MJ Gleeson plc, the low-cost housebuilder and land promoter, is pleased to announce two further significant developments in its sustainability journey: its commitment to setting science based carbon emission reduction targets, as well as the launch of its Biodiversity Strategy.
Setting Science Based Carbon Reduction Targets
The Company has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), meaning it will set targets for validation by the SBTi within two years. The SBTi is a partnership between the Carbon Disclosure Project, United Nations Global Compact, World Wildlife Fund and World Resources Initiative and is currently the most widely recognised pathway to decarbonisation. It is aligned to the Paris Agreement’s objective to work together worldwide to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels.
Following an extensive internal review of its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, Gleeson has identified, and is in the process of finalising, a number of core workstreams to reduce its carbon emissions under the SBTi, as well as agreeing the key reporting milestones within this process. This demonstrates the Group’s ongoing commitment to direct climate action, through decarbonisation across its operations, supply chain and in-use emissions alike.
New Biodiversity Strategy
In addition to this, Gleeson has launched its biodiversity strategy, with the help of the employment of a Senior Ecologist. Through this, the Company is committing to going beyond its regulatory obligations, such as biodiversity net gain requirements, not only to preserve the ecology where it operates but also to help it thrive.
Initiatives include planting beneficial wildlife, with a focus on invertebrates and pollinators, and providing food and protection for local animals, as well as the inclusion of bird and bat boxes and hedgehog highways on developments across the UK. All welcome packs for new homeowners also include a bug hotel, wildflower seeds and an electronic guide to attracting wildlife into their new garden.
Matt Gibb, Group Sustainability Manager at MJ Gleeson, commented:
“We are very excited about today’s announcement. Gleeson has been working hard on understanding and eliminating both emitted and embedded greenhouse gases in its construction activities for a number of years, and expects to confirm the targets agreed with the SBTi well within the two year timetable. Meanwhile, the benefits of our Biodiversity Strategy will be felt across all of our developments moving forward, as we continue to create high-quality, affordable homes and communities where our customers love to live.”
Stefan Allanson, Chief Financial Officer at MJ Gleeson, commented:
“We are delighted to be making significant progress in our sustainability journey, led by our Group Sustainability Manager, Matt Gibb, who we welcomed into the business last year, and supported fully by our leadership team and Board. Committing to the SBTi represents a significant milestone, and we look forward to sharing more on this over coming months. Our new Biodiversity Strategy is industry leading, and will help us to provide greater protection and support for local wildlife on and around our developments.
We have a strong understanding of where we are as a business in terms of our ESG credentials, with our core mission remaining fully aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11. We are proud that a couple on the UK National Living Wage can still afford to buy a home on any Gleeson Homes site, and we look forward to providing more detail on our progress in the months and years ahead.”
14 September 2023
05 May 2023
With the consultation on Future Homes Standard due to conclude in June, Mark Knight, CEO of Gleeson Homes, tells Housebuilder about the importance of getting ahead of regulatory changes, with Mark believing that Gleeson’s specification is futureproofed until at least 2025.
Gleeson Homes has commenced a trial and testing programme on air source heat pumps and other more innovation insulation solutions, both of which are already yielding positive results.
Read the full article here.
20 February 2023
The HBF (House Builders Federation), has today published research that confirms the benefits of buying a new home compared to a similar older property. It finds that the average savings on energy bills are going to be over £3100 when the Government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) cap increases on 1 April 2023.
Just one of many reasons, why buying new is a sensible decision.
For the full article, follow this link.
02 February 2023
MJ Gleeson is delighted to become the UK’s second housebuilder to participate in the UN Global Compact and become a member of the UN Global Compact Network UK, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiatives focused on the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices.
Gleeson will now formally integrate the ten principles of UN Global Compact across its business operations, in areas including human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
Matt Gibb, Group Sustainability Manager, commented:
“As a provider of high-quality affordable homes in areas where they are most needed, MJ Gleeson’s ethos is built on the foundations of its values of sustainability and responsibility. We are excited to join this group of leading organisations in its aim of delivering a healthier and more prosperous planet for future generations.”
26 January 2023
Gleeson was proud to be the first housebuilder to be accredited by the Fair Tax Foundation for our commitment to responsible tax conduct and transparency and can once again proudly announce that we have been awarded the Fair Tax Mark for a third consecutive year.
Stefan Allanson, MJ Gleeson plc Chief Financial Officer said:
"I’m both proud and delighted that Gleeson has been recognised by the Fair Tax Foundation for the third year running. We pay our fair share of taxes and are committed to fairness and transparency – helping us to be one of the most sustainable housebuilders in the country."
To view the certificate, click here.
12 October 2022
Please click here to view statement.
21 July 2022
Gleeson Homes is pleased to become a Registered Signatory of the Building a Safer Future Charter.
Today, Gleeson Homes signed to become a Registered Signatory of the Building a Safer Future (BSF) Charter, which was established to create a positive culture and behaviour change in the safety of the built environment.
We recognise that becoming a Registered Signatory is an important first step towards achieving the culture and behavioural change required in relation to the Charter's objectives around building safety. In confirming our support as a Registered Signatory, we will now be working to ensure that we embed the principles of the Charter into our organisation’s activities
9 May 2022
Please click here to view statement.
27 April 2022
Please click here to view statement.
13 April 2022
Please click here to read our pledge regarding the government's approach to building safety.
18 January 2022
We are delighted to have for a second year been recognised by the Fair Tax Foundation.
Gleeson is the first and only housebuilder to be accredited with the Fair Tax Mark which certifies that a business as paying its fair share of tax in the right place at the right time and is the gold standard of responsible tax conduct.
Stefan Allanson, MJ Gleeson plc Chief Financial Officer said:
“Profitable companies should pay their fair share of tax and be honest in their disclosure; it says a lot about their values, integrity and ability to trade in a sustainable way. Gleeson does, and we’re proud to have been audited for a second time, retaining our Fair Tax Mark certification for 2022.
We build quality, affordable homes, making homeownership accessible for those on low to mid incomes, and meeting the Fair Tax Foundation’s tough criteria demonstrates our commitment to responsible tax conduct and transparency for our customers.”
To view the certificate, click here.