Cutting carbon emissions: Water UK checklist
Water UK has published a new checklist for its member companies and others who are committed to reducing their carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.
The move coincides with proposals from the European Commission announced yesterday that the EU will reduce emissions by at least 20% and generate at least 20% of energy needs from renewable sources by 2020.Reduction targets
The water industry will aim to reduce carbon emissions in line with the targets set out in the draft Climate Change Bill
This means aiming to cut overall industry emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050 and by 26-32 per cent by 2020, against a 1990 baseline. Draft targets are to be confirmed by Government in conjunction with proposed Committee on Climate Change.
Renewable energy
The industry will also seek to ensure that at least 20% of all energy used by water companies comes from renewable sources by 2020.
In the year to April 2007 the industry reported that 13% of all energy used was from renewable sources. (Source: Water UK Sustainability Indicators).
Bruce Horton, Water UK Climate Change Adviser, said:
“The 10-Point Checklist is meant as an aide-memoire for water companies, but others may find it a useful starter for ten. Every sector is facing the demand for big cuts in carbon emissions and many, in common with water companies, will have to deliver growth and higher quality which normally would lead inexorably to higher energy use.”
“We very much hope that government, economic and quality regulators, other organisations and business sectors will make their own commitments and help the water industry acheive the cuts in emissions through their guidance and actions. Success will ultimately depend on cooperation between government, regulators, suppliers, customers and other stakeholders all along the supply chain.
“For water companies the main regulatory issues include: explicit consideration of energy use and emissions in treatment standards; allowance of renewable power generation within regulatory capital value where energy is generated for the company’s own use; and inclusion of the shadow price of carbon in business plans.”
