High integrity carbon credits with real social impact
Revolutionising carbon emission reductions and alleviating fuel poverty across the UK housing stock
Project Overview
Rarely has a carbon project delivered such direct social value in conjunction with CO2e reductions. Our focus is on serving disadvantaged homes, ensuring instant and continuous social and financial benefits from the moment our measures are implemented.
Fully funded emission reductions
Our project focuses on reducing both the energy costs and carbon emissions across the UK housing stock. Our approach involves fully funding the installation of technologies that reduce energy usage. We identify how much emissions are saved for each households, then turn these reductions into marketable carbon credits. The sale of these credits provides full financial support for the scheme, making it a sustainable initiative.
We identify low-cost, high-impact energy efficiency measures that can be fully funded through the monetization of the emissions reductions they generate.
Our project methodology is ISO14064 compliant and adheres to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).This includes our ongoing monitoring and auditing processes.
Environmental and social impact
As a result, this project delivers both environmental and social impact, making a significant contribution towards the UK's planned emission reduction targets for 2030 and net zero by 2050.
The measures we install will directly improve the health of disadvantaged households in the UK by making heating systems more efficient and enabling tenants to keep their homes warmer.
The project serves a dual purpose: it significantly reduces households' carbon emissions while simultaneously helping alleviate fuel poverty by lowering heating bills.
The environmental and social impacts start the moment we install an energy efficiency measure into a household.
Key Stakeholders
Any carbon project is only as good as the stakeholders involved. We have put together a team of experienced carbon experts and teamed up with top-tier registry and verification bodies to ensure our project meets the compliance, auditing and monitoring demands of a high integrity project.
Project Developer
Verified Carbon Projects are experts in the voluntary carbon market, specializing in identifying and implementing high-integrity carbon projects working with tier-one registries and verification bodies.
Carbon Registry
Northern Trust Carbon Exchange is our registry and settlement platform. They facilitate the purchase of FED approved digital carbon credits using block chain technology via smart contracts and are subject to CFTC regulations.
Validation / Verification body
Earthood are our project auditors and are recognised as one of the leading validation/verification bodies in the world with over 3,000 projects under their belts and 21 international accreditations.
Insurance Partners
We2Sure provide insurance for our carbon credits, bolstering confidence buyer through robust financial guarantees. Their innovative approach safeguards against the risks of fraud, loss, theft, damage, and duplication, ensuring the integrity and reliability of each of our credits.
Problem statement
According to UK government statistics, it is estimated that 13% of the 26 million homes are living in fuel poverty. With 78% of UK Households utilising gas boilers, accounting for 14% of Green House Gas emissions in the UK.
Main issues
With the recent energy price rises, it’s not only the environment, but society that pays the price. Especially those with the least to give like social housing tenants or low-income families in the private sector.
Although there are many energy efficiency products available in the market, the cost of installing these measures can be very expensive and most homes or registered social landlords do not have the available funds to pay for these improvements.
The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe. Over 52% of dwellings were built before 1965, nearly 20% were built before 1919. This means that the UK needs to do more than many other countries to eliminate emissions from its housing stock.
3.2
million
According to government figures, 3.2 million households are living in fuel poverty in the UK.
£2.5
billion
Fuel poverty costs the the NHS and estimated £2.5 billion pounds per year due to health problems.
5.7
million
An estimated 5.7 million homes are having to cut down on using their heating or choosing to skip meals.
Lower educational outcomes
Cold homes can negatively affect children's concentration and overall school performance.
So what is Fuel Poverty?
A household is classed as in Fuel poverty if they spend at least 10% of their income before housing costs.
The Government has estimated that 3.17 million households in England could be classed as living in fuel poverty in 2023. Although this figure is falling, something drastic has to be done now. Some households are being forced to choose between turning heating on or skipping meals.
Public Health England (PHE) has warned there is a damaging overlap between the health impacts of living in a cold home. Pre-existing chronic medical conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and heart disease are particularly badly impacted by a cold home.
Our Solution
Rarely has a carbon credit delivered such direct social value in conjunction with CO2e reductions. Our focus is on serving disadvantaged homes, ensuring instant and continuous social and financial benefits from the moment our measures are implemented.
How we work
We target low-cost high impact measures that significantly reduce carbon emissions at the same time as reducing the use of fossil fuels.
The project launched in March 2024, beginning with the deployment of Endotherm, an award-winning fluid additive that will reduce the tenants’ heating costs by up to 15%.
We have several other measures in the pipeline that will come on board over the next six months that will further reduce heating costs and emissions for each household registered on the project.
We will initially target Registered Social Landlords (RSL's) to manage the installation of our measures into their property asset list with an extended roll-out to the private market in the coming months.
Endotherm
Endotherm is an easy to install, award winning, energy saving additive suitable for any wet heating system that is proven to save up to 15% on a households heating costs.
Made from 100% organic materials Endotherm is non-corrosive to heating system components in use and is non-hazardous with no discharge requirements.
The product interacts with water’s hydrogen bond network to improve its thermophysical properties to maximise the ability of heating systems to deliver heat to the locations required at the times it is needed.
Installation can be completed in less than 20 minutes without having to drain down the heating system.
Real Social Impact
Rarely has a carbon project delivered such direct social impact in conjunction with CO2e reductions. Our focus is on serving disadvantaged homes, ensuring instant and continuous social and financial benefits from the moment our measures are implemented.
15
million tCO2e
Between 10 to 30 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved by our project over the next 10 years from the energy saving measures we install that reduce their fossil fuel consumption.
5
million homes
We estimate we will reach up to 5 million homes in the UK that will instantly benefit from the measures installed by the project. This will include both social housing and privately owned households.
up to
30
% saving
With a range of measures, each property could reduce their heating bills by 15% to 30%. This will directly address fuel poverty by helping disadvantages groups heat their homes faster, and use less gas and oil.
1,000
new jobs
The scheme will have a direct effect on employment all over the UK by providing training and employment for local people. We expect to create up to 1,000 green jobs over the next 4-years.
Warmer homes leading to better health
By providing warmer homes the scheme also addresses several important health issues. A stable temperature reduces the strain on cardiovascular systems, reduces damp associated with respiratory diseases, improves immune function, promotes activity and reduces stress.
Sustainable initiative
Our approach involves, where possible, to fully fund the installation of measures that reduce energy use. We identify emission savings and then turn these reductions into marketable carbon credits. The sale of these credits provides full financial support for the scheme, making it a sustainable initiative.
UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG’s)
Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. Our project maps to six of these key goals.
No poverty
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Our goal
Target 1.2 - By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. SocialDecarb is directly addressing fuel poverty by helping disadvantaged groups through housing associations to heat their homes faster and typically pay 15% less for gas and oil.
Good health and well-being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Our goal
Target 3.4.1 - Reduce the mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease. By providing warmer homes SocialDecarb addresses a number of health issues. A stable temperature reduces the stain on cardiovascular systems, reduces damp associated with respiratory diseases, improves immune function, promotes activity and reduces stress.
Affordable and clean energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Our goal
Target 7.3 - By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. By making fully funded CO2e reductions for housing associations and their tenants we are by definition ensuring that people who man not have been able to afford such initiatives and benefit from the technological innovations provided by the installation of Endotherm in their boilers.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
Our goal
Target 8.2 - Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors. SocialDecarb expects to create over 2,000 jobs over the next 3-years
Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Our goal
Target 12.7 - Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. SocialDecarb is leading a charge to help public procurement practices. We can provide immediate cost and CO2e savings to disadvantaged homes, at no cost to the Housing Association or tenant.
Climate action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Our goal
Target 13.3.2 - Total Greenhouse emissions per year. SocialDecarb has the capacity to reduce over 2% of the UK’s total emissions were our liquid installed in every boiler*. We intend to scale into Europe and beyond as we continue to playing a meaningful part in the race to Net-Zero.
Purchasing high integrity credits has never been easier
UK Based
Fully insured
High social impact
Purchase credits
When you decide to get involved in our project we offer several buying options. In this section we’ll explain to you the different ways to buy carbon credits, and the benefits and risks of each so you can make an informed decision on your selected buying preference.
Option 1: Spot purchase
A spot purchase is when carbon credits are bought and sold with immediate payment and delivery. The buyer pays in full for the carbon credits at the time of purchase, and they are delivered instantly.
This method is only possible for ex-post carbon credits where the emissions reduction has already taken place. The buyer will receive a carbon purchase statement, and the registry changes the ownership of these credits to the name of the buyer. The buyer can then either retire these credits instantly if they wish to use them to offset their carbon emissions or they can retain them for future re-sale should they wish to trade them. For these reasons, spot purchases of carbon credits are optimal for small and medium purchases (up to £1 million), where forward budget planning is not a concern and so a one-off purchase makes sense.
The benefits of a spot purchase of carbon credits are: -
Guaranteed price
The price is guaranteed at the current market price.
Certainty about availability
You are certain your required quantity of credits are available.
Guaranteed level of impact
The carbon benefit is already verified, so credits can be retired immediately if required.
And the risks: -
Poor visibility for future budget planning
The price of the carbon credits may increase in the future, so for repeat purchases in a following year you may have to pay more.
Supply constraints
For future larger purchases you may struggle to find enough availability of ex-post credits to fulfil your offsetting needs.
Option 2: Forward purchase
A forward purchase is when a price for a set amount of carbon credits is agreed upfront, and the credits are delivered at an agreed future date. The buyer pays either in full or with a partial down payment at the point of purchase.
Forward purchases enable buyers to buy fully insured ex-ante carbon credits from our project at a set purchase price – either as a one-off purchase to offset a company’s emissions for a future year, forward buying in bulk for multiple future years or to simply to retain for future re-sale. The buyer receives a carbon purchase certificate, and the ownership of these credits is changed to the name of the buyer. The buyer can use them to offset their future carbon emissions once the credits have matured to ex-post status or they can hold on to them for future re-sale should they wish to trade them.
The benefits of a forward purchase of carbon credits are: -
Guaranteed price
The price is guaranteed at the current market price, even if the price has increased at the point of delivery.
No supply constraints
As demand increases in the voluntary carbon market, the amount of available credits is uncertain. Forward purchasing enables you to lock access to our increased future supply to secure fulfilment in the years to come.
Insurance backed
Your ex-ante credits will be fully insured to guarantee they will become ex-post and will be available for your future offsets.
And the risks: -
Risk of delivery
As the carbon emission reductions that the credits represent have not already taken place, there is some risk that the project may fail to produce this carbon benefit and be unable to fulfil your purchase of carbon credits. However, our insurance removes the financial risk as your purchase funds will be returned if this were to happen.
Price could reduce
Although very unlikely, it is possible that the price of the carbon credits you buy may have decreased by the time your carbon credits are retired.
Option 3: Project investment
Project Investors offer finance within our project’s early growth stage, helping the development and set-up of the project. In return, the investor gets priority access to the generated credits over the project’s lifetime at an agreed discounted price.
For these reasons, investing into our carbon project is ideal for businesses who want to make a large purchase of carbon credits (£200K+) and use their budget to support the development of UK based carbon projects.
The benefits of a project investment of carbon credits are: -
Exclusivity or priority
For companies wanting to buy large amounts of our carbon credits, investing into the project can give exclusive access to a guaranteed volume of carbon credits – often at a very discounted price.
Project relationship and storytelling
Investing into a project means developing a close relationship with the project as you are helping enable the project’s existence– which gives a strong story to tell about your climate actions.
Business Opportunity
Accessing carbon credits at a discounted price means you could choose to sell them on for a profit in the future once the project has succeeded and credits are delivered.
And the risks: -
Risk of delivery
As the carbon emission reductions that the credits represent have not already taken place, there is some risk that the project may fail to produce this carbon benefit and be unable to fulfil your purchase of carbon credits.
Project investment only suits larger purchases
For a project investor, we would be looking at minimum purchase levels of around 4,000 credits.
Latest insights
Find out about the latest news and events taking place in the world of Social Decarb
New Initiative
Social Decarb: Targeting a 25% heating bill reduction for housholds
At Social Decarb, our mission is clear: to deliver meaningful cost savings for housing residents while driving forward the transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon future. We are focused on providing cost-efficient, low-capital products that can deliver immediate energy savings. Our goal is ambitious but achievable—helping residents save up to 25% on their energy bills.
Eugene Bryce
August 9th, 2024
New Partner
We have now secured a deal with We2Sure to provide full insurance for our credits
We welcome the We2Sure to our project and believe this collaboration will make a real difference. Their innovative approach to insuring credits safeguards against the risks of fraud, loss, theft, damage, and duplication, ensuring the integrity and reliability of each of our credits.
Andy Papaiacovou
August 1st, 2024
Event
Housing 24 - A transformative experience for Social Decarb in Manchester
Social Decarb were delighted to attend Housing 2024, marking a key milestone in our mission to revolutionize the way social housing is approached in the UK. The event provided an unparalleled platform to connect with both existing partners and new potential clients who share our commitment to decarbonizing social housing.
Mark Edmondson
July 28th, 2024
New Registry
Social Decarb teams up with Northern Trust Registry and Settlement Platform
Social Decarb were delighted to announce Northern Trust Carbon Exchange as our new registry. They will facilitate the purchase of FED approved digital carbon credits using block chain technology via smart contracts and are subject to CFTC regulations. With $14 Trillion in assets they have added a wealth of experience and security to our carbon credits.
Andy Papaiacovou
March 16th, 2024
New Partner
Social Decarb aligns with the Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housings (SRS)
The project Social Decarb aims to reduce the gas consumption required to heat homes thus minimizing costs and improving energy efficiency. This aligns perfectly with the Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing (SRS), a framework developed and managed by Sustainability for Housing (SfH), a non-profit entity dedicated to enhancing transparency and accountability in sustainability practices within the social housing sector.
Eugene Bryce
March 10th, 2024
New Participant
Social Decarb and Thrive Homes: Pioneering a Sustainable Future Together
Our mission is to lead the charge in decarbonizing housing across the UK, and our partnership with Thrive Homes is a shining example of how collaboration can drive meaningful change. Thrive Homes are committed to providing quality, affordable homes and have been at the forefront of sustainability efforts in the housing sector. We are delighted to be working with them on our project for the whole of their property asset list.
Andy Papaiacovou
November 16th, 2023
Climate Targets
As part of the Paris climate agreement the UK has committed to do its part in hitting the following targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Max 1.5 °C
Limit on global warming by under 2 °C above pre industrial levels.
2030
Reach a 68% reduction in emissions by the year 2030 from the 1990 levels.
2050
For all businesses to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Contact us
To find out more about our project, or to purchase credits, simply fill out and submit the form below and a member of our team will be in touch to arrange a presentation on the benefits of investing/purchasing from the project. Alternatively you can email or call our team using the contact details below: -
Meet our management team
Our philosophy is simple - build a team of diverse, passionate people who care about the environment
Scheme Provider
The project is owned and operated by Verified Carbon Projects UK Ltd
