Barratt London is once again encouraging children across the capital to think about taking a more sustainable approach to Christmas this year. The housebuilder, which is building a range of new homes at its New Market Place and Upton Gardens developments in East Ham and Upton Park, has donated 120 replantable Christmas tree saplings to pupils at St Edward’s Catholic Primary School.

The campaign has been set up to highlight Barratt London’s own approach to sustainability, having committed to becoming the first housebuilder to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, to building net zero carbon homes by 2030, and to purchasing 100% of its operational energy from renewable sources.

Pupils will be able to take home their tree saplings to be enjoyed for many festive seasons to come, and they will serve as a reusable alternative to single use cut or plastic trees. The campaign is a timely encouragement for children and families to think about how everyone can take small steps towards protecting the environment and reduce waste during the gift-giving season.

Paul Underwood, Headteacher at St Edward’s Catholic Primary School, said: “We must strive towards a more sustainable lifestyle, and we welcome this donation from Barratt London to help our children do their bit to become greener. It’s a very festive take on sustainability, and we look forward to seeing the children’s trees grow!”

Pam Reardon, Sales and Marketing Director for Barratt East London, commented: “Taking a more sustainable approach as we build new homes remains our top priority and it is something we are acting on now. This is the second year we have run this festive campaign at schools near our developments and it serves as a reminder to make more environmentally considerate options. The campaign aligns with our own sustainability targets, including a 29% reduction of carbon emissions by 2025. We hope the children and their families enjoy planting and caring for their trees.”

Barratt London is building a range of new homes at New Market Place and Upton Gardens, both close by to St Edward’s Catholic Primary School. The on-site energy centre at Upton Gardens generates efficient clean energy for the site, including solar panels on rooftops while properties are equipped with high thermal performance glass so they stay cool in summer and warm in the winter – a saving which is passed directly onto residents.

There are also 64 electric vehicle charge points, storage for over 1,000 bikes with Cycle Superhighway 2 running directly from Stratford to Aldgate, and a car club scheme to encourage lowering carbon emissions. Green transportation has been given priority. The development opens up a previously inaccessible eight-acre site, creating new cycle and pedestrian links.

Additionally, the scheme uses a carbon efficient centralised heating system, combined Heat and Power units to provide communal hot water and heating, as well as Biodiversity Roofs consisting of plants, rocks and other natural materials that will encourage wildlife.

Barratt London’s New Market Place development similarly promotes car-free living, as well as using highly insulated building fabric and energy efficiency class Grade A kitchen appliances which ensure all new homes have an EPC certificate of B and above.