Northumbrian sets out accelerated decarbonisation plan

Northumbrian Water last week outlined its plan to achieve net zero carbon by 2027 – three years ahead of the wider water sector target and 23 years ahead of the national target – and announced it has joined the UN’s Race to Zero campaign.

Emission Possible reported Northumbrian has already slashed its carbon emissions from 303,000 tonnes in 2008 to 56,000 tonnes, with initiatives including: being the first and still the only water company to use 100% of its sewage sludge to create energy; implementing two Gas to Grid plants; a ten-year offshore PPA to source 30% of its electricity demand from the Race bank offshore wind farm; and powering all of its 1,886 sites using renewable electricity.

minister for energy, clean growth and climate change, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, said: “As one of the UK’s leading water companies, Northumbrian Water are leading by example by rising to the challenge of decarbonising the water sector ahead of COP26. This pioneering plan not only supports the water industry’s sector-wide commitment to be Net Zero by 2030, but goes even further and faster, committing to eliminate its contribution to climate change by 2027.”

Race to Zero is part of the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change. Northumbrian Water joins 120 countries, 454 cities, 23 regions, 1,397 businesses, 74 of the world’s biggest investors and 569 universities, in the largest ever alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050 at the latest.