On 23 September, Gleeson Homes joined hundreds of businesses, government departments, civil society organisations, and schools in a global movement by flying the UN Sustainable Development Goal (“SDG”) flags at its Sales Centres to raise awareness and instil passion among stakeholders for the 2030 agenda. The flags, which will be displayed until 3 October 2022, are featured at the Canal Walk development (pictured) and other sites across Greater Manchester.
This September marks seven years since the world embraced the SDGs. Also known as the Global Goals, the SDGs reflect a shared objective and ambition across all UN countries to end poverty and hunger, combat inequalities within and among countries, build peaceful and inclusive societies, protect human rights, promote gender equality for women and girls, among others. Ultimately, they endeavour to ensure lasting protection of people and the planet by 2030.
With only 1 in 10 Britons being familiar with the SDGs, Gleeson Homes hopes, through raising these flags, to increase awareness and encourage colleagues, customers, and our local communities to involve themselves and take action to help meet the shared 2030 agenda.
The SDGs are incorporated into the Gleeson Sustainability Strategy, and we are focusing our efforts on the following six goals: gender equality, decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life on land. These are the most relevant to our business operations and where we can make a positive impact to progress them.
As a provider of affordable and high-quality homes, the Gleeson model sits perfectly with SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities. Gleeson homes provide a way for young, first time buyers to exit the renting trap and enter the property ladder. It is cheaper to buy a Gleeson home than to rent an equivalent property and, pertinently in the current climate, it is almost 50% cheaper to heat a Gleeson home.
Gleeson is proud to take part in the UN Global Compact’s SDG flag campaign this year and will be flying our SDG flags with pride until 3 October to continue promoting and raising awareness of the role that SDGs play in achieving sustainable development.
Matt Gibb, Group Sustainability Manager for Gleeson Homes, says:
“Sustainability is at the heart of all we do here at Gleeson and, with the majority of our developments being built on brownfield sites, we help to transform and repurpose the land whilst providing affordable and energy-efficient housing for those who need it the most in the communities where they are needed most.”
To find out more about Gleeson’s sustainability strategy, and the work we do in our communities, please visit www.gleesonhomes.co.uk.
