Wheatley launches sustainable finance framework

The new framework aligns Wheatley’s strategic sustainability priorities with its funding and financial strategy – and allows the Group to expand its funding base to help achieve its sustainability goals.

The move is in response to an increasing focus from funders on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impact of their investments and their support for low-carbon, environmentally friendly businesses.

Wheatley – Scotland’s leading housing, care and property-management group – already has a strong track record in sustainability and is continually improving the energy-efficiency of its homes through investment work.

Wheatley has developed the SFF with input from the NatWest Markets ESG advisory team. External accreditation for the framework has been published by Standard and Poors in their Second Party Opinion.

This accreditation highlights the SFF’s alignment to internationally recognised social bond and loan principles, green bond and loan principles and sustainable loan principles.

The Group is confident its commitment to creating sustainable homes and the positive impact this can have on communities will attract investors supportive of the sustainability goals set out in the SFF, which align to UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Wheatley Group is announcing the plans as Glasgow hosts the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Steven Henderson, Wheatley Group’s Director of Finance said: “Wheatley is committed to creating ‘Greener Homes, Greener Lives’ across Scotland – and the new SFF framework will be integral to helping us deliver on these goals.

“Our communities are already benefiting from our sustainable investment programme - tackling fuel poverty, reducing the costs of running a home and creating jobs and training opportunities.

“This new framework will help us do even more to improve sustainability and deliver on our ambitious plans.”

Dr Arthur Krebbers, Head of Sustainable Finance Corporates at NatWest Markets said:

“We are delighted to have supported Wheatley in establishing its inaugural sustainable finance framework.

“The framework marks an important milestone for Wheatley’s sustainability journey and the Scottish sustainable finance market more broadly. It provides a transparent and robust avenue for investors to support Wheatley’s ESG projects and initiatives.”