World Environment Day Update

05 June 2026

Michael Davey, Group Head of Sustainability, OSB Group, comments on World Environment Day:

“Housing decarbonisation cannot happen without landlords, but landlords need clarity and support to deliver it.

World Environment Day is a reminder that reducing the environmental impact of housing is no longer a future challenge – it is one of the biggest climate opportunities in front of us today.

The private rented sector has a major role to play because improving the energy efficiency of homes is one of the few areas where environmental goals, lower household bills and long-term housing quality all align.

Landlords are not starting from scratch. Our annual Landlord Leaders research shows 70% had already upgraded properties to EPC band C before the latest requirements were confirmed, despite 97% experiencing rising operating costs across the private rented sector. This demonstrates there is willingness to invest, but delivering change at scale requires clarity, confidence and realistic pathways to implementation.”

EPC C should not simply be viewed as a compliance target. More energy-efficient homes are typically cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in and better positioned for the future. The challenge now is making sure landlords have the certainty, information and support needed to keep moving forward because improving housing stock is essential not only for the sector itself, but for wider environmental progress too.”