Leading investor, developer and operator of rental communities Moda Group has announced its Fitwel Champion status. This prestigious grading has been given to Moda as it continues to lead change by committing to use Fitwel for its vast and growing portfolio, applying exceptionally high standards from the world’s leading certification system for healthy buildings and communities. Fitwel has already awarded the highest accreditation of 3-star to four of Moda’s neighbourhoods, making Moda a world leader in certifications. The Fitwel Champion news comes as Moda releases its new ESG report looking back on 2023 as part of its Next Generation Futures strategy, first announced in 2022, and looks ahead to initiatives planned for 2024.  Moda is the first developer and operator to have all its operational neighbourhoods achieve some of the highest sustainability targets in the sector, working to industry standards set by LETI, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the UK Green Building Council, as well as achieving: Moda has also worked closely with councils across the UK to add social value through employment and skills, culture and placemaking with a number of landmark ESG projects. In the West Midlands, Moda worked with contractor John Sisk & Sons and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to launch the second WMCA-funded on-site Skills Hub at Moda’s Great Charles Street site in Birmingham. The hub offers free training and employment opportunities for local people with a guaranteed job interview. It continues the work carried out by the group at Moda, The Mercian, which exceeded all its targets and supported 140 new employment opportunities at the site during construction, including seven apprenticeships.  The new hub at Great Charles Street is targeting a further 240,000 work hours specifically for local people. In Brighton & Hove, Moda worked closely with the city council and a dedicated Community Liaison Group (CLG) to plan a £10m investment in public realm in its forthcoming Moda, Hove Central neighbourhood. The CLG, made up of community representatives and local MP Peter Kyle, developed an ambitious £450,000 public art strategy which has already resulted in on-site murals painted by local artists and the funding of the Flight of the Langoustine sculpture of Hove Plinth on the city’s seafront. Following a national call, several artists have been selected to co-produce a range of sculptures and installations across the site’s public realm. Moda has also been a major sponsor of the Brighton Festival for two years running, which welcomed 53,000 attendees in 2023. In Leeds, Moda worked in collaboration with creative agency New Citizens and Leeds City Council to create the biggest outdoor event space in Leeds with Canvas Yard, based in an area which Moda is in the process of developing. Canvas Yard welcomed 14,000 attendees to its range of music, sports, cultural and arts events in 2023 with a series of events lined up again for summer 2024. Other key highlights from the new ESG report include: Tarry Depledge, ESG Manager, Moda Group, said: “Our ‘Next Generation Futures’ ESG strategy set out a bold and ambitious roadmap for Moda, and this report is a summary of everything we have been doing to create positive change to our environment, our communities, and our business governance for the last financial year. There has been a large focus on reducing our embodied and operational carbon levels, doing the right thing for our communities, hiring locally and offering skills and training while promoting physical, mental and social wellbeing for both our residents and our team. “Apart from continuing to roll out innovative ESG initiatives, we remain focussed on keeping our culture, purpose and resident vision aligned with our ESG Strategy while achieving our 2025 targets. “There is however still a long way to go, and being welcomed as a Fitwel Champion is just one way we can commit ourselves to making sure that we have a positive impact on the communities we operate in for generations to come.” The Fitwel Standard translates the global public health evidence base into practical, implementable design and operational strategies and guidelines to be used at the building level, community level, and at scale. Joanna Frank, President & CEO of the Center for Active Design, the sole operator of Fitwel, said: “We’re thrilled that Moda has committed to becoming a Fitwel Champion. It is commendable to see Moda commit to Fitwel as part of their ‘Next Generation Futures’ ESG strategy to create positive change by focusing on developing healthier spaces and communities. In today’s real estate landscape, prioritizing the health of our planet and people is no longer a trend; it’s a business imperative, representing both risk and opportunity. By embracing an evidence-based health-focused approach, Moda is not only responding to stakeholder demand but also leading the way in shaping a healthier future in the UK. We applaud their trailblazing efforts and welcome them as Champions in the healthy building movement.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Beyond reshaping the Birmingham skyline, Moda, The Mercian – thanks to its on-site Skills Hub – created training and employment opportunities for hundreds of local people. The West Midlands Combined Authority proudly played its part in funding that important initiative. “It’s good news that Moda and Sisk are continuing this work at their Great Charles Street site in the Jewellery Quarter, so familiar to Brummies as ‘The Bomb Site’. This is testament to the power of partnership – where we see what can happen when people right across our region work together. “I look forward to Moda continuing to make a positive impact – as set out in their new ESG report – in the months and years ahead.”   Peter Kyle MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Moda on the delivery of their Hove Central neighbourhood and on a range of social value initiatives including the public art strategy for Hove. Their new ESG report demonstrates the boldness and ambition of Moda’s commitment

A host of charities and organisations supporting communities across Scotland have been awarded funding from SP Energy Networks’ Net Zero Fund to introduce innovative net zero technology. The groups will receive grants to help them decarbonise and reach their net zero targets sooner – through the installation of solar panels and heat pumps, to the purchase of electric vehicles and retrofitting listed buildings to increase energy efficiency. The £5million Net Zero Fund was launched in 2022 by SP Energy Networks, part of the ScottishPower group, to support vulnerable communities and ensure no one is left behind on the country’s journey to net zero emissions. It directly supports organisations within SP Energy Networks’ transmission areas who have green ambitions and are looking to decarbonise their communities across Central and Southern Scotland. The next round of the Net Zero Fund is now open and is welcoming applications from eligible charities and community organisations. Alongside financial support, the fund also offers guidance and support to community organisations and charities looking to take the next step on their decarbonisation journey. Scott Mathieson, Network Planning and Regulation Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “SP Energy Networks takes pride in serving all of the communities of Central and Southern Scotland. “Our staff and networks are part of the fabric of the central belt and it’s right therefore that we play our part in ensuring the most vulnerable customers in our areas also obtain access to the benefits that zero emission energy can bring in transport, heat and jobs. “The projects awarded in our first round of our Net Zero Fund are diverse, they range from addressing renewable heat challenges in Victorian buildings in Govan in the heart of Glasgow through to enabling a smart energy community hub and Scout hall in Ardrossan.  The ingenuity of these community led schemes is inspiring and we feel privileged to help them realise their net zero future. “Our next funding round is now open, and we’re welcoming applications from eligible charities and community groups looking to accelerate their net zero plans.” Among the recipients of the first round of funding is Govan Heritage Trust – a group dedicated to preserving and promoting Govan’s cultural heritage. Following the closure of Govan Old Church in 2007, the community Trust rescued the A-listed building and its contents which included the internationally renowned Govan Stones, one of the most impressive collections of early medieval sculpture in Europe. Now in community ownership, the property is being developed into a museum to showcase the site’s heritage. The renovations will also offer a meeting space for local organisations and charities such as those catering for elderly and isolated members of the community; groups welcoming and supporting refugees; organisations working with Govan’s youth; and local schools looking to learn about heritage. To support the Trust in its efforts to lower emissions, the Net Zero Fund is providing a grant of £150,000 to install a River Source Heat Pump, an initiative ran in partnership with the Clyde Mission Fund. The renewable plant will deliver a 93% reduction in carbon emissions and 20% saving in energy costs. Speaking on the support, Pat Cassidy, a Trustee of Govan Heritage Trust said: “Govan Old church and the Govan Stones are our community’s greatest architectural and cultural assets and we’re using them to benefit local people. “Achieving net zero has always been at the forefront of our redevelopment plans, but there are particular challenges when it comes to making sustainable improvements to such a historic site. We are very grateful for the generous support of the Net Zero Fund which helps us overcome these obstacles and complete the installation of a Heat Pump that will generate energy from the Clyde – resulting in a dramatic reduction on both our carbon emissions and outgoings. “We know that times are tough for many of the groups who use our community hub, and this investment will help us provide a more flexible and affordable space and increase our visitor numbers.” Food Train’s Stewartry branch has also been awarded over £100,000 in funding to replace two of its current vehicles with new electric models and install a charging point at the Dumfries and Galloway base. The charity makes life easier for older people by providing vital services to those who are no longer able to manage independently. Its team of volunteers make hundreds of grocery deliveries every week – making access to reliable and efficient transport an essential part of its operation. Gaynor Grant, Business Development Manager at Food Train, said: “Our volunteers are out on the road most days of the week, and while the service they are providing is absolutely crucial to the older people in the community, we have always been conscious of the miles on the road we clock up and the impact this has on our carbon footprint. “The support of SP Energy Network’s Net Zero Fund will allow us to electrify our fleet and make a significant reduction to our current emissions output. For our customers, our volunteer visits are a key part of their life; having the onsite charging point will be essential in ensuring we always have reliable transport to reach them.” 1st Ardrossan 15th Ayrshire Scout Group has also been awarded funding, receiving a grant of £93,000 to support extensive renovations of their current Scout hall, including the installation of an air source heat pump, insulation, and replacement glazing. The hall is currently used by a host of different community organisations – from mental health support groups to those working with people with additional support needs. The sustainable improvements are predicted to allow the hall to increase weekly visitors by as much as 50 people, providing a vital community space for more local groups. To involve young people in their net zero transition and help them learn about the importance of reducing carbon emissions, the Scouts are also planning on incorporating the learnings from the project into the current Global Issues and Community Impact Scout badges. Alan Donaldson, Trustee