Carbon emissions

We have reported our greenhouse gas emissions annually since 1997. 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.

We have used this new methodology for calculating our emissions for this report, and for our reporting to Ofwat. 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).

In 2009/10 our reported emissions for water and wastewater services provided to customers were 281 kgCO₂e per mega litre for water and 315 kg CO₂e per mega litre for wastewater.[1]

We have maintained our Carbon Trust's Standard accreditation, which recognises "real and sustained emissions reductions". The standard replaced the Carbon 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.

This value refers to the actual flow of water to our treatment works which more appropriately represents the volume of wastewater treated. The reported emission value based on measured water into supply was 421 kgCO₂e per mega litre. Both values were included in our June Return to Ofwat.

• ¹ This value refers to the actual flow of water to our treatment works which more appropriately represents the volume of wastewater treated. The reported emission value based on measured water into supply was 421 kgCO₂e per mega litre. Both values were included in our June Return to Ofwat.