Reinforcing our long-standing commitment to sustainability, the strategy will provide a new focus to help us achieve our targets of building homes that are operationally net zero carbon from 2030, and reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Scottish Government’s 2045 target and ahead of UK Government’s 2050 target.
Our team in Aberdeen – who have seven live developments across the city and shire – have been empowered to be at the heart of the strategy alongside colleagues from across the UK, driving forward a number of innovations, trials and ideas to reduce our environmental impact now and in the future.
A North ‘Green Team’ has been established along with nine others from each of our offices, to brainstorm, research and implement initiatives which will help bring about positive change in the region, from energy saving and recycling measures within offices, to employee wellbeing and meaningful community support initiatives. In total, more than 90 employees across our businesses are actively involved in helping to achieve our sustainability objectives.
Our North of Scotland team has introduced the first electric vehicle to our fleet, in partnership with Inverurie-based Jim Reid Vehicle Sales and Service. The fully liveried van is the first in a move that will see greener transport rolled out across the entire business in the coming months and years.
The team is also already carrying out vital waste benchmarking work at the Mains of Grandhome development in Bridge of Don which will inform design and procurement processes to ensure less waste on sites.
Mike Naysmith, Managing Director of Cala Homes North, said: “Sustainability has been high on the agenda here at Cala for some time, however with the launch of our new strategy, everyone across the business can now play their part in driving forward the changes needed to create a more environmentally responsible future.
“We’re very proud to play our part here in the North division, whether it’s coming up with new ways of saving energy in our offices, taking part in technology trials on our developments, or feeding into working groups with other Cala regions.
“Collectively we’ll be looking at tangible ways we can decarbonise our operations, in specific areas such as zero carbon homes, office environment, site environments, procurement and transportation - producing a roadmap of targets, measures and areas of interest to pursue as priorities.”
The roadmap includes research on and testing of various technological innovations, including the investigation of measures such as infrared heat mats and panels, battery and thermal storage technology, hydrogen and electric boilers, mechanical ventilation systems and new concepts around biodiversity.
We will also look at the basics of how we operate – from how we engage with suppliers and subcontractors, to how colleagues travel and offices are run, and the ways in which we interact with communities and wider infrastructure.
Mike Naysmith continues: “A key part of the Sustainability Strategy is to embed sustainability into the Cala culture, so it’s really important that the team across the business helps drive it. We want Cala to be a place to be proud of, for our customers, our contractors and our colleagues.”
Visit our Sustainability Strategy page for more information.
