Since 2013, Oxfordshire-based Greencore has been setting the standard for low carbon homes.
Unlike traditional brick homes, Greencore’s homes innovative timber frame panels are insulated with natural materials, locking up more carbon than they emit.
Greencore aims to deliver 10,000 net zero homes by 2035. Their mission is to create more climate positive places and make a significant, positive impact on the UK’s housing landscape. This includes demonstrating to the housebuilding sector that homes can be built quickly without compromising on environmental or energy efficiency standards.
We spoke with James Pritchett, Communications Manager, to learn more about Greencore’s approach to Climate Positive homes.
Decarbonising housing
“The UK is facing both a climate crisis and a housing shortage. Urgent action and innovative solutions are critical,” explains James. “We are delivering vital new homes whilst meeting exemplary environmental and energy efficiency standards.”
Carbon emissions from new homes primarily come from two sources:
- operational carbon or ‘in use’ emissions from the home’s operation by the resident
- the embodied carbon used in the production and use of materials to build the home
While most homebuilders aim to meet the ‘zero-carbon ready’ requirement in line with the Future Homes Standard 2025, Greencore is already building homes that are net zero in operation.
As other homebuilders only begin to reduce upfront carbon emissions in line with the sector’s embodied carbon implementation plan, Greencore’s homes are better than net zero embodied carbon in the structure of each home and ultra-low embodied carbon in construction of the whole home.
Minimising embodied carbon with innovative construction processes
At Greencore’s factory, they manufacture their Biond panel, a closed timber framed system, which is insulated with hemp, lime, and natural wood fibre. Ian Pritchett, Greencore’s Founder & Innovation Director, highlights the benefit of hemp as a material:
“Industrial hemp takes just 14 weeks, from planting seeds to harvesting a three-to-four metres-high crop. It locks up carbon faster than trees, or almost anything else on the planet.”
Closed timber ‘Biond’ panels at Greencore’s factory in Bicester
Each external wall panel can lock up over 30 kg of CO2e per m². On-site assembly is fast, with the house made air and watertight in approximately two weeks. This fast assembly minimises noise, disruption, and carbon emissions during construction.
Prioritising energy efficiency
Built to Passivhaus standards, these homes are highly insulated to reduce energy demand, with excellent ventilation to ensure superior air quality, comfort, and wellbeing.
Greencore’s energy-efficient homes are powered by renewable sources, making them net zero in operation.
Creating communities and biodiversity
Greencore designs low-carbon, healthy living environments where people can lead active, sustainable lives. By taking a landscape-led approach to each and every development, they are sensitive to local ecology.
To help them do this consistently across all their developments, Greencore apply Bioregional’s One Planet Living (OPL) sustainability framework when planning their climate positive communities.
Showcasing innovation at Springfield Meadows
Greencore’s award-winning project, Springfield Meadows, in Southmoor, Oxfordshire, is a pioneer in the UK residential market.
The 25-home site used Bioregional’s One Planet Living (OPL) framework, achieving Global Leader status using their 10 principles that look at:
- Health and happiness
- Equity and local economy
- Culture and community
- Land and nature
- Sustainable water
- Local and sustainable food
- Travel and transport
- Materials and products
- Zero waste
- Zero carbon energy
The project which achieved Greencore’s ambitious carbon targets also included 35% affordable housing and a focus on local labour where possible.
Springfield Meadows delivers a significant positive environmental impact. By using natural materials and innovative construction, the development achieved a 68% reduction in Whole Life Carbon emissions compared to typical UK homes. This reduction meant saving 4,000 tonnes of emissions – equivalent to taking 800 cars off the road for a year.
Homes at Springfield Meadows are highly energy-efficient and feature:
- Passivhaus design standards
- triple glazed windows
- thermally efficient doors
- solar PV panels, and in some cases battery storage
- Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems and integrated heat pumps
- post occupancy evaluation to measure energy use against predicted performance
2 affordable homes at Springfield Meadows
Climate Positive Places
In partnership with the Berkshire, Buckingshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), Springfield Meadows had a custom action plan in place with native species of biodiversity preferred.
The site will also be monitored for the next 5 years with reports annually for the residents. The development includes private gardens, shared green spaces, and features such as:
- a community orchard
- wildflower meadows
- herb gardens
- a wildlife pond
Walking the talk at Greencore
Greencore is committed to leading by example in the operation of their business too.
Their initiatives include:
- using renewable energy to power their factory and head office, with 726 solar PV panels
- supporting green transport for employees with the Octopus car scheme and free on-site charging for employees and visitors
- using PPE made from recycled materials
- operating a low-emissions Combi-CB4E truck to manage materials on-site
Through their involvement with the Future Homes Hub, Greencore shares knowledge to help the wider housebuilding industry adopt sustainable practices. By doing so, they aim to pave the way for a greener future.
Greencore Homes is a proud member of the SME Climate Hub, the global initiative of the UK Business Climate Hub.
Greencore encourages other businesses to join the Race to Zero by making the SME Climate Commitment today.
Find out about more SME net zero case studies.