder to become carbon positive.

The goal is part of the house builder’s new ‘One Vision’ business strategy to raise its sustainability credentials.

This will include rolling out smart home technology, placing 1,500 people into apprenticeships and a committing to raise biodiversity on sites.

Over the next two years, the luxury house builder aims to deliver a 10% reduction in carbon emissions per person and set an internal carbon price, using the funds generated to offset more than all of  the remaining carbon emissions.

Berkeley’s managing director Rob Perrins said: “There is a strong commercial case for making a business more lean, green and accountable. And in my opinion it’s simply the right thing to do.”

To achieve the goal Perrins said that Berkeley would not only reduce carbon emissions intensity by 10%, but also encourage the use of green energy tariffs, and invest in projects that reduce or eliminate emissions elsewhere.

“This will include investing in renewable energy or the retrofit of existing homes, to go beyond offsetting our remaining emissions,” he said.

The house builder has also committed to taking a lead in community development, implementing plans to improve people’s quality of life in all the places it builds.

Perrins, said: “Berkeley already equips all new homes with fibre optic infrastructure. We now want to be the leaders in providing high-quality, smart-enabled, future-proof homes that make the everyday lives of our customers easier.”

Depending on production levels, up to 15% of Berkeley’s workforce will be in an apprenticeship or completing vocational training by 2018.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/05/11/berkeley-aims-to-be-first-carbon-positive-builder/

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