United Utilities (UU) manages and operates the regulated electricity distribution, water and wastewater networks in North West England for more than 7 million people. It recognises the significant challenges that climate change poses and has placed carbon at the heart of its strategy and is lobbying the regulator to support this position.
UU has systemised carbon within its business model and, rather than have a separate carbon initiative, is seeking to integrate carbon into ‘traditional’ business activities. It has calculated greenhouse gas emissions for the past seven years, and activity has been driven by the industry’s first fully dedicated carbon manager. The company has created a network of 20 carbon champions across the business who understand the priorities in their own business units so can tailor specific climate change messages to their teams.
To ensure the delivery of reduction targets, UU invested significantly in combined heat and power (CHP) projects to increase coverage by 80%, and is also working with its suppliers to measure and manage their carbon emissions.
In addition to its internal activities, UU is working across the industry to promote best practice and develop agreed accounting mechanisms. It has promoted the water-related climate change agenda to a diverse range of audiences including the investor community at the Carbon Disclosure Project and SME’s through the North West Development Agency. Using its knowledge of the Utility sector, UU is also looking further to the future; undertaking research into what utility service provision might look like in 2050.
