The suitability of the stock for the long term, given the implications of climate change and the need to meet the government's target of net zero carbon by 2050, is a key issue addressed by the asset management strategy.  The strategy seeks to improve the energy efficiency of the stock, as well as switching to low-carbon energy sources, while considering risk factors such as floods, heatwaves / overheating, water shortages and damp / mould.  In response to climate change, the strategy includes plans to introduce flood protection, improve cooling / ventilation and capture rainfall, making homes more comfortable for residents during hotter summers and more resilient to droughts.

Work has begun on identifying which assets should be retained and improved, which should be sold and which should be demolished.  This takes into account that demolition itself may result in environmental damage due to the release of embodied carbon, as well as affecting the social fabric of the neighbourhood, although it might be a better long-term solution in some circumstances.  The organisation has considered using a “whole-life carbon” approach, which may alter the balance in decisions about whether to retrofit existing buildings or to demolish and replace them with a new property.  It also requires the organisation and its contractors to be more proactive in  terms of its reuse of materials when buildings are demolished.  Where existing buildings have a significant heritage value, the organisation is seeking additional external funding to meet the costs of retrofitting. 

Energy efficiency works are integrated into asset management programmes so that the works can be delivered in the most cost effective way and with the least disruption to residents.  They are co-ordinated with regeneration programmes, with Warm Homes : Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) funding being used to help fund the demolition of homes for which retrofit would not be economic and replacing them with new homes built to high environmental standards, subject to the rules of the scheme being amended to allow this.