South East Water has published its routemap detailing how it is making significant shifts in its operations to meet its target of achieving net zero carbon across all operations by 2030.
The company, which supplies drinking water to 2.2 million customers across parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, has already reduced its operational carbon emissions by 38 per cent between 2015 and 2020.
The routemap follows the pledge the company has already made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of its business plan and responsible business strategy through to 2025 and sets out a new commitment to go further.
South East Water’s commitment currently continues to focus on operational carbon only - however, the utility says it is “keen to address embedded carbon with closer monitoring and reporting” which will contribute towards its overall targeted reduction.
It will be calling on the help of local communities in its supply area, along with energy experts, key stakeholders, partners and suppliers with the support a crucial part of the routemap.
Key routemap targets include:
- increasing energy efficiency
- working with customers to help them use water wisely
- investing in nature-based solutions
- using renewable sources
- avoiding direct emissions
The company has already started the process by switching to green energy, testing electric vehicles to see what works, undertaken assessment of alternatives to its current process emissions and begun consultation with its working partners to reach net zero together.
In addition to switching its power contracts to being Renewable Energy Guarantees Origin (REGO) backed from April 2021, the company is also looking to procure commercial green Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by Autumn 2021 which will displace REGO backed energy as they come online.
South East Water is also looking at on-site renewable generation - a project is currently underway to initially assess onsite solar across 20 of its sites.
David Hinton, South East Water Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Climate change is one of society’s greatest challenges and it’s something that we’re acutely aware of. Protecting the environment that we work in and abstract water from is a value that is embedded into the heart of our day-to-day operations.
“Maintaining the status-quo will only make the future challenges greater for the environment and for our customers. We are committed to reducing our operational carbon emissions, but we know that this cannot be achieved overnight or alone.
“We’re proud to be sharing our plans and hope this routemap, together with the development of our 25 year environment plan, encourages ongoing dialogue with our community so we can work together to achieve the ambition of a flourishing environment for the future.”
Click here to download South East Water Routemap to Net Zero
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