6 Industry News


Platform launches new Environmental Sustainability Strategy to ‘create lasting positive impact’


P


latform Housing Group has launched its new Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2026- 2028, setting out its roadmap for creating


lasting positive impacts for customers, communities and the environment. T e strategy outlines how the Group will respond


to some of the most signifi cant environmental challenges facing society, including climate change, biodiversity loss and resource effi ciency, while “embedding sustainability into decision making across every part of the organisation,” Platform said. Central to the strategy is Platform’s commitment


to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2050. To support this ambition, the group has set interim emission reduction targets and a commitment to continue externally validating its Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, “ensuring transparent reporting and accountability.” As part of the strategy, Platform will also continue to increase climate awareness across the organisation, “ensuring colleagues have the knowledge and skills needed to support its environmental ambitions.” Creating more sustainable homes is a key


priority for the Group and the strategy sets out its commitment to improving the energy effi ciency of homes by 2030. It also sets out plans to reduce waste and resource consumption, enhance biodiversity


Lianne Taylor, Director of Sustainability at Platform Housing Group, says the new Environmental Sustainability Strategy will “help create greener homes, stronger communities and support the organisation’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2050”


and work closely with suppliers and partners to create positive environmental outcomes. Platform commented: “T e strategy builds


on progress we have already made in improving the sustainability of homes and operations, our


investment in low carbon technologies and the expansion of our electric vehicle fl eet. “Shaped through collaboration with customers,


colleagues and stakeholders, the strategy refl ects the priorities of the communities Platform serves.”


Government highlights pressures on sector in Awaab’s Law Phase 1 report


T e Government’s report on Phase 1 of Awaab’s Law shows a mixed picture across the social housing sector, saying landlords are beginning to embed new ways of working but are facing challenges around capacity, guidance and delivering long-term solutions. T e Phase 1 review, ‘Test and Learn’, conducted


by Verian on behalf of the Ministry of Housing fi nds that the legal regulation of damp and mould is starting to change behaviours, particularly by increasing focus on serious hazards, strengthening oversight and encouraging improvements to landlords’ processes. However, the research also identifi ed variation in implementation, with some organisations struggling to balance statutory deadlines with the need to properly diagnose and resolve underlying problems. T e report draws a key distinction between


progress on responding quickly to hazards, and fi xing problems permanently. It states: “Emergency


hazards such as gas leaks and fl oods were oſt en addressed quickly, but damp and mould cases frequently extended over weeks or several months.” It continues: “While many felt existing emergency arrangements aligned relatively well with the 24- hour requirement, damp and mould cases were seen as more diffi cult to progress from inspection to eff ective remediation, particularly where works were complex, or specialist input was needed.” T e research also highlighted ongoing resource


pressures across the sector. Some landlords reported that responding to Awaab’s Law requirements had aff ected planned maintenance programmes and longer-term investment priorities: “T is transition period was seen as contributing to inconsistency in how quickly and eff ectively cases could be progressed, particularly for damp and mould, as teams balanced new requirements alongside existing capacity and fi nancial pressures.” While the report found good levels of ‘high level’


Housing Management & Maintenance Autumn 2026


understanding of the new requirements among landlords, it also identifi ed a lack of clarity in detailed areas. It states: “High level understanding of Awaab’s Law is strong, but unclear defi nitions and reliance on professional judgement complicate consistent operationalisation.” T e report also raises questions about whether


current approaches can be sustained if capacity pressures continue in the sector. T is will become increasingly important as future phases extend the requirements to a wider range of hazards, including excess heat, excess cold, electrical hazards, fi re risks and structural issues. “Landlords reported that preparation for later phases of Awaab’s Law is constrained by uncertainty around defi nitions, thresholds and delivery expectations.” T e Government said learning from Phase


1 has informed updates to guidance ahead of future phases, with the aim of supporting a more consistent approach across the sector. However, the report concludes that there is a “gap between the intent of Awaab’s Law and the realities of execution.”


To read the full report, visit: www.gov.uk/ government/publications


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