ESG extends our commitment to optimising life

We take climate change seriously. We’re committed to becoming net zero by 2045 for the emissions we can control. It’s a big but important task so we’ve published a Net Zero Carbon Roadmap detailing our process.

Our net zero carbon target is underpinned by the SBTi and CRREM II pathway, meaning it’s fully aligned to the Paris Agreement. 

To fully understand where we can improve, we’ve conducted Net Zero Carbon energy audits across our portfolio. We’ll be decarbonising our plant & equipment, for example removing gas boilers and replacing them with air source heat pumps.

We use LED lighting throughout our locations, and our movement and daylight sensors means lighting is only on when necessary.

Many of our sites have integrated renewable technologies as standard, such as solar PV, complementing our 100% renewably sourced electrical supply.

We’re addressing our Scope 3 emissions with on-site cycle storage facilities and locations which are near public transport services.

As part of our commitment to sustainable building design, we run climate risk assessments on all new and existing buildings to alleviate physical, transitional, and social risks. We integrate these factors into all new development projects, from acquisition through to completion. This helps us future-proof our assets, becoming more resilient to climate change.

Our sites are also in the process of being BREEAM In-Use certified, making sure carbon creep doesn’t happen once a site is up and running.  

All of our buildings have water efficient showers, taps and toilets and we regularly encourage residents to be water conscious. Our in-house teams regularly maintain all equipment, including the replacement of flush and shower seals to minimise water loss from leaks..

We’re improving waste management, generating micro circular economies by encouraging the reuse, repurpose, reduction and recycling of products. All general waste avoids landfill by going to a Waste to Energy facility.

Some of our locations have green roofs to support local ecosystems, particularly in urban areas.

For our new developments, we’re sourcing alternative materials and introducing new building methods from the outset to remove and reduce embodied carbon.

Social initiatives are core to our business. We’re proud to promote, organise and run a range of activities that support the mental health and wellbeing of our residents, including exercise classes, social meet ups for residents and their friends, local goods and services, and national/international events. 

Communication is essential to make this happen. Our unique Scape app makes it easy for residents to access professional materials and support with a push of a button.  

Our on-site teams are mental health and first aid trained to provide direct, human support for most situations around-the-clock, as our sites always have someone at hand. 

We make positive contributions to the communities we call home. Cultivating successful partnerships with universities, hospitals, charities, authorities and local businesses is a crucial part of our approach. 

We also support local employment. Working with local job centres and offering apprenticeship schemes means our employees are from the surrounding area where possible.  

We provide opportunities for further education for everyone. Setting aside bedrooms every year to house students in need helps us to support a range of initiatives, such as Academics at Risk from regions of conflict through to local students affected by the cost-of-living crisis. 

We’re proud to invest in our employees with many being with us for several years. This stability and empowerment gives our employees opportunities to develop, grow and shine, making us a better business. 

We invest in the long term through a comprehensive reward and recognition scheme, making sure employees can fulfil their potential and balance the demands of their work and personal lives.  

We’ve also invested in an award-winning HQ, with a centralised location to our sites and design features that will enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of many of our employees.

Our residences have gym facilities, quiet and multi-faith rooms, making sure we’re fully inclusive to the needs of those who stay with us. 

We’re proud to have diversity, equality and inclusion at the heart of what we do and this is enshrined in our workplace policy. 

We follow a supply code of conduct and a procurement policy, enabling an integrated responsible value chain that spans from site development, into construction through to the final operation of our sites. 

From the 23/24 financial year we’ll be reporting voluntarily on our climate-related risks, in line with the recommendations of the global Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). 

Our stakeholders have high expectations, and rightly so. To hold ourselves accountable, we’re active participants of the voluntary, internationally recognised, Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) and are committed to achieving 4/5 stars from 2023. 

Our approach to ESG is underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

Our drive to be a more sustainable and transparent business is a pledge shared by everyone who works for and behalf of Meanwhile. If you’d like to read more of the detail behind our ESG strategy you can download our ESG report below.