In an effort to drive sustainable futures for communities across North Wales, social landlord Adra has launched its decarbonisation strategy alongside Welsh Housing Minister Julie James.
Launching its decarbonisation stategy last week at the virtual Homes conference, Adra says is taking action on climate change to decarbonise both the organisation and its 6,400 homes and drive sustainable futures for communities across North Wales.
Adra is among the first housing associations in Wales to show its commitment to the Welsh government’s drive to decarbonise homes by 2030.
The housing provider says it is working proactively with the Welsh government and collaboratively with other partners to support the Wales’s green economic recovery plans and deliver a lasting impact on the climate emergency agenda.
The strategy
Adra’s strategy is two-fold: decarbonising its business activities as well as its existing and new-build housing stock, which will be heated and powered by clean energy sources.
The provider says it will install solar energy and air source heat pumps and will ensure homes are built and upgraded to the highest zero-carbon Passivhaus standard in order to minimise heat loss and reduce energy costs.
Adra’s development pipeline of 1,200 affordable new homes over the next five years will utilise the latest Modern Methods of Construction, using local SMEs to reduce its carbon footprint, as well as creating jobs and providing training for colleagues who will develop new skills to deliver zero-carbon homes.
With funding from the Welsh government’s Optimised Retrofit Programme, Adra has started its initial pilot to retrofit 50 homes in order to develop the best approach to retrofitting its stock.
The deep retrofitting of its total stock is a long-term investment estimated at £120m and due to commence over the next three years, with support from the Welsh government’s Innovative Housing Programme.
Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government of Wales, said: “I’m delighted to see Adra’s commitment to addressing our climate emergency and reducing bills for tenants across North Wales.
“This is an exciting time for the housing sector as we work together to deliver more affordable, zero-carbon homes, supporting the Welsh construction industry and creating training opportunities.
“I look forward to seeing the retrofit and new construction in progress.”
Read more on sustainable housing in Wales:
- Welsh government pledges £35m for homes of the future
- Valleys to Coast to lead on future-focused Welsh procurement framework
- Boost for North Wales as Adra plans 1,200 new homes
Ffrancon Williams, CEO of Adra, added: “We are pleased to launch our decarbonisation strategy alongside the Housing Minister at Homes UK – never has a warm, secure, and affordable home been more important.
“We’re taking action on climate change as part of our collective commitment to the Well-Being of Future Generations.
“At Adra, we consider lowering energy consumption as being key to helping reduce running costs for our residents and reducing fuel poverty, which is at its most striking as we enter the winter months and during this pandemic.
“Adra is well placed to collaborate with many stakeholders. In Gwynedd, there is a strong network of community energy social enterprises and charities we have already started to work in partnership with.
“We all need to work together to make a difference.”
Linda Campbell, Decarbonisation Champion for Adra’s board, added: “Our new decarbonisation strategy will bring benefits in terms of new jobs, skills, and economic activity and release growing numbers of residents from the real threat of fuel poverty.”
Image: anweber/Shutterstock
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