Housing association nominated for sustainability award

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Environment

A housing association has been nominated for a prize as part of the Sustainable City Awards 2013.

Viridian Housing has been shortlisted for the Tackling Climate Change category, which recognises organisations that are taking steps to mitigate the effects of their operational activities on climate change.

Viridian has been acknowledged for its efforts to engage colleagues and residents in its plans to cut energy use by a third over the last five years.

Karl Linder, Viridian's planning and investment manager, said: “This accolade is a key milestone for Viridian and differentiates our environmental performance from other housing associations in our sector. We are thrilled to be shortlisted for our work on Climate Change. We have a real passion for excellence and strive to reduce our carbon footprint.”

In the past 18 months Viridian has installed cavity wall insulations in 1,018 homes, saving an estimated 296 tonnes per year of CO2 emissions and residents up to £100,000 on their energy bills.

It has also fitted 397 homes with new loft insulation, saving residents around £200 per home per year on their energy bills and saving over 63 tonnes per year of CO2 emissions.

Viridian - which manages 16,000 homes across the UK - is one of three finalists in the running for the award, which will be announced by eco-fashion icon Livia Firth at the Lord Mayor’s residence, Mansion House, on March 19.