Water sector to produce blueprint for 2030 net-zero goal

A plan for achieving net-zero carbon emissions across the water sector by 2030 will be published next year.

Trade body Water UK has committed to releasing an initial report in March with a more detailed blueprint to follow in the summer. Both of these documents will be released in collaboration with Ricardo and Mott MacDonald.

Following the release of the plan, progress will be assessed annually with key milestones reported publicly.

The goal, which is one of the water industry’s five Public Interest Commitments (PIC), makes water the first industrial sector in the UK to commit to a carbon zero goal by the end of the next decade.

It is currently the fourth most energy intensive industry in the country – contributing around five million tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions each year.

Among the actions already promised, the industry will plant 11 million trees across the country over the next decade. It has also led on a national shift away from bottled water towards free refill stations.

Peter Simpson, chief executive of Anglian Water and one of the sponsors of the project on behalf of the sector, said: “This is an important first step on the sector’s journey to be net carbon zero by 2030. Climate change is an existential threat to our environment, and way of life. Business as usual is simply not an option.

“This vital project will help us find the technologies and processes we will need to help us become carbon zero. We’ve made great strides in recent years reducing both operational and embedded carbon, but we don’t have all the answers. So, bringing in outside expertise to help us reach this target is essential.

“The water industry is committed to playing a leading role in decarbonising our economy and while achieving net zero carbon for the sector by 2030 is an extremely challenging task there is huge conviction, enthusiasm and passion from across the sector to ensure we achieve it.”

Simpson and Northumbrian Water chief executive, Heidi Mottram, spoke to Utility Week about the net-zero commitment as part of our H3O series, talking about the need to set up centres of excellence to share the knowledge gained with other industries.

Ian Behling, project director from Ricardo for the net zero strategy, said: “We’re proud to be working on this project, and both Ricardo and Mott MacDonald are able to bring a wealth of experience and technical understanding that will support the UK water industry in creating a robust and effective net zero strategy.

“This important investment not only sets the direction of the UK’s water industry, but will also influence other sectors, given the important role the water companies will play in supporting the UK’s 2050 net zero ambition.”

Maria Manidaki, water sector carbon management lead from Mott MacDonald said: “We are delighted to be helping the water industry transition to net zero by 2030. Achieving net zero will require fundamental changes to the way we think of water infrastructure systems and their interaction with customers, other infrastructure sectors, the environment and the wider society and economy.

“Leadership, collaboration and fresh thinking will be paramount to achieving a net zero transformation and both Ricardo and Mott MacDonald are ready to drive this change with Water UK.”