The water industry has announced plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
In order to achieve this, two international consultancy groups, Ricardo and Mott Macdonald, will set out how this can be achieved.
Water UK, who represent more than 25 water and wastewater companies, will host a water industry event later today (March 5) where the two consultants will present their analysis and set out options for companies to consider as they develop their future plans.
The industry has said they intend to share their learnings to help other major energy-using industries to deliver their own plans.
The options will include, reducing emissions caused by the wastewater treatment processes, putting in place new systems to manage energy efficiency, increasing self-generated renewables such as solar energy, purchasing green energy, providing biogas to the grid so other industries can access low carbon energy, and moving to electric construction equipment and electric vehicles.
The companies progress will be independently assessed each year, with the assessments reported publically.
The chief executive of Water UK, Christine McGourty said: ‘The water industry has made an ambitious pledge to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030.
‘It’s a big challenge, but water companies are committed to protecting and enhancing the environment and intend to be part of the solution to the climate crisis.
‘This new analysis setting out climate-friendly options is an important step forward.’
Ian Behling from the Ricardo Mott MacDonald project team, said: ‘The work we’ve done so far in developing the route map has highlighted the ambition shown by companies and the scale of the challenge to deliver against the commitment.
‘It has also further highlighted the need for collaboration within and beyond the water sector to help deliver the innovation and change needed to meet the net-zero challenge.’
In related news, in 2019 water companies in England announced plans to plant 11 million trees to improve the natural environment and support the industry’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030.
Photo Credit – Pixabay