South East Water’s Routemap to net zero

Having already reduced its carbon emissions by 38 per cent, South East Water today (30 July) says it is not to stopping there by pledging to achieve net zero carbon across all operations by 2030.

The company, which supplies drinking water to 2.2 million customers across parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, has published its routemap detailing how it is making significant shifts in its operations to meet this ambitious target by its nine year deadline.

This routemap follows the forward thinking promise the company has already made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of its business plan and responsible business strategy through to 2025 and this is a new commitment to go further.

It will be calling on the help of local communities in its supply area, along with energy experts, key stakeholders, partners and suppliers with the support a crucial part of the routemap.

Key routemap targets include:

• increasing energy efficiency
• working with customers to help them use water wisely
• investing in nature-based solutions
• using renewable sources
• avoiding direct emissions

The company has already started the process by switching to green energy, testing electric vehicles to see what works, undertaken assessment of alternatives to its current process emissions and begun consultation with its working partners to reach net zero together.

David Hinton, South East Water Chief Executive Officer, said: “Climate change is one of society’s greatest challenges and it’s something that we’re acutely aware of. Protecting the environment that we work in and abstract water from is a value that is embedded into the heart of our day-to-day operations.

“Maintaining the status-quo will only make the future challenges greater for the environment and for our customers. We are committed to reducing our operational carbon emissions, but we know that this cannot be achieved overnight or alone.

“We’re proud to be sharing our plans today and hope this routemap, together with the development of our 25 year environment plan, encourages ongoing dialogue with our community so we can work together to achieve the ambition of a flourishing environment for the future.”

To view the routemap and give feedback on it, visit corporate.southeastwater.co.uk/routemap