Crest Nicholson Launches First Integrated Sustainability Report

Leading UK housebuilder Crest Nicholson marks a major change in reporting with an integrated sustainability report, combining business review and non-financial reporting in a single forward looking strategy.

This year marks a significant step forward in Crest Nicholson's approach to reporting Corporate Responsibility with the launch of its first integrated Sustainability Report. This is the first report since the company delisted in 2007, and Crest Nicholson is taking the opportunity represented by significant corporate change to include a summary business review alongside both financial and non-financial performance and ambitions, all combined into a single, cohesive document.

Building on five years of reporting, and to respond to the needs of a wide range of stakeholders, the Crest Nicholson 2007 Sustainability Report presents a forward-looking strategy, highlights the challenges and opportunities, and demonstrates how the company is tackling key sustainability issues whilst generating financial value for the business.

The report has been structured to better reflect the integrated nature of Crest Nicholson's business, and follows the key stages of the development process. It uses exemplar projects to present the spectrum of very real challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and reports on Crest Nicholson's performance and approach.

Commenting on the launch of the report, Crest Nicholson's Chief Executive, Stephen Stone, said: "Crest Nicholson puts sustainability at the heart of its' business model, and this Sustainability Report makes some clear statements about our performance and our forward looking strategy in what is a challenging business environment."

"In a slowing market, the ability to respond to sustainability issues is often put to the test, but to deliver the Government's programme of zero-carbon housing by 2016 it is essential that we continue to innovate and improve the way in which we operate as market leaders. In this report we illustrate how Crest Nicholson strives to achieve this, working with expert partners to research and implement cutting edge design concepts and build technologies that are necessary to deliver sustainable communities."

Key targets for the period 2008-9 include:

- Reducing carbon dioxide emissions arising from office and site activity by 25% by 2020;
- Trialling innovative construction techniques and cutting edge technologies to deliver homes that perform to the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes;
- Halving the amount of construction waste sent to landfill by 2011;
- Working with suppliers to develop a Sustainable Procurement Policy including a target to use 75% sustainably sourced timber by 2009;
- Developing a carbon intensity study to accurately assess the emissions associated with building materials and construction activity;
- All new sites submitted for planning will incorporate internal recycling facilities, water fittings to reduce daily consumption to 105 litres/person/day, 75% low energy lighting, water butts to encourage rainwater re-use;
- Developing ways to support employees in reducing their carbon footprints through awareness raising initiatives, promotion of car-sharing, or the use of public transport.

Crest Nicholson is firmly established as a leading regeneration developer with a passion for not just building homes, but creating vibrant sustainable communities. The Company's track record shows demonstrable commitment to delivering innovative, design led, residential developments and large scale, mixed use, urban regeneration solutions. Its ongoing emphasis on environmentally responsible housing and commitment to deliver truly low carbon sustainable schemes is evident by an ever increasing development portfolio.

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