Modular housing start-up becomes first carbon-neutral housebuilder

• Modular housing company Etopia Group is meeting the Carbon Neutral International Standard and joining the United Nations’ Climate Neutral Now Initiative
• Etopia Group to offset carbon emissions through grant fund One Carbon World, which supports reforestation projects across the globe 
• Etopia Group building some of the greenest homes available anywhere in the world

Etopia Group, a modular housing and technology company backed by the Reuben Brothers, has become the first housebuilder in the world to achieve both the Carbon Neutral International Standard and to join the United Nations Climate Neutral Now Initiative. 

As a signatory of the UN Climate Neutral Now initiative, Etopia Group has calculated and disclosed its current carbon footprint, including international air travel. The figures show a clear pathway to reducing it year-on-year.

The current carbon emissions of the firm are directly offset using UN-certified emission reductions (CERs) and voluntary emission reductions (VERs). Etopia Group has partnered with One Carbon World, a grant fund set up to help organisations become more sustainable, with the modular housebuilder offsetting its emissions through carbon credits for One Carbon World, which supports reforestation projects across the world. 

The awards follow Etopia Group’s recent announcement that all of its homes currently have an average EPC rating of 103/100, with a high score of 105/100. These new carbon-negative homes are some of the greenest anywhere in the world.

The Carbon Neutral International Standard is a recognition of Etopia’s commitment to measuring, reducing and balancing its carbon footprint, demonstrated by its partnership with One Carbon World and the highly sustainable homes Etopia Group builds. 

The grant covers the measurement of Etopia Group’s carbon footprint, all of which the company achieved net zero emissions for, including:

• Energy
• Fuel
• Water
• Waste
• Business travel
• Logistics
• Commuting and materials use

Etopia Group, which currently has capacity to manufacture more than 2,000 homes a year from its Cheshire-based factory, describes itself as an “ecitech” company – energy, construction and intelligent technology. 

The company uses internet of things (IoT) technology to enhance the user experience of home while drastically reducing carbon emissions, with the technology being co-developed by Etopia Group and a major technology company, with the new partnership between the two to be announced in due course. 

There is a drastic need to cut carbon emissions in the built environment, with the construction industry and the buildings themselves being responsible for an estimated 40 per cent of the UK’s total carbon emissions, according to the UK Green Building Council.

By manufacturing homes in a factory, in addition to now signing up to the UN Climate Neutral Now initiative, Etopia Group is creating net-zero homes and is committed to becoming a net-zero carbon company. 

Joseph Daniels, Founder and Chief Executive of Etopia Group, said: “The climate crisis is upon us, and unless we act now the damage done will be unrectifiable. The Carbon Neutral International Standard recognises our commitment to ramping up our carbon-cutting efforts and we are proud to be working with One Carbon World to ensure that new trees are being planted across the world.

“But this is just the first step. The construction industry needs to be dragged forward into the 21st century and bring innovative technologies into both the methods of construction and the homes themselves. Our decisions are not an attempt to greenwash our image; they are about genuinely revolutionising the industry, and creating the high-quality, tech-driven net-zero homes of the future.”

Niclas Svenningsen, Manager of Global Climate Action at UN Climate Change, said: “We have seen a pronounced shift in the way individuals and industries behave in relation to the climate crisis in recent years. The built environment in particular contributes an estimated 40 per cent of the UK’s CO₂ emissions. Energy-inefficient homes and a backwards approach to housebuilding have been far too common, and if we are to radically reduce our carbon emissions, we must look to innovate. We are glad to see Etopia Group applying new ways of thinking and building more sustainable homes, and welcome it to our Climate Neutral Now initiative, hoping that others will follow the example.”

Andrew Bowen, Chief Executive Officer of One Carbon World said: “Etopia Group is not only pioneering eco-products but is operating as an economical and environmental company in its own right. To be the first housebuilder to be awarded both the Carbon Neutral International Standard and participation in the UN Climate Neutral Now Initiative demonstrates a commitment to driving sustainability that few companies in any industries can compete with. But this is just the first step on the sustainability ladder. We need to encourage more companies to offset their emissions and bring about real, long-term change. We are enormously grateful for Etopia Group’s support in our reforestation mission and look forward to working with the company on a long-term basis.”

Article taken from : Business Reporter