Environment
Reducing our environmental impact
Our Pathway to Net Zero
Persimmon has set ambitious targets to be net zero in our homes in use by 2030 and net zero carbon in our operations by 2040.
This commitment is supported by interim science based carbon reduction targets, aligned to the Paris Agreement, to reduce carbon emissions from our own operations by 46.2% (2019 baseline) and our indirect operations (i.e. those from our homes in use and our supply chain) by at least 22% per m2 completed floor area by 2030 (2019 baseline). These are very challenging targets requiring product innovation, supply chain engagement and changes to current operational processes.
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Emissions Reporting
2021 saw a reduction in our operational emissions while also making improvements to our data capture and reporting methodologies. This year diesel fuel use on sites has been recorded directly in litres making data capture more accurate for a source that makes up 62% of our operational greenhouse gas emissions. This process will be extended to all fuel types used on our construction sites further improving the accuracy of Scope 1 and 2 emissions reporting. In 2022 we will be trialling alternative low carbon fuels in our forklift/telehandler fleet. Our Scope 1 emissions arise from our own site operations including the use of diesel, kerosene on our construction sites and manufacturing sites, gas in our offices, showhomes, home plots and manufacturing facilities, and the use of company owned or leased vehicles. Our Scope 2 emissions come from the use of electricity in all of our operations.
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Renewable Energy
From August 2021, we purchased 100% renewable electricity for all Persimmon offices and manufacturing facilities, and gas supplied to offices is backed by Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGOs) or Biomethane Certificates (BMCs). In addition, all purchased electricity for our newly built homes, while under our ownership, is now backed by Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates. Purchasing renewable backed energy has saved over 1,200 tonnes of emissions.
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JCB Livelink
Carbon emissions from our use of diesel fuel during construction is our biggest contributor to our operational footprint. JCB’s LiveLink has been developed to provide real time data from diagnostic reporting tools installed in Persimmon site machinery. The LiveLink portal will be used to provide accurate monitoring of fuel use and emissions, further improve reporting and identify areas for improvement such as idling vehicles.
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Changing our Fleet and Alternative Fuel Use
We have also introduced electric vehicle options into our car fleet across all band levels, to provide more choice for colleagues, and are trialling the use of alternative low carbon fuels to replace diesel for our construction plant and equipment.
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Scope 3 Emissions
For the first time in 2021, we have reported on our Scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 emissions are indirect sources of emissions from our supply chain, homes in use (energy used in the home) and employee commuting. Reducing our Scope 3 emissions is a key component of our net zero carbon strategy.
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Net Zero Homes in use by 2030
Our future homes will combine improved building fabrication and quality alongside renewable technologies to ensure our customers get sustainable homes that are economic to run. The Group has a number of projects underway to assist in the transition to Future Homes Standard and to deliver net zero homes in use by 2030. Our Low Carbon Homes Steering Group established in 2020 chaired by the Group Technical Director and comprising members of the Persimmon senior management team, has monitored, reviewed and assessed a number of pilot and research projects aimed at identifying the most effective method of designing and building a net zero home, which is scalable. The Group is also investigating the most effective low carbon solution to provide heating across larger community developments.
We are progressing a range of low carbon network technologies to ensure we continue to support our customers with safe, effective and sustainable solutions to fully support the aims of the UK’s Climate Emergency agenda. We are also engaging with our industry and our supply chain, for example we actively participate in the Future Homes Hub.
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Germany Beck
Our Germany Beck site in York will shortly be welcoming its tenants who will live in a zero carbon demonstrator house as part of a joint project with the University of Salford to assess the effectiveness of zero carbon technologies and discover what it is like to live in a zero carbon home. The zero carbon technologies at Germany Beck include Solar PV panels, battery storage, MVHR (Mechanical, Ventilation, Heat Recovery), ASHP (Air Source Heat Pump) with a hot water cylinder and two waste water heat recovery systems. Alongside these technologies the house has been built with thermally efficient walls and floors and additional loft insulation to achieve an EPC rating of A.
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Curv Infra-Red Heating Trial
As part of our aim to trial new technologies and assess options for innovation, a home at our Showfields development in Whittlesey has been developed with infra-red heating. This method of heating is exceptionally efficient and works by heating objects and surfaces much like the sun. The infra-red heating is complemented with zero carbon technologies comprising an air source cylinder to heat hot water, solar PV panels and battery storage. Its green credentials are boosted by an EPC rating of A and an electric vehicle (EV) charging system.
EV Charging Developments
Persimmon has worked alongside local councils to deliver EV charging infrastructure at two sites in the West Midlands. The sites, Bannerbrook Park and Phoenix Street will have EV charging points in all their properties, 90 and 128 respectively, upon completion.
Our Energy Efficient Homes
The average Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of our new homes is 87, which equates to an average ‘B’ rating. Our homes are, on average, approximately 30% more energy efficient than the existing national housing stock, which has an average SAP rating of c.66, or an EPC rating of C. Our homes contain a range of energy efficient features and renewable technology to promote sustainable living for our customers. During 2021, 1,796 of our homes were installed with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Other renewable technologies installed in our homes include air source heat pumps (ASHP), gas savers, mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR), and district heating.
Supply Chain Engagement
As part of our commitment to reduce our Scope 3 indirect emissions, we have recently engaged an external consultant to calculate the embodied carbon of our homes. This will enable us to understand the carbon impacts of different house types, and prioritise those materials which have the greatest carbon impact. We are engaging with our major suppliers to support the study and provide carbon footprint data and information. We are partners to the Supply Chain Sustainability School to assist in the delivery of a consistent approach to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
Modern Methods of Construction
Our timber frame manufacturing facility, Space4, is one of the UK’s leading producers of precision-engineered construction systems producing timber frames, highly insulated wall panels and roof cassettes as a ‘fabric first’ solution to the construction of new homes delivering up to 50% lower energy bills*.
timber frame kits and roof systems supplied by Space4 in 2021
concrete bricks supplied by Brickworks in 2021
Space4 supports all our brands and during 2021 supplied 4,315 timber frame kits and roof systems. In 2021, 33% of the homes we built used timber frames. Space4 is set to expand with plans to build a new state of the art facility. This new site is designed to improve efficiency both of the home and the manufacturing process. Expanding the use of Space4 technology will create better homes to live in, reduce heating related emissions from high performance insulation, reduce the build programme and reduce material waste. The overall carbon dioxide emissions for timber construction (the embodied carbon dioxide) are up to six times lower than for masonry**. We also have the benefit of vertical integration from our manufacturing facilities Brickworks and Tileworks, and typically, 28% less carbon is produced in the manufacture of concrete bricks in comparison to clay, with a total lifetime carbon savings of 2.4 tonnes of CO2 per house built***. Brickworks and Tileworks supplied 45m bricks and 9m tiles respectively to Group developments in 2021.
*Source: UK Timber Frame Association Comfort and Cost. Details correct at time of publication.
**Source: Department of Energy and Climate Change Regional and local authority energy consumption statistics.
***Provided by Edenhall and Marshalls – based on calculations made from publicly available EPD and housebuilding data.
Targets
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We will achieve net zero carbon homes in use and in our operations, aligned to climate science. We have a key role to play in minimising our environmental impact through our operations, our supply chain and the homes and communities we build, ultimately helping our customers to live more sustainably. Reducing our impact makes sense not only from an environmental perspective, but it also ensures greater efficiencies throughout our supply chain and operations.
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SDG alignment
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| Material issue | Target | How we will achieve it | Progress | Update and next steps |
| Climate change action and resilience | Homes to be net zero carbon in use by 2030 (2019 baseline) |
Through a combination of fabric energy efficiency, electrification and sourcing of renewable energy |  |
• Plan in place to meet Part L regulations & Future Homes Standard. • Trials of alternative low carbon heating technologies underway. |
| Net zero carbon in our operations by 2040 (2019 baseline). |
Investment in low carbon solutions and technology, energy efficiency measures and initiatives and sourcing of renewable energy. | |
• Achieved reduction in energy use this year. • 2022 focus on improving efficiency in site operations, and extending JCB fleet telematics system to reduce diesel fuel use. |
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| Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46.2% by 2030 (2019 baseline). |
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| Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 22% per m² completed floor area by 2030 (2019 baseline). |
Continued efficiency of Persimmon homes and supply chain engagement to reduce embodied carbon within products and services. | |
Embodied carbon study of house type is underway. | |
| In 2021, aim to purchase 100% renewable electricity for Persimmon’s offices and manufacturing facilities. In 2021, aim to purchase REGO certificates for plots, show homes and temporary building supplies’ electricity consumption |
• Purchase energy from providers sourcing 100% renewable energy as part of tender process. • Work with energy providers to purchase REGO certificates for consumption |
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All energy contracts are renewable energy – REGO/RGGO backed. | |
| Top suppliers by emissions to be encouraged to utilise the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s carbon reporting tools and training. |
• Engagement with suppliers and the Supply Chain Sustainability School to monitor success. |  |
• Limited progress to date. • Enhanced focus in 2022, aiming for 20 top suppliers to be actively engaging with the SCSS. |
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| Maintain timber and timber derived products from responsible and sustainable sources via Group deals. | Ensure adherence to timber sourcing policy through engagement with supply chain. | |
Audits to be undertaken in 2022. | |
| In 2021, undertake a detailed waste review across operations and implement a waste reduction strategy. | • Implement recommendations from internal waste review. • Work with suppliers and waste contractors to identify opportunities and solutions for waste reduction on our sites. |
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• Improving data quality, and stable rate of recycling achieved this year. • Projects to reduce generation of waste to be undertaken in 2022. Waste targets to be developed. |
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| Build climate resilience into business operations. | Follow the recommendations of the TFCD. | |
• Detailed climate scenario analysis undertaken this year. Implementation of the recommendations in 2022. | |
| Helping customers to live sustainability | From 2021, increase sustainability messaging within Persimmon’s customer marketing materials and website. | Marketing teams to ensure sustainability messaging is incorporated into materials, with a focus on practical tips and information on carbon reduction. | |
• Increased sustainability information on the website. • The ‘Welcome Homemove box’ for new customers has been redesigned with sustainable products. • Customer sustainability brochure to be released in 2022. • Undertake customer insights on sustainability in 2022 |
| Homes to be net zero carbon in use by 2030 (2019 baseline). |
Installing low carbon heating systems and improved insulation in homes, and understanding customer needs for new technologies | |
Real world trial underway with tenants moving into our zero carbon home at Germany Beck for 12 months, with comprehensive monitoring by the University of Salford. |
Latest Reports
