On the 21st February Convene ESG and RITTERWALD hosted a lunch to help facilitate a network and discussions between housing associations and lenders about the realities of ESG Reporting and Financing. We wanted this to be an opportunity to air grievances and see the paths forward, and thankfully there were many productive conversations that have started because of this.
Recent posts by Gabriella Mangham
2 min read
Convene ESG and RITTERWALD Host Housing Associations and Lenders Lunch
Topics: ESG SRS for Social Housing Housing
2 min read
Webinar: Convene ESG looks forward for 2024
Today Convene ESG hosted yet another successful webinar about what you can expect in the Housing ESG realm in 2024.
Topics: Sustainability ESG SRS for Social Housing Housing
3 min read
Webinar: Anna Haskins talks SRS 2.0.
Today we hosted yet another insightful webinar in our SRS 2.0. Series. This time we were joined by Anna Haskins from The Good Economy to discuss the implications of the SRS 2.0. and how Housing Associations should prepare themselves to report against it. Here is our brief summary of the discussions.
Topics: SRS for Social Housing
4 min read
Convene ESG Hears From Experts At Networking Event
Last week Convene ESG hosted another networking event for Housing ESG professionals. We had many interesting discussions during the cocktail hour about how best to approach ESG as an organisation. A common topic was how Housing Associations are working to embed a culture of ESG in their day-to-day activities.
Topics: Sustainability ESG SRS for Social Housing Housing
2 min read
Webinar: Convene ESG and RSM discuss the SRS
Last week (after a few technical difficulties) Convene ESG joined RSM to produce a star-studded webinar. We were joined by Anna Haskins from the Good Economy, Michael Cook from Thirteen Group, Steven Radcliffe from RSM and of course our very own Arturo Dell.
Topics: SRS for Social Housing
3 min read
Webinar: Richard Hunt from CAF Bank
Today Convene ESG hosted another constructive webinar, this time we were joined by Richard Hunt from CAF Bank to talk about what borrowing green loans looks like.
Green Loans are a loan that the borrower has to exclusively use for sustainability projects. Increasingly in the Housing Sector, this means providing the lender with an SRS Report. During this webinar, Richard Hunt explained that there are 4 components that go together to form a Green Loan:
Use of Proceeds -demonstrating what the green loan will be used for.
Project Evaluation and Monitoring - ensuring funds are used appropriately.
Management of Proceeds - separate green loan bank account and providing invoices.
Reporting - ongoing proportionate reporting on the project.
Richard Hunt also detailed that we need a holistic approach. Sustainability is on everyone’s agenda, both customers, financing organisations and housing associations acknowledge its importance, but no one can make economic or governing decisions without data. The benefit of green loans may be the discounts, but the tying together for a common purpose is the key point. Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability is economically sound not only because for some rent and heating are costing the same amount but also because it will provide better risk management.
Sustainability in finance and green loans are the future, so investing now will save money in not only the short but also the long-term. If you would like to learn more, please rewatch the webinar here.
From all of us at Convene ESG, we want to thank Richard Hunt for his valuable insights and for sharing his knowledge. We believe that the Housing Sector working together can make great strides towards positive change, and Green Loans are a major part of this. Convene ESG want to be able to host more discussions like this in the future and already have some major events planned. To see more, visit our events page here.
Topics: ESG SRS for Social Housing Housing
3 min read
Julia Miranda talks about her process
At Housing 2023 we are joined by Julia Miranda, a graphic artist, who has helped us put together visual representations of trending issues in the sector relating to governance and ESG. We recently spoke to her about her process in creating these works.
Topics: Housing
2 min read
What is Earth Day?
Today, 22nd April, the world is celebrating Earth Day, but what is it exactly?
Topics: Sustainability ESG
4 min read
How To Raise ESG Concerns At Board Level
From Public Companies, Housing Associations to Private Enterprises, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns are becoming an increasingly discussed topic. You may be thinking about how to start raising these ESG issues to your Board of Directors, so we have written this helpful guide.
Topics: ESG Business Insights
6 min read
How Does An ESG Software Save You Money?
Forbes estimates that organisations can save up to $4 million annually through automating simple processes with software. It has also been proven time and time again that investing in ESG saves you money. But why is this, and how can you apply this to your ESG reporting?
Topics: Sustainability ESG SRS for Social Housing Why Convene?
4 min read
Webinar: ESG Reporting: Cutting through the complexity
Today Convene ESG sponsored Inside Housing’s Webinar on “ESG Reporting: Cutting through the complexity”, with guest speakers including Andy Smith(The Good Economy), Julie McDowell (Chair, Blackwood Housing), Russell Smith (ESG Lead, Orbit Group), Brendan Sarsfield (Chair, Sustainability for Housing) and our very own Arturo Dell (Convene ESG). We want to thank everyone for an insightful discussion into the status and future of ESG in Housing. In case you missed it, here are our key takeaways.
Topics: ESG SRS for Social Housing Housing
4 min read
How To Integrate ESG into Your Housing Governance Processes
Housing Associations are paving the way for other sectors with their ESG efforts, but the task of ESG shouldn’t just fall on one ESG manager. ESG needs to be integrated into everyone’s day-to-day task management and governance processes. Here are our helpful tips on how this can be achieved simply and seamlessly.
Topics: Governance Sustainability ESG SRS for Social Housing Housing
2 min read
The Women Who Changed Computers
Did you know that “computers” existed before software and hardware. Not too long ago, we relied on “human computers” to get our calculations and from the 1800s onwards this task was predominantly performed by women.
2 min read
Webinar: An Introduction To Ritterwald
Today we were joined on our webinar by Dr. Ad Hereijgers from Ritterwald to discuss what their label means for the future of the SRS.
Topics: ESG SRS for Social Housing Housing
4 min read
How Can Convene Improve Your Housing Governance?
Convene is the leading Board Portal provider to the Housing Sector. Read on to find out why.
