The strategy for 2020-2023, which includes a foreword from Keep Scotland Beautiful, outlines five strategic objectives: reduce waste, energy consumption and harmful emissions, improve and enhance the environment of WSHA communities, reduce its carbon footprint and ensure that properties are resilient to the potential impact of climate change, improve the health and wellbeing of WSHA staff and communities and work with partners who are environmentally aligned with WSHA and are committed to delivering ‘green’ benefits to the association’s assets, customers and communities.

Brian Gannon, chief executive of WSHA, said: “The world is at a critical point in the fight against climate change. As an organisation and as individuals we have a moral obligation now, more than ever, to reduce our impact on the environment. Our first Green Strategy demonstrates our commitment to reducing our impact on climate change through embedding a green impact assessment approach to every aspect of our business.”

Barry Fisher, chief executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “It has never been more important to care for and protect our environment. The damaging effects of our neglect are becoming more apparent as we see increasing litter levels and witness the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. So, we are delighted to be working with West of Scotland Housing Association as it supports its organisation and the people living in its communities to understand the challenges ahead and to become empowered to take positive action for the future.”