The 2025/26 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, carried out by European consultancy Ritterwald, awarded Hillcrest its highest grading for the second consecutive year.

Published today, the fourth annual report highlights significant progress across its environmental, social and governance commitments, including the launch of its Net Zero and Climate Change Strategy 2025-2030, major investment in energy efficiency, community support initiatives and the delivery of hundreds of new affordable homes.

The assessment also highlighted the millions of pounds in financial benefits delivered to tenants and the investment of almost £300,000 in communities through grants from the Hillcrest Foundation.

Ad Hereijgers, director at Ritterwald, said: “Hillcrest show leadership and a high level of transparency by voluntarily having a third party assess the quality of their ESG credentials. We congratulate them for their high-quality report, demonstrating tangible improvements over the last three years.”

Among the report’s key achievements are:

• Delivery of 223 new affordable homes across Scotland, incorporating low-carbon technologies and high energy-efficiency standards.
• More than 95% of homes now achieving EPC Band C or above
• £4.6m of financial gains secured for tenants and people supported through Hillcrest’s specialist services
• The securing of Hillcrest’s first £15m Green Loan to support decarbonisation projects and its transition to net zero
• Investment in renewable energy through 154 kW of new solar photovoltaic installations at Hillcrest offices in Dundee
• Almost £300,000 distributed through the Hillcrest Foundation to charities and community groups tackling poverty, inequality and social isolation

John Alexander, Hillcrest’s chief executive, said: “Retaining our Exemplary ESG rating is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication of colleagues across Hillcrest to creating positive outcomes for our customers, communities and the environment.”

Hillcrest chairperson Dave Boyle said: “Sustainability is central to how we deliver homes, provide care and support services, invest in communities and make decisions for the future. While we are proud of what has been achieved so far, we recognise that the journey to net zero is a long-term commitment.

“We remain focused on reducing our environmental impact, building climate resilience and ensuring the transition to a more sustainable future is fair and inclusive for the people and communities we serve.”

Danielle Hughes, head of sustainability for housing, added: “Hillcrest continues to be a true sustainability leader in Scotland’s social housing sector, as demonstrated by the association’s many ESG achievements in 2025/26.

“It’s clear that Hillcrest’s dedication to environmental and social wellbeing is a core component of its organisational strategy. Sustainability for Housing is delighted to see Sustainability Reporting Standard (SRS) Adopters like Hillcrest paving the way for a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future for social housing tenants across the UK.”

Hillcrest’s Net Zero and Climate Change Strategy 2025-2030 sets out a clear roadmap for the organisation to become net zero by 2045, including improving the energy efficiency of existing homes, investing in renewable technologies and embedding sustainability throughout its operations.