Broker Cases

Building a sustainable future

We are working hard to reduce the Society’s impact on the environment and build a more sustainable world for future generations. As a responsible mutual organisation, it’s something we’re passionate about. Our purpose is to help our Members live sustainable and financially resilient lives.

From our people and local communities to the environment, the Society has developed a clear approach to improving our sustainability performance. The Society’s initial focus is on reducing our direct Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 5% each year over a five year period.

Responding to requests from Members for more support from the Society to help identify what energy efficiency improvements they could make to their home, we have brought improving environmental sustainability to the centre of our strategy. We are committed to making sustainable home ownership more accessible for all and our mortgage affordability criteria now includes increased borrowing potential on residential homes with an EPC rating of A, recognising the savings customers can make on their energy bills each month with an energy efficient home. We have also launched a range of incentivised Green Self Build mortgages – find out more below.

Our goals

Our Sustainability Mission

Is to be a highly sustainable modern Building Society. We are working hard to reduce the Society’s carbon footprint by 5% each year and support our Members to live more sustainable lives by providing guidance and products to help them make their homes more energy efficient.

MoreTrees partnership

We are proud of our long standing partnership with MoreTrees BANES, improving the natural world in our community by planting projects in local public spaces. In addition to sponsorship, in 2024 colleagues volunteered to plant 1,200 saplings in local community spaces to celebrate the Society’s 120th anniversary.

Help us be a greener Society

We’re on a mission to become a paperless organisation. Sign up to receive savings account servicing communication by email and help us to be a more sustainable Society.

Green Self Build mortgages

We’ve created a range of green solutions to reward self builders who focus on energy efficiency. Green product incentives include no product fees and cashback. Enhanced affordability criteria recognise the savings customers will make on energy bills when they achieve a high EPC rating, potentially increasing the amount they could borrow as well as improving the energy efficiency of their home.

Find out more

Creating a tree nursery with More Trees

We are delighted to be the first business in Bath to host a tree nursery on its premises. Together with More Trees BANES, we have transformed the courtyard garden space at the back of our Wood Street Branch to grow crab apple and oak tree saplings from seeds collected locally by volunteers at More Trees.

Colleague Steering Group

“The Sustainability & Community Steering Group is responsible for ensuring the Society is on track to achieve our sustainable vision, working towards identifying where our efforts are best placed to support the reduction of the Society’s carbon footprint. We recently played an active role in the Head Office refurbishment project to ensure sustainable features were incorporated when possible.”

Tiffany, Chair, Colleague Sustainability & Community Steering Group

Building a sustainable future

Our goals

Green Self Build mortgages

Creating a tree nursery with More Trees

Colleague Steering Group

You may also like