Response to National Planning Policy Framework proposals New government proposals for the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have been released and our governing institute (IEMA) asked us for a response. The NPPF provides a framework for how planning...
Blog
How to gain sustainability reporting data from colleagues
We work with a wide variety of organisations to produce excellent environmental reports. To do this we need some key business data, which, when working with us, is normally very easy for clients to collect. We normally work with one key point of contact in the...
Install energy efficiency measures with SHIFT Environment
We do loads of environmental reporting for clients which highlight key interventions that reduce energy use in non-domestic buildings, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to energy security. The next step is to actually install those interventions. To make this...
Task Force on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures
The Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD) is a global initiative to develop recommendations that enable businesses and investors to effectively identify, assess, and report on their inequality and social-related risks, opportunities,...
Latest carbon emission figures for the UK
The latest data on local authority territorial greenhouse gas emissions is out [1]. Readers mustn’t get excited about the word “latest” because the data actually relates to 2022. The delay is due to the time required to collect and quality assure the data. The...
Sustainability for building portfolios databases
A sustainability module for asset management databases for owners of building portfolios – a suggested specification Despite the un-snappy blog title, we think this is a necessary topic. Many building portfolio owners have asset management systems of one sort or...
Domestic Energy Assessor / EPC / rdSAP
We are pleased to have our very own Domestic Energy Assessors on our team. This means we can now do: Local (Stroud) Domestic Energy Assessments – for Stroud home owners who have a legal requirement to have a valid EPC when selling or renting a home. Consulting service...
Solar Carports and Street Lighting
We recently hosted a sixth form student for his work experience week at SHIFT and his work here included a research project into the costs and benefits of solar carports and street lighting. Here's what he found (thanks Albert!): Solar street lighting Solar street...
The UK CBAM and its role in reducing embodied carbon emissions
Image by Morteza Mohammadi on Unsplash Understanding the UK CBAM and its role in reducing embodied carbon emissions Supply chain emissions are creeping up sustainability agendas and there is new legislation that promises to help. The UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment...
Navigating the hazy future of beer
Image by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash How climate change threatens the global hop supply The world of beer is facing an unprecedented challenge as climate change threatens the very ingredient that gives it its distinct character — hops. With rising...
Ambient temperature heat pump – a landlord’s experience
Many people will be familiar with air source or ground source heat pumps, but a relatively new technology has emerged called “ambient temperature heat pumps”. These are mainly for groups of homes where circumstances prevent individual heat pumps being installed in...
Carbon credits 2024
We have a had a few queries recently about carbon credit schemes that pay landlords for making carbon saving improvements to stock. Whilst we haven’t looked at any schemes in detail, we do have some thoughts. Here is one of our answers. Thanks for your time...
A new user guide for TCFD reporting
IEMA, our governing institute, has issued new guidance to help with climate related financial disclosures [1]. The Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations and resulting disclosures are proving to be hugely influential and take-up in...
Modern slavery and responsibly sourced materials
A new Global Commission on Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking has been set up [1] with the aim of driving international momentum towards eradicating forced labour, ending modern slavery and human trafficking – in line with UN goals. It is part funded by the UK...
New environmental consultations in Scotland
A couple of new consultations are out which will have implications for managing environmental issues in Scotland. The first is about biodiversity. The second is, perhaps surprisingly to some, about water efficiency ‘Tackling the nature emergency’ [1] is based around...
Funding net zero – a “roundtable of the willing”
There is currently no sensible financial arrangement for funding the transformation of social homes to net zero. And no-one seems to be talking about long-term plans either. After chats with a few FD’s, investors, and the Green Finance Institute, we thought it might...
Future Homes Standard – SHIFT Environment and others’ view
In readiness for 2025, the Government has issued its response to a consultation on the detail of the Future Homes Standard (FHS). Others [1] [2] , who have been closer to the consultation process, have noted that the proposed standards are far weaker than initial...
Combining satellite imagery with biodiversity – pilot study
Amidst a growing importance in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for new developments, the lack of practical metrics for UK social landlords to manage biodiversity and green spaces for existing land portfolios has become apparent. This gap presents an opportunity to explore...
SHIFT Q&A
Each year we upgrade our methodologies for environmental reporting. The main reason we do this is to ensure that our methodologies align with new national methodologies or UK environmental strategies. For example, last year new water efficiency targets were...
A Micro-Study on the Best Region to Call Home
Introduction There are emerging global and national agendas on placemaking, levelling up and wellbeing. Investors are looking at environmental and social factors of the organisations they lend to for their ESG investments. This trend aims to improve the places where...