SDG/ESG
Social & Environmentally ConsciousAs a company we are committed to practicing social & environmental responsibility & stewardship to create a specific & environmental impact or to serving a target beneficiary group in need.
Prioritising ESG & UN Sustainability Targets
Partnered with the United Nations and Prioritising It’s Sustainability Targets.
Irish Homes is an environmentally and socially conscious company underpinned by sustainability-focused policies and procedures. To this end we promote and support recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption both within the company and with our external stakeholders. Our staff are committed to our ESG / SDG targets and our policies are regularly updated to reflect our sustainability commitments and activities. We work with numerous external partners across many sectors, all of whom share our company values and are environmentally and socially conscious and committed to the UN Sustainability Targets.
Irish Homes is currently working towards our Sustainability Mission, and to this end we have partnered with the United Nations. We fully embrace the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDG’s) framework and the company goals reflect the impact areas mapped against the United Nations SDG’s. We offset our holistic Carbon Footprint by working with Tree Nation, planting trees to compensate for materials used, we use electric cars to reduce our CO2 emission and adhere to WEEE Ireland recycling guidelines.
Affordable housing is recognised as a universal social good within the SDGs. “Access to adequate, safe and affordable housing” is a core target for SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities. But housing is not just about “bricks and mortar”. There is mounting evidence that good housing contributes to other positive outcomes, namely but not limited to:
Having a home:
-
- Is an important determinant of the health and wellbeing of individuals and families (SDG 3),
- Has a positive knock-on effect on children’s education (SDG 4),
- Can help people to get and sustain employment (SDG 8) &
- Can provide a route out of poverty (SDG 1).
- Housing’s carbon footprint can also be reduced through the right energy efficiency and construction measures (SDGs 7 and 13).
At Irish Homes we believe that we have a unique opportunity to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues, for both ourselves and our stakeholders. To this end all business decisions take account of ESG and SDG factors where appropriate.
To ensure these values are incorporated into our strategy, we adhere to the Principles for Responsible Investment:
- Incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis & decision-making processes;
- Actively incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices;
- Promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles for Responsible Investment;
- Work to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles for Responsible Investment;
- Report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles for Responsible Investment.
As well as setting measurable targets there are other aspects of ESG which we also see as important in delivering improved performance for our key stakeholders. These include:
-
- Reduce and minimise the usage of paper;
- Encourage employees to use public transport where possible;
- Avoiding disposable or non-biodegradable items as far as possible;
- Work with external partners and assist with energy efficiency projects;
- Address all high-risk health and safety concerns as and when highlighted;
- Use sustainable building materials where appropriate.
Formal Report Systems
As part of their commitment to progressing their commitment to ESG and the UN SDG Targets Irish Homes is also currently liaising with expert groups with a view to developing a formal energy consumption reporting system that will guide the delivery of better, safer, less costly and more sustainable buildings and infrastructure.
Sustainability Officer & Responsibility Committee
Irish Homes has a dedicated Sustainability Officer, who considers the company’s potential social and environmental impact and implements appropriate measures to limit this impact both internally and with external partners. This year we have established a new Responsibility Committee in order to guide, define, lead and focus on sustainability SDG/ESG initiatives and targets.
Waste and Reducing Carbon Footprint
The Irish Home office operates as a paperless system and our waste is recycled using recycle bins as far as possible.
An external company collects and manages our waste and provides recycling reports, detailing our CO2 savings.
We have an Electric Company car used for company-related travel, reducing CO2 emissions.
The use of Indoor plants in our office removes CO2 and improves the quality of the air for our staff.
Matterport
The use of Matterport video technology ensures a reduced carbon footprint. One Matterport video per property can be shared with 5 external partners who otherwise would each have to visit the property on average 2 times.
Energy Efficiency & Water Usage
We use energy-efficient appliances through the office and are committed to ‘powering-down’ all electrical equipment at the end of each day.
We are conscious about our consumption of water and recycle water whenever possible.
Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy use and are major emitters of carbon. Upgrading our buildings ensuring they use less energy is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse-gas emissions.
Through energy-efficient refurbishment processes and the installation of energy-efficient appliances, we ensure the efficient use of sustainable energy and contribute to limiting our carbon footprint.
The long term lease obtained by Irish Homes on each property is linked to Irish local Authority energy targets and thus must meet energy-efficient criteria. Compliance with these criteria is assessed by qualified regulated third parties. There is also a potential financial saving for the occupier on their energy bills and therefore helps to reduce energy poverty.
Recycling & Furniture Donation
Furniture
Older and unusable furniture found in the purchased properties will be donated to charities such as St Vincent De Paul and the Peter McVerry Trust,
Mattresses
Mattresses found the purchased properties will be donated or recycled depending on their presenting condition.
Wooden floors
Wooden flooring needing replacement will be recycled whenever possible
Packaging
Our recycling is guided by a Waste Management Plan which covers all aspects of the company’s internal processes and procedures and those of our external partners.
Our External Stakeholders UN
Our construction partners are socially and environmentally conscious and have sustainability policies in place to guide all aspects of their business.
Protection of the natural environment is a priority during the refurbing process thus we promote reuse & recycle policies to eliminating unnecessary waste.
External Partners & the Refurbishment Process
The paints used throughout all properties are brands with low to no volatile organic compounds.
MATTRESSES
The mattresses found the properties purchased will be donated or recycled depending on their presenting condition.
Lighting
We have reduced the carbon emission of our lights across our company and each property we refurb is fitted with energy efficient fittings and lighting, through the use of LED bulbs, as far as possible.
Appliances
Our external construction partners use and install energy efficient appliances in all properties purchased by Irish Homes.
Transport:
Staff in the Irish Homes office use an electric car for business related travel.
Our construction partners limit unnecessary travel buy car-pooling and stocking lorries the night before with all supplies required to ensure only one distribution road trip is required.
Matterport
The use of Matterport video technology ensures a reduced carbon footprint. One Matterport video per property can be share with 5 external partner who otherwise who each have to visit the property on average 2 times.
Healthy Communities UN
The social housing waiting list in Ireland includes families living in hotel rooms and other unsuitable crowded living environments. Increasing the supply of properties available for long term leasing will help to reduces such overcrowd living – a key goal in the SDGs.
Improved neighbourhood quality evolves from refurbishing and improving local buildings. Thus our refurbishment process on each property is contributing to improved neighbourhoods across the country.
The social diversity and integration created by locating social housing amongst private dwellings, avoids concentrations of challenged and deprived neighbourhoods, thus reducing inequalities and providing safer community environments
Quality Housing & Health Outcomes UN
Improved quality of living encourages a belief in ones self-worth and a hope for the future. Evidence shows housing conditions are directly and indirectly linked to health outcomes.
Quality of housing relates to properties having a suitable layout, good living proportions and a good standard of furnishings. All of which are key to our planning and development, thus helping to reduce inequalities and ensuring the wellbeing of individuals and families.
Each of our properties meet current Fire and Building regulations safety standards and accessibility and regulations for hazards (materials and other environmental hazards). All of which are requirements of the long term lease.
Healthy eating and lifestyle are enhanced by the provision of fully fitted food preparation areas and facilities which encourage healthy eating. Access to safe outdoor space encourages healthy activities.