Leading the way for a better planet

Environmental issues have never been as ingrained into the national and global consciousness as they are right now, and Scotland is leading the way in instigating and inspiring real change in how we tackle climate change.

Scotland hosts the United Nation’s 26th climate change conference from 31st October to the 12th November 2021, with world leaders coming together to discuss the planet’s ecological predicament.

100% clean energy
A report published by Scottish Renewables highlighted that approximately three quarters of all energy generated in Scotland comes from renewables such as wind, solar and hydropower. It also predicts that we will soon be able to meet the equivalent of 100 percent of our electricity needs from clean energy sources.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “I’m hugely proud that renewable energy projects across Scotland are delivering on jobs for communities, particularly in rural areas, while helping to displace the carbon emissions which cause climate change.”

Scotland is also leading the way in the use of solar panels for new-build homes.

Chris Hewlett, Chief Executive of the Solar Trade Association, recently commented: “Anecdotal evidence from our Scotland members suggests four in five new build properties are developed with solar fitted.”

He also called for the housing industry south of the border to catch up.

Zero carbon target
In June 2019, the UK passed laws to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. This means that councils have stringent targets to meet in order to instigate the necessary changes required, particularly when it comes to housing.

Recycling is a key factor in how vital changes can be made to help reach this 2050 goal. As the construction industry is the second largest consumer of plastic in the UK, it’s vital for Housing Associations and Local Authorities to work with companies who have a strong commitment to sustainability.

Part of the solution
Making the environment a priority is nothing new to us at Sidey. As Scotland’s strongest fenestration company, we take our green responsibilities very seriously, for the benefit of our staff, customers, local communities, and the planet in general.

The range of windows, doors and conservatory products that we manufacture have been designed to achieve impressive levels of thermal efficiency, cutting down on energy waste and reducing the carbon footprint of properties.

We were we one of the first window and door manufacturers in Britain to gain ISO EMS 14001 accreditation and also one of the first to achieve the latest EMS 14001-2015 certification, the highest environmental standard available in the UK.

Hitting environmental targets
In 2008, we set two big targets. The first was to send zero waste to landfill and the second was to attain 100 percent recycling from our manufacturing waste – we gave ourselves 10 years to achieve this.

After a lot of hard work and total commitment to these goals, we hit both targets in 2015 – three years early – and have maintained them ever since.

We also recycle everything we possibly can from the old windows and doors that we bring back from installations – and this equates to an impressive 99.3 percent.

Working together to achieve success
It’s important to partner with associations and provide them with a holistic approach to help them achieve their environmental targets. We understand the needs of our clients, local authorities, housing associations, RSLs, developers and specifiers to increase their commitments and we offer measured and verified data for them to use.

By working together, we can all do our bit to help stop climate change. In the words of Sir David Attenborough: “It’s surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on earth.”

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