We are committed to reducing our contribution to climate change and have set a voluntary target of a 20 per cent reduction in emissions (compared to 1990 levels) by the end of the current five-year investment period [1] in 2015 for our scope 1 and scope 2 emissions [2].

In 2009/10, we continued to manage our emissions by being more efficient and by increasing the amount of renewable energy we generate. 

Our five-year plan for 2010 to 2015 sets out how we aim to reduce our emissions, in part through a range of carbon mitigation projects. For example, we intend to:

• Continue to become more energy efficient
• Increase our capacity to generate renewable energy, including new combined heat and power (CHP) plants, hydro schemes and wind power
• Continue to invest in low-carbon ways of working

Reporting our greenhouse gas emissions

We have reported our greenhouse gas emissions annually since 1997. 

In 2009/10, our gross operational greenhouse gas emissions were 757,218 TCO2e – a reduction of 94,328 TCO2e against 2008/09 emissions (when recalculated using the new methodology for direct comparison) [3].

Renewable electricity

We produce renewable energy at 22 of our sewage treatment works, which we then use on site.

At most of these sites, we use a process called 'combined heat and power' (CHP), which captures the methane produced during sewage treatment and uses it to power a generator. 

In 2009/10, our renewable electricity generation increased from 182 GWh to 187 GWh – the most we have ever produced in a single year. 

In addition, we produced 85 GWh of renewable heat energy.

Carbon Trust Standard

We have maintained our Carbon Trust Standard accreditation, which recognises ‘real and sustained emissions reductions’. 

The standard replaced the Trust's Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme (EEAS), which we had previously held for over ten years.

We were first awarded the Standard in June 2008, and in September 2010 successfully completed the Trust's re-accreditation process, demonstrating an absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 4.9 per cent compared to 2007/08 levels.

We are the first utility company to be re-accredited. 

[1] We have assumed for planning purposes that grid electricity intensity will decrease in line with the projections in the Government's Low Carbon Transition Plan in order to achieve this goal.

[2] Scope 1 emissions are those direct emissions associated with the operation of our business.  Scope 2 emissions are the indirect emissions associated with the consumption of grid electricity.

[3] In 2009/10, the water industry updated the methodology data used to calculate its greenhouse gas emissions, to ensure compatibility with the latest guidance from Defra.