Our commitment
Beacon’s vision is better places for people and the planet, so we naturally have a strong commitment to sustainability and are working towards limiting the environmental impact of our business in all sorts of different ways.
Beacon – a SHIFT gold accredited organisation
Beacon was awarded SHIFT Gold accreditation in 2025 following the third independent audit of our business against environmental targets. SHIFT is the sustainability standard for the housing sector and carries out audits across the UK. Our first audit in 2021 resulted in a Silver accreditation, followed by Gold in 2022 and again in 2025, so we are delighted to be moving in the right direction when it comes to sustainability.
Optimised Retrofit Programme
The Optimised Retrofit Programme is Welsh Government funded. The objective of this project is to decarbonise existing homes to a point where they no longer remit any greenhouse gases. The programme is geared to gather a great deal of data, including indoor temperatures and thermal resistance of walls so that each type of dwelling in Wales can receive a ‘passport’. Head to the Optimised-retrofit.wales for more information.
Sustainable estates – nature zones
We are committed to reducing use of tools and machinery that uses non-renewable fuels across our caretaking and estates services. This change reduces the release of CO2 into the atmosphere and local environments, reduces noise pollution, and preserves habitat shelters and pollination opportunities for wildlife. Our teams are expanding their use of battery-operated garden machinery, which reduces Beacon’s dependence on fossil fuels, as well as the associated carbon emissions. You can find out more from our Estates Team by heading to our Nature Zone page.
Electric vehicle fleet
We currently have 25 electric vans and 37 charging points, from central Swansea to Waunceirch in Neath and Ynys Lee, north of Port Talbot. This network makes electric vans a real option for wider deployment, especially as battery technology improves and greater range is achievable.Keeping it localBeacon has a local procurement preference; that is, in order to keep money within our local economies we will seek to purchase goods, supplies and services from as close to us as possible, and from within Wales where this is not possible. Last year, 47% of Beacon’s spend was with suppliers in the local area, with a further 22% spent elsewhere in Wales.
Carbon Literacy
Carbon Literacy is an umbrella term for a campaign which aims to provide participants with a baseline understanding of the causes and effects of climate change, as well as to inspire those individuals to take action to reduce their own carbon footprints. Beacon was involved at the very start of the Carbon Literacy Consortium Cymru, which created a Carbon Literacy course for use in housing associations throughout Wales. The course covers the science of global warming, what is likely to happen to Wales if warming trends are allowed to continue, as well as the importance of the role of the social housing sector in taking climate action. Currently, over 50% of Beacon’s staff are certified as Carbon Literate, with course attendance being mandatory training at Beacon. Beacon is currently a silver-accredited Carbon Literate organisation and is aiming for Gold by autumn 2026.
Beacon sustainability documents
English 
Welsh