Climate Action

Ambitious Science Based Targets

Taking action to reduce our impact

In December 2020, we received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for our science-based targets (SBTs) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These committed us to:

• Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50% by FY2030 from a FY2019 base year.
  
  
• Reduce indirect GHG emissions (scope 3 purchased goods and services and use of sold products) 40% per square metre of legally completed floor area over the same timeframe.

These targets were calculated to ensure that we play our part in limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and represented an ambitious step forward in Berkeley's approach to tackling climate change.

In 2023, we surpassed our SBT for scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions, having achieved a 76% reduction from our baseline year. Updated near-term and new net zero SBTs across scopes 1, 2 and 3 have been submitted to the SBTi to continue to drive action.

We publicly report our emissions and progress against our SBTs on an annual basis as detailed on our ESG performance page here. 

Our emissions reporting methodology and details of the independent limited assurance received can be found within our carbon and climate change disclosures here. 

Transition Plan

Working to become net zero carbon across scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2045

Responding to the key areas of transitional risk and opportunities for the business, and to achieve our net zero ambitions, our transition plan focuses on reducing embodied carbon, low carbon operations and delivering low carbon homes (as detailed below). Key climate actions of our transition plan are detailed in our 2025 Annual Report.

As part of the development of our transition plan, Berkeley has been reviewing our future approach to carbon credits. We currently support the UK-based Retrofit Credits project developed by HACT and PNZ Carbon. This pioneering and unique project uses funds to retrofit social housing through the installation of energy efficient measures such as improved insulation, thereby reducing emissions of existing housing stock whilst also delivering social value.

Embodied Carbon

Meeting our science-based target by reducing the carbon impact of the materials and services we use 

We recognise that the majority of our carbon impact comes from the materials and services we use to construct homes. We have undertaken more than 60 embodied carbon assessments across a range of building typologies, giving us valuable data to understand how our current buildings are performing and the biggest impact areas within our buildings so that we can reduce these during the design and procurement phases. 

We have been working with our supply chain over several years to understand and reduce the carbon content of the materials and services we procure. We have implemented a supply chain engagement strategy for high carbon impact material groups and are delighted to have been listed as a CDP Supplier Engagement Leader in both 2023 and 2024. We preferentially partner with suppliers that share our commitment to climate action and are reducing emissions within their own operations.

This year the pilot version of the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard was released; we have chosen to align our internal targets with these industry-wide limits and to adopt the updated methodology for calculating embodied carbon set out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to ensure comparability in results. We also play an active role within several industry groups to share knowledge and lessons learnt. This includes the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and the Future Homes Hub.

Low Carbon Operations

Meeting our science-based target by reducing absolute emissions across our direct operations

We were proud to have achieved our initial scopes 1 and 2 SBT seven years early, through significant efforts and determination of our teams to operate more efficiently. This reduction was predominantly achieved through the use of certified biodiesel HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) as a low carbon alternative to fossil diesel, which we continue to specify for direct fuel purchases. We allocate individual energy budgets to construction sites to focus attention on reductions and encourage our site teams to opt for electric and hybrid machinery.

We are also working to decarbonise our company vehicle fleet with new or replaced vehicles to be hybrid or electric from 2026.

Low Carbon Homes

Meeting our science-based target by reducing the in-use carbon emissions of our homes

We are striving to achieve our validated SBT to reduce the in-use lifetime carbon emissions of our homes. We focus on improving the fabric efficiency of our homes and integrating the appropriate low carbon technologies, including heat pumps and photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Our customer service and sales teams are provided with training to understand the sustainability features of developments and homes, and they provide a demonstration of these at handover, to enable and advocate low carbon lifestyles. 

We have a requirement for all homes to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) minimum energy efficiency standard rating of B, excluding refurbishments. This aligns with our Green Finance Framework.

Resilience 

Managing climate risks for our developments and business

We are making our homes and places resilient to the impact of climate change. Prior to land purchase, we assess the land to identify all types of risks, including those related to climate change such as flooding and overheating. We will continue to incorporate adaptation measures in the homes and developments we build, and integrate nature-based solutions to create places that are more resilient to extreme weather.

We use the results of climate scenario analysis within our strategic planning processes  to assess the risks and opportunities to our business posed by climate change.

Climate-Related Disclosures

This extract from the Berkeley Group’s 2025 Annual Report details our climate-related disclosures in line with the TCFD report Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and consistent with the UK Listing Rules.

The Berkeley Group's Green Finance Framework

The Berkeley Group has established a Green Finance Framework to allow us to fund investment in our developments with environmentally and socially impactful and transparent debt instruments.

Our Vision 2030: 2025 Progress Update

This extract from the Berkeley Group’s 2025 Annual Report provides an update on progress towards meeting our targets across each of our ten strategic priorities and details highlights for the period May 2024 to April 2025.