Carbon Reduction Award
Judges in this category noted a division of submissions into two types. In the first camp were projects focused on discretionary efforts by companies to cut their own carbon emissions, meaning they were much more limited in scope and impact but had more tangible and verifiable benefits.
In the second camp were initiatives to facilitate the wider decarbonisation of their sector, meaning the potential benefits were much larger but also more nebulous, harder to verify, and reliant on the actions of other parties, who should take at least some of the credit for success.
There was debate over how these different types of projects should be weighed against each other. Judges said they couldn’t ignore the size of the carbon reductions achieved by the latter group given the nature of the award in question.
But they were also impressed by projects in the first, the best of which had delivered a series of “nitty gritty” gains that had been passed over by others. In doing so, they had fostered a culture of steady, incremental improvement, which could have a greater cumulative impact when applied to other problems in the future.
Carbon Reduction Award
Judges in this category noted a division of submissions into two types. In the first camp were projects focused on discretionary efforts by companies to cut their own carbon emissions, meaning they were much more limited in scope and impact but had more tangible and verifiable benefits.
In the second camp were initiatives to facilitate the wider decarbonisation of their sector, meaning the potential benefits were much larger but also more nebulous, harder to verify, and reliant on the actions of other parties, who should take at least some of the credit for success.
There was debate over how these different types of projects should be weighed against each other. Judges said they couldn’t ignore the size of the carbon reductions achieved by the latter group given the nature of the award in question.
But they were also impressed by projects in the first, the best of which had delivered a series of “nitty gritty” gains that had been passed over by others. In doing so, they had fostered a culture of steady, incremental improvement, which could have a greater cumulative impact when applied to other problems in the future.
Business Stream - Achieving a 50% reduction in carbon footprint
Business Stream is one of the largest water retailers in the UK. As a responsible business we believe we have an important role to play in driving positive change for the environment and society.
Having launched our vision to make a positive difference to our people, our customers, the environment and our local communities, we wanted to invest in initiatives that would make a measurable difference.
Through our commitment to the environment, we’ve achieved a 50% reduction in our carbon footprint over a 12-month period and delivered initiatives designed to support our customers and suppliers to achieve their sustainability goals.
Caledonia Water Alliance - Carbon management initiative
Tackling climate change, while delivering safe, innovative, sustainable and cost-effective projects is implicit within Caledonia Water Alliance's (CWA) purpose. We’ve implemented an extensive carbon management programme to meet our, and our client, Scottish Water’s , net zero ambitions. We’re making substantial, long-term changes to the way we deliver projects and achieve our carbon targets by encouraging innovation, developing technology and changing our behaviour to create a net zero environment. The initiative also sets the future direction for our role in contributing to Scottish Water’s ambitions to achieve net zero by 2040 which, in turn, supports the Scottish government’s net zero 2045 commitment.
National Grid ESO - Pathfinders
To achieve its net zero commitment by 2050, the UK must connect significant volumes of renewable generation such as wind and solar. In parallel, there is a growing need for new network services to keep the grid running smoothly in a zero-carbon future.
The Electricity System Operator (ESO) has developed Pathfinders – a world-first programme that has awarded contracts worth more than £2 billion for new network services that are expected to save consumers tens of billions of pounds over the next decade and enable the transition to a cleaner network.
OVO - Power Move
In order to get to net zero we require a combination of technology powered energy flexibility and consumer behavior change.
Power Move is a market-first solution that’s better for our customers, their wallet and the planet. We’re rewarding our customers for taking the first step on their Path to Zero - by using electricity outside of peak times.
Harnessing smart meter data, Power Move is a proven engagement and education tool - unlocking the power of collective action and long term positive behavioural change.
Our proof-of-concept trial resulted in significant carbon reduction, significant energy bill savings and record customer engagement.
Scottish Water and WGMB - Circular economy MEICA strategy for utility assets
Scottish Water have ambitious targets to achieve beyond net zero emissions by 2040.
WGMB have worked to support Scottish Water in achieving these goals by adopting every opportunity to use low-emission design, low carbon materials, and promoting innovation.
WGMB, working with Scottish Water, identified an opportunity to use their innovative MEICA investment strategy as part of upgrade works at Shieldhall Wastewater Treatment Works.
Adopting the principles of a circular economy and through refurbishment rather than replacement of existing assets, this approach significantly reduced the carbon emissions associated with replacement of 6No. Storm Screens.
Severn Trent - Carbon reduction through energy efficient pumping, asset management and chemical reduction
Over the past 12 months our team has embarked on a pioneering journey, approaching carbon reduction from a unique perspective.
Rooted in innovation and ambition, our initiatives have yielded remarkable results in the pursuit of net zero targets and heightened sustainability.
Our focus on quick to implement opportunities brought great reductions in energy and chemicals usage and therefore in Carbon emissions too.
Since August 2022 we have identified and implemented 31 energy saving opportunities and 6 chemical reduction opportunities, which totalise to c. 1 million kWh, 95t of chemical and c. 330 tonnes of yearly reduction in CO2 emissions.
Yorkshire Water - Carbon reduction initiative
Yorkshire Water’s Commercial Services team has embarked on a journey to transform the way that carbon and broader sustainability is treated within commercial activity, and to align the objectives of procurement more closely with the net zero and wider sustainability objectives of the organisation.
Through implementation of new tools, processes, policies, and training, we have created an environment where carbon emissions are considered alongside cost as a key determinant of procurement planning, supplier selection and supplier management.
Following this transformation, carbon reduction sits alongside cost reduction as a key priority and considerations for the Yorkshire Water Commercial team.