1. Introduction
The Earth’s climate is in danger. Global climate change is already impacting communities around the world and is directly linked with society’s emissions of greenhouse gases.
Our carbon policy addresses the challenge to reduce carbon emissions. As part of our role to protect and enhance the environment, we are committed to reducing carbon.
We recognise the critical importance of reducing our impact on the climate. Our water and wastewater services are affected by the climate change impacts of extreme droughts, floods, temperatures, and sea level rise.
A low carbon future will prevent the worst effects of climate impact. We understand that by integrating carbon footprints into our decision-making process, we can ensure a more sustainable, low carbon future.
We will collaborate with our partners, customers, stakeholders and the wider water sector in order to advance carbon, and other greenhouse gases, emission reduction.
2. What we are doing:
- Aligning our plans with the government’s 2050 net zero target, including an interim target of a 35% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 based on a 2022 baseline year.
- Generating renewable power with a goal to increase our capacity.
- Reporting our emissions using the water industry standard workbook after external verification.
- Expanding our carbon accounting processes to measure the impact of our capital delivery programme.
- Assessing the natural capital of our estate to optimise the environmental benefit. This includes supporting increased carbon storage on our land.
- Actively supporting collaborative research, development and innovation with the water sector.
- Engaging with our customers to understand their environmental priorities.
3. What we will do:
- Aim to deliver net zero carbon by 2050 while keeping bills affordable and continuing to protect the most vulnerable.
- Adapt our capital programme decision making to incorporate sustainable low carbon and nature-based opportunities.
- Drive significant carbon reduction with our construction delivery partners and throughout the supply chain.
- Ensure our measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions continue to meet the latest industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Build our expertise in the skills needed to reduce our carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.
- Engage with customers, stakeholders, and partners to maximise opportunities to reduce carbon and increase societal benefit.
- Follow the net zero hierarchy: Reduce and avoid emissions through efficiency savings; Replace – use alternative solutions that are lower carbon; Remove – emissions though sequestration; Consider the offset of any residual emissions through the use of responsible carbon offsetting.