What the water industry is doing to mitigate climate change
The water industry is energy intensive and consumes about 2% of total energy used in the UK. Most of this is to pump water and wastewater and to run treatment plants that ensure our water meets strict environmental and health quality standards. The water industry works with government, regulators and stakeholders to strike a balance between achieving these quality standards and reducing energy consumption to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This is a major challenge the industry is facing.
The industry is responsible for approximately four million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent) every year. That’s less than 1% of total UK emissions but is rising gradually year on year. On the one hand we’re getting more efficient at abstracting, treating and supplying water and wastewater services and on the other hand population and consumption growth, along with more stringent standards, are driving energy use up.
The industry is working on ways to improve how we measure our carbon footprint; this needs to be consistent across the industry. All companies are producing or implementing carbon management plans that will take this into consideration.
In addition, the industry:
• Was one of the first to report its energy use and greenhouse gas emissions on a sector basis
• Uses renewable energy for about 14% of its energy needs, around half of which is generated on-site
• Is committed to energy generation and recovery systems in wastewater treatment and increasing the recycling of biosolids to land
• Has undertaken a range of energy efficiency projects and benchmarking studies of energy use
• Is implementing and exploring the potential for more sustainable water and wastewater treatment solutions
• Promotes the more efficient use of water through a range of activities including the setting up of Waterwise, a water conservation body
• Through Water UK, is a member of the Water Saving Group, chaired by the Environment Minister
• Is working to ensure that new European legislation relating to environmental and water quality takes into account potential impacts on energy use and carbon emissions
• Is working to ensure that the full price of carbon is factored into all aspects of water industry business planning in a consistent way
