The Climate Change Committee had downgraded the water industry’s ability to reduce emissions in its first assessment of the new Government’s progress on reducing emissions.
Overall the independent statutory body found that government policies to reduce emissions have improved since last year. With more action, the CCC believes the UK can hit its legally binding climate targets, focussing attention on areas such as energy generation and housebuilding.
However, due to increased infrastructure plans, the CCC doesn’t think the water and wastewater industry will help with the emission reduction. It has downgraded the wastewater industry score for the 2030 NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution).
The report cites Ofwat’s predication that emissions will increase during PR24 (2025-2030). The report states:
“Ofwat’s 2024 price review (PR24) is the first price review to have common performance commitments for operational emissions. However, Ofwat expects the sector to increase operational emissions over the PR24 period to meet their statutory commitments (for example to reduce storm overflows). They expect the sector to limit this increase to less than 2%. PR24 includes an allowance to spend £467 million across 31 wastewater enhancement schemes through the Net Zero challenge fund. These projects include the use of membrane aerated biofilm reactor and digital twins.”
In its priority recommendations the CCC is asking the wastewater industry to enable improved monitoring of wastewater emissions and encourage investment in technology development and deployment to reduce emissions from wastewater.
The full report can be viewd here:
