We are meeting the global challenge, with meaningful local impact

As COP29 opens this week, it can be daunting to think of the global climate challenge. To meet the stated target – limiting temperature increases to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels – global emissions need to reduce by as much as 43% by 2030.

In the face of such mammoth targets, as individuals or businesses, it is easy to think of our contribution as small and insignificant. It isn’t.

According to the UK Green Building Council, the built environment is the largest source of climate emissions after surface transport. Around 25% of UK emissions are directly attributable to the built environment.

Progress is undoubtedly being made. Between 2018 and 2022, carbon emissions in our sector fell by 13% – although a fall of 19% was required to meet UK emissions targets. We have work to do.

Nevertheless, there is cause for optimism. By making purposeful steps in the right direction, we can have a big impact on emissions.

In the coming months, we will be publishing the latest Our Sustainable Future Report. It will demonstrate and quantify Muse’s progress across our five core sustainability themes: Net Zero Carbon, Health and Wellbeing, Circular Economy, Biodiversity, and Social Value.

Already this year, we have completed the delivery of Greenhaus in Salford. It is the largest collection of Passivhaus-certified homes in the North West. Homes use up to 90% less energy than traditional housing.

Triple-glazed windows, the latest insulation technology, air source heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging all contribute to a super-efficient design, which also means lower bills.

Our partnership with Salix Homes, means each home is affordable so the benefits are targeted at those who need it most, we are continuing our partnership with Salix and are on site with our second Passivhaus development, Willowhaus in Crescent Salford.

Whilst greater delivery to Passivhaus standards is planned, we are going even further. In November, we launched Habiko – a unique partnership between Muse, Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) and Homes England.

Our ambition is to deliver 3,000 highly sustainable, affordable homes across the country. It’s a bold approach, underpinned by the strength of public-private partnership. It demonstrates our commitment not only to deliver sustainably, but to meet the needs of communities with quality affordable housing.

Whilst the focus of COP29 will likely be emissions, it is only part of the picture. True sustainability, and proper placemaking, means much more. It means quality housing, in well-planned places with access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and green public spaces.

Whether at Greenhaus, Willowhaus, through Habiko, or across any of the places Muse is delivering, we are proving we can meet the global challenge and have significant local impact. Everyone wins.

COP 29 is another opportunity for the world’s governments, industry, and the third sector to come together a plan for global change.

Whilst our contribution to that change might be small in comparison, it is meaningful and has a big impact – not just on our journey to Net Zero, but on the people and communities in which we work.