Stonewater has once again achieved the prestigious SHIFT Gold accreditation in its latest annual environmental assessment — securing 71.34%, its highest score yet.
The SHIFT rating is the housing sector’s leading environmental sustainability accreditation, providing independent assessments of an organisation’s performance. Recognised by the Government, it measures housing providers’ performance across more than 20 criteria, including carbon emissions, energy efficiency, water management, waste reduction and climate change resilience.
This year’s results, showing a 28% increase since the organisation’s first SHIFT assessment score of 43% in 2019, reflect the significant progress Stonewater has made in reducing its environmental impact and improving the sustainability of its homes.
Adam Masters, Assistant Director of Environment & Sustainability at Stonewater, said: “Securing SHIFT Gold once again, and with our best score yet, is a fantastic achievement that reflects the hard work and dedication of colleagues right across Stonewater. The improvements we’ve made in reducing carbon emissions, upgrading our homes, and investing in biodiversity are all vital steps towards our long-term goal of achieving net zero by 2050.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made but are aware there is still more to do as we build greener, healthier homes and communities for the future, and use our successes to influence and encourage others to do the same.”
In this year’s Environmental, Social and Governance Report, Stonewater highlights:
- 81% of Stonewater homes are now reported as EPC C or above.
- 30% of new builds rated EPC A, almost double last year’s number of A-rated homes.
- In 2024/25, 391 whole-house retrofits have been completed, with a total of 658 underway.
- 34,788 trees have been planted as part of environmental enhancement programmes.
Achieving SHIFT Gold for the fourth consecutive year marks another important milestone on Stonewater’s journey to net zero, underscoring its commitment to creating sustainable, energy-efficient homes and communities. With this success as a platform, Stonewater is now focusing its efforts towards achieving SHIFT Platinum, the highest standard of environmental excellence in the sector.
Carbon emissions overall have also fallen by over 17,000 tonnes since 2020/21, reflecting Stonewater’s commitment to, and achievements in, progressing environmental improvements.
Header image: Adam Masters, Assistant Director of Environment & Sustainability | Stonewater homes in Herefordshire with solar panels installed
