Raising standards to protect homeowners
CSR in the Environment
As a standard setting organisation, NHBC follows the objectives of its Environmental Policy and is committed to minimising our impact as a business on the environment, while also supporting the continual improvement in environmental performance of the wider-house building industry.
Helping the environment as a business
As a member of the 'Paper Planet' recycling scheme, for every 50 sacks of paper and cardboard NHBC recycles, the Woodland Trust plant one tree.
In the past year, NHBC has taken steps to improve our environmental performance, modifying our systems, processes and behaviour to benefit the environment.
As well as operating a low-emission car fleet (we continue to reduce the average CO2 emissions of our fleet, month on month, for 18 months to Jan 2011), a network of CR Champions is in place to help implement and promote social responsibility initiatives across the business.
In addition, more recycling facilities and energy saving measures have been introduced throughout all NHBC offices.
To reduce reliance on car travel, NHBC has introduced a 'Ride to Work' scheme for staff, which offers employees up to 50% off the purchase price of new bicycles, and we have recently established a business wide car share scheme.
Our most recent independent assessment of our performance showed we scored 71% in the BITC CR index and we aim to increase this score
through a range of targeted activities across the business.
Helping the environment by informing the industry
NHBC has been at the heart of industry engagement on sustainability for a number of years, in particular supporting the drive towards achieving the Government's zero carbon homes target by 2016.
As well as providing comprehensive training for house builders following the introduction of the Code for Sustainable Homes, we provide guidance and research to help the industry progress the zero carbon homes agenda.
The NHBC Foundation (established by NHBC in partnership with the BRE Trust) continues to deliver a programme of practical research and guidance to Government and industry on issues relating primarily to sustainability and the zero carbon agenda.
NHBC is also a key player in the formation and funding of the 'Zero Carbon Hub,' a public and private partnership which will lead on many aspects of the drive towards delivering more sustainable homes, including developing the Government's policy for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016.