In an industry first, Severn Trent has been recognised by global climate change consultancy, the Carbon Trust for its work to reduce its carbon impact.

Photo: Minworth Sewage Treatment Works

Severn Trent has received the Advancing level certificate from the Carbon Trust, a part of its Route to Net Zero Standard.

The second of three tiers, the Advancing certification is awarded to companies that demonstrate science-aligned reductions in operational emissions, have clear science-aligned reduction targets, and are advancing their CO2e management practices.

Based in the UK, the Carbon Trust has been pioneering decarbonisation for more than 20 years for businesses, governments, and organisations around the world.

Companies certified to the Route to Net Zero Standard include multinational Virgin Media O2, global conglomerate Siemens, and accounting firm PwC.

Nicky Conway, Senior Sustainability Manager at Severn Trent, said:

“Addressing climate change is critical to the future success of our business and we are committed to achieving net zero and overcoming the challenges that climate change brings.

“This is why we have committed that by 2030, 100% of our energy will come from renewable sources, we’ll have moved to an electric fleet and will have achieved net zero operational carbon emissions.

“There’s a lot more that we can still do and this is just one part of our journey, but certification from the Carbon Trust is a demonstration that we’re moving in the right direction.”

As part of its work to reduce its emissions, Severn Trent is testing a range of technologies to reduce its process emissions at its Net Zero Hub in Strongford.

The hub – which is being developed in partnership with Australia’s Melbourne Water and Aarhus Van from the Netherlands, trials innovative technologies that can help to make the wastewater treatment process as environmentally friendly as possible.