Reducing Emissions

REDUCING
EMISSIONS

LET’S GET STARTED

THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE ROUTE
TO GET TO NET ZERO EMISSIONS

In the pages below you can see the steps we plan
to take to reduce our emissions across 5 areas:

ELECTRICITY

PROCESS EMISSIONS

GAS

TRANSPORT
AND TRAVEL

INVESTMENT

THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE ROUTE TO GET TO NET ZERO EMISSIONS

In the pages below you can see the
steps we plan to take to reduce
our emissions across 5 areas:

ELECTRICITY

PROCESS
EMISSIONS

GAS

TRANSPORT &
TRAVEL

INVEST

We are committed to getting to net zero emissions whilst delivering excellent service and great value to our customers.

These commitments are based on what we know today and can, when added together, deliver our ambition of net zero emissions by 2040.

We will use the best scientific evidence to inform our actions. Where needed we will work with academic and research organisations to build understanding.

It is not just about getting to net zero emissions, it’s also about getting there in the most efficient way possible.

We will:

• understand, assess and prioritise options to reduce our emissions

• look to pilot and demonstrate the emissions impact

• implement at scale; and then

• sustain the activity where shown to deliver benefits.

BECOME MORE
ENERGY EFFICIENT

Our aim is to reduce the amount of energy we consume to deliver our vital water and wastewater services.

In the last 5 years we have delivered 19 GWh per annum of energy efficiency and will look to deliver a further 20% improvement.

ENERGY EFFICIENT PROJECTS

Installation of a real time control system at our largest wastewater treatment works at Shieldhall has reduced energy consumption by 15% per annum, reducing emissions as well as delivering savings.

USE LOWER CARBON
ENERGY PRODUCTS

Our aim is to operate all of our assets using renewable power.

This may be through renewable generation on our sites and in our processes, or through others operated on our behalf.

STORNOWAY WASTE WATER
TREATMENT WORKS WINDFARM
AND GLENCORSE WATER TREATMENT
WORKS HYDRO TURBINE

Stornoway is 36% self-sufficient in renewable energy from 15 wind turbines on site; Glencorse is 91% self-sufficient in renewable energy from turbines on the incoming raw water.

NIGG WASTE WATER
TREATMENT WORKS ENERGY
FROM SLUDGE

now 52% self-sufficient
following investment on site.

Our gas consumption is dominated by the thermal drying and processing of wastewater sludge.

We aim to transform the technology we use, and use this resource as a source of renewable energy.

We have started to transform our 1600 strong fleet from fossil fuels to zero emission vehicles.

We plan to accelerate as vehicle technology develops.

POOL CAR
ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLEET

We have recently changed all our pool
car fleet to electric vehicles and have
charge points located across our office locations.

EMBRACING LOW
CARBON CONSTRUCTION

WATER TREATMENT UNITS

Through improving the design of these, our supply chain partners have reduced the amount of steel and cladding used by 30%, reducing emissions by 50 tonnes per unit.

Our aim is to reduce the carbon intensity of our investment.

We will do this by selecting low carbon options, designing and building net zero assets.

STORING AWAY EMISSIONS
THAT CANNOT BE AVOIDED

We know that we will not be able to reduce all our emissions to zero and will need to store away those which we cannot reduce.

To do this we will improve peatlands in our water catchments, and increase tree planting on all of the land that we own.

PEATLAND RESTORATION

Restoring peatland helps lock up carbon but also delivers wider benefits for drinking water quality and biodiversity.

To do this we will improve peatlands in our water catchments, and increase tree planting on all of the land that we own.

PROCESS EMISSIONS

Treating wastewater produces emissions
that cannot be avoided with current technology.
We will look to store carbon to offset these emissions.

ENABLERS

Throughout this routemap we will be highlighting specific activities in key areas that will enable us to make progress and external factors that will support us. On our journey to net zero there are some key enabling activities that we will be focusing on.

PEOPLE

The delivery of this routemap is underpinned by a strong foundation of our people and the people in our supply chain. All of our activities drive emissions and we all need to grow new capabilities and change our behaviours to deliver net zero emissions. We plan to work with schools, colleges and universities to develop the workforce of the future and with our supply chain partners to ensure their people have the skills needed to deliver net zero emissions.

CUSTOMERS AND COMMUNITIES

Customers and communities can help us to achieve net zero emissions through their use of our services. We want to work with them in three areas. We will be continuing our activities to reduce leakage and want to engage them on leakage within their property boundary, the amount of water they consume and the correct disposal of wet wipes, fats, oils and greases.

PROCUREMENT

Through our operational and investment activities, we purchase over six hundred million pounds of goods and services annually. We plan that all our contracts will be incentivised to reduce emissions and encourage the development of low/zero emissions goods and services.

GOVERNANCE

We are fundamentally changing how we appraise projects to include emissions and wider benefits to customers and communities.

POLICY AND REGULATION

We will work with the Scottish Government and stakeholders to ensure that the regulatory framework facilitates and supports emissions reduction and the progress of SEPA’s sector plans. This will cover a broad range of activity from environmental regulation, to the co-digestion of wastes, building regulations that will deliver more water efficient homes and urban planning to support surface water removal.

INNOVATION

Research, development and adoption of new technologies are going to be key to us achieving net zero emissions. We are funding a Hydro Nation Chair to develop the research capability we need here in Scotland. To help us identify and source new technologies we will appoint a technology scouting partner and will use our unique Technology Development Centres to support the field trials of emerging technologies to allow us to rapidly assess and embrace them.

STRATEGIC INNOVATION FOCUS AREAS

LOW ENERGY WATER
AND WASTEWATER
TREATMENT,
AMMONIA AND
METHANE RECOVERY

The development and deployment of innovative treatment processes are key to reducing energy consumption and reducing process emissions.

DIGITAL AND
ANALYTIC TOOLS

This is an area of technology that is rapidly changing that will enable emissions reduction across all our activities.

MATERIALS
RESEARCH

The development of low/zero emission materials for use in investment and operations are key to reducing our emissions.

WATER FOR
HYDROGEN
PRODUCTION

Scotland’s water resources will be different in a climate change future. We need to understand how we might recover wastewater final effluent and surface drainage water to support hydrogen production, ensuring the availability of fresh water for drinking and other uses.

HOW WE WILL MONITOR AND REVIEW OUR PROGRESS

To show progress towards net zero emissions we will review and measure our progress against our routemap. We are committed to open and transparent reporting of our performance and the lessons we have learnt on the way.

Annually, we will report on our operational and investment emissions and will track their progress to net zero.

We will focus on showing our progress in our four key areas of:

BECOMING MORE
ENERGY EFFICIENT

USING LOWER-CARBON ENERGY PRODUCTS

EMBRACING LOW CARBON CONSTRUCTION

STORING AWAY EMISSIONS THAT CANNOT BE AVOIDED

We will also report on our net zero and climate change adaptation measures in line with Scotland’s Public Body Reporting Requirements.

As we have developed this routemap we have been supported by an expert advisory panel who have helped significantly to test and shape our thinking.

The panel will continue to support us and review our progress, challenge our assumptions and provide support as we update our plans.

We will also work with stakeholders to demonstrate to our customers and communities that their money is being invested efficiently in delivering net zero emissions.

INTRODUCTION