SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT
SETTING SUSTAINABLE GOALS O
Anjali Sooknanan looks at what the industry is doing to help protect the planet.
ur sustainability goals for 2023 are based around a few key pillars: data and communications, education and skills, and retrofit,” says Giles Bradford, head of sustainability at Bradfords Building Supplies.
“We need to get the data right to help us check against progress, but also to increase the detail to help identify with even greater clarity where we should focus. As well as continuing to decarbonise our Scope 1 and 2 emissions in line with our 2040 net zero goal for these scopes, we are starting to look more closely at our Scope 3 emissions this year, making sure that we set strict boundaries in this project ensure that we have credibility and accuracy. We will also be producing our first ESG report covering our social and governance commitments and structures too. As we work through this journey, we see the potential in further integrating communications to support the wider business whilst amplifying the value to all stakeholders (employees, shareholders, customers, communities, and suppliers) of sustainable activities.”
“We are continuing our education programme to ensure that employees, customers, communities are given appropriate information and training around sustainability, whilst also ensuring that we meet our business goals. Continuation and updating of our ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ event series, but also working even closer with suppliers. In terms of sustainable building, we are chairing the BMF project to understand how the BMF members can accelerate the
transition to more sustainable building products. Over 2023 we will be forging stronger relationships with local colleges to support the development of the skills needed for more sustainable construction, whilst hosting training in our branches to supplement this,” he adds.
Retrofit
Bradford concludes: “We estimate that with 2.7 million homes in the South West, 1.3 houses per Bradfords branch will need retrofitting every day from now until 2050. We will be working on understanding the products we need to supply meet this challenge and the information we need to have to hand, whilst developing partnerships around upstream retrofit activities such as assessment, and downstream such as certification. Implementation in homes is the final crucial stage, and we will be working with our local trade customers to help them tap into this growing market.”
Bradfords has now run three Building Sustainable Communities events. The latest,
held at Somerset Cricket Club at the end of last year, included an exhibition for members of the public to meet suppliers and industry leaders and seek advice on making their homes more energy efficient. As well as tips on insulation techniques and measures to improve airtightness and ventilation, there were details on where to seek funding for retrofit projects, including grants and support specifically available for those in Somerset and the surrounding region.
“We know the communities we serve are experiencing the impact of high energy bills and the need for efficiently warm homes is greater than ever. And not only are warm homes healthier places to live, there’s also a pressing need to create more environmentally sustainable housing if we’re going to stand a chance of meeting our net zero targets and address climate change in a meaningful way,” Bradford told the audience.
“As a builders’ merchant, we also know that our suppliers are making great progress, adapting their products and innovating to meet the retrofit challenge. We want to use
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www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net March 2023
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