West Sussex housebuilder makes environmental commitment

The housebuilder is joining the United Nations’ ‘Race to Zero’ campaign, which is designed to form leadership and support for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery. The campaign also aims to prevent future threats, create decent jobs, and unlock inclusive, sustainable growth.

Thakeham Group is one of only five housebuilders in the construction sector globally to join the ‘Race to Zero’, the firm said. The West Sussex-based business joins 454 cities, 23 regions, 1,397 businesses, 74 of the biggest investors, and 569 universities who are already committed to the campaign.

They have all pledged to take action to halve the earth’s greenhouse gas emissions before 2030, achieve net zero emissions before 2050, and to disclose their progress on a yearly basis.

Rob Boughton, CEO, Thakeham Group, said: “Thakeham is proud to join the ‘Race to Zero’ and sign up to the SME Climate Commitment. Our three big zero carbon commitments already mean we will deliver on the ‘Race to Zero’ goals ahead of schedule.

“The ‘Race to Zero’ is an important global campaign. It gives us the opportunity to share the lessons we learn on our journey to zero carbon. We hope our pledge will encourage others in the industry to make a similar commitment. The first step is to simply recognise the threat that climate change poses and then to take action; as we all must.”

Andrew Griffith, Arundel and Southd Downs MP and the UK’s net zero business champion, added: “This is wonderful news. Thakeham has become the first housebuilder in the UK to have made commitments on the SME Climate Hub.

“Business has a central role to play in making a successful transition to a low carbon economy and we hope many more businesses will follow Thakeham’s lead.

“Particularly in the run up to COP26, it is crucial that we join forces to support the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign.”

Before joining the ‘Race to Zero’, Thakeham Group had already made three zero carbon commitments for 2025. The home developer pledged that every Thakeham home will be zero carbon in lifetime operation; that each home built will be carbon neutral in production; and Thakeham Group as a whole will also be a zero carbon business.