Taylor Wimpey, one of the UK's leading residential developers, is working with the Carbon Trust to help shape its sustainability strategy and reduce its environmental impact. In conjunction with the Carbon Trust, Taylor Wimpey has developed an energy and carbon strategy which has resulted in an energy reduction programme being implemented business-wide.
The project has identified an estimated £9m in cumulative direct potential cost savings against future cost increases by 2020, and suggested measures to mitigate that risk. It has been estimated that by taking action on supply chain energy efficiency within four key areas Taylor Wimpey and its supply chain partners could mitigate against an estimated additional £3m in annual material costs by 2015 and cumulative cost increases of £29m by 2020.
Measures identified included behaviour and process changes, as well as investment in equipment and system optimisation and upgrades. A wide range of business areas were explored during the project, including how to improve the energy efficiency of show homes, the behaviour of sub-contractors on-site and starting the process of engaging suppliers on operational efficiency to cut costs.
Having gone through the process with the Carbon Trust to understand how to reduce our emissions and avoid costs, we would also like to encourage our suppliers to reduce their emissions and benefit from the same operational efficiencies. We want to work with them to save money and help the industry continue to build quality homes that don't cost the earth.
- Ian Heasman, Director of Sustainability, Taylor Wimpey UK
Sustainability is an issue of growing significance for all house builders. Having a positive impact through the protection and enhancement of the communities and environments where they operate is an increasing priority. In our experience Taylor Wimpey had one of the best represented project boards covering multiple business areas. This has enabled them to confidently move towards taking sustainability efficiencies into every element of the business from energy, waste and resources throughout its estate to the homes it builds and its supply chain.
- Dominic Burbridge, Associate Director, Business Services at the Carbon Trust
Taylor Wimpey has not only identified direct energy and cost reduction opportunities across its own operations, but has also evaluated future risks. This has enabled the company to plan appropriate action to reduce exposure to future energy costs across its operations and supply chain including the impact of future energy costs on the building materials it buys.
Notes to Editors
About the Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is an independent company with a mission to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low carbon economy. The Carbon Trust:
- advises businesses, governments and the public sector on opportunities in a sustainable, low carbon world.
- measures and certifies the environmental footprint of organisations, products and services.
- helps develop and deploy low carbon technologies and solutions, from energy efficiency to renewable power.
For further information on the Carbon Trust, please contact the Carbon Trust press office on 020 7170 7050 or press@carbontrust.com. Alternatively visit www.carbontrust.com.
