Global Water Utilities Could Cut GHG Emissions by 50%, At Low to No Cost
November 04 2021 - 9:51AM
Business Wire
New Paper Outlines Steps to Accelerate Sector’s
Progress Toward Zero-Carbon Future
Global water utilities account for approximately 2% of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – the equivalent of the world’s
shipping industry. And this figure is set to spiral as utilities
work towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of universal
access to water and sanitation by 2030. But water utilities could
cut their emissions dramatically and quickly, according to a new
paper from global water technology company, Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL).
The paper outlines the sector’s opportunity to reduce emissions
quickly and affordably, with current, high-efficiency
technologies.
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Global water utilities could cut GHG
emissions by 50%, at low to no cost. (Photo: Business Wire)
‘Water Utilities: Moving Fast Toward A Zero-Carbon Future’ forms
part of Xylem’s contribution to COP26, where the Company is joining
water industry leaders and policy influencers to advance
sustainable water management practices.
“Water operators have long been stewards of such an essential
resource. Water infrastructure is a cornerstone of every community
and local economy around the world,” said Patrick Decker, Xylem’s
President and CEO. “But today’s water systems are also major
sources of global GHG emissions – which is why a growing number of
utility operators are showing leadership by committing to
’net-zero‘ emissions targets.”
“Readily available technologies are an important and affordable
part of the roadmap in utilities’ ‘race to zero,’” continued
Decker. “Combined with changes in process, policy and practice,
these solutions can get utilities well on their way to net-zero
emissions.”
Xylem’s initial study of wastewater infrastructure, Powering the
Wastewater Renaissance, found that 50% of electricity-related
emissions from the wastewater sector can be abated with existing
technologies, such as intelligent wastewater pumping systems,
adaptive mixers with variable speed drives, and real-time decision
support systems. ~95% of this impact is achievable at zero or
negative cost1. Likewise, in clean water, further analysis by
Xylem indicates that readily deployable high-efficiency
technologies such as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) also
have a material impact on emissions.
In the UK alone, utilities could save up to 10 million tons of
greenhouse gas by reaching net zero in 2030.2
The paper emphasizes that deploying available high-efficiency
technologies is one of several key steps leading utilities are
taking as part of their wider strategies to reduce emissions:
1. Make firm commitments to reduce emissions by joining
the water sector’s Race to Zero. Led by the UN’s High-Level
Climate Champions for Climate Action, the Race to Zero is a global
initiative, rallying companies, cities, and regions to take
immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a
healthier, fairer zero carbon world in time.
2. Deploy affordable, high-efficiency technologies to make
meaningful, early progress. For example, intelligent wastewater
pumping systems can cut energy use by up to 70% in wastewater
pumping by reducing inefficiencies and emergency call-outs
associated with clogging. On the clean water side, leak detection
technologies can eliminate real water losses, saving energy
consumed in the treatment and transport or water.
3. Define the supporting processes, policies and practices to
get all the way to net zero. Water UK’s Net Zero 2030 Routemap
details the broad range of approaches that are required to deliver
on this commitment and provides specific actions to create
accountability, reduce the costs and risks of the transition to net
zero, and to unlock new benefits.
“There’s an opportunity for our sector to make a huge
difference, starting now,” continued Decker. “The foundations of
success are available, today: affordable technology, experience,
funding, collaboration and, increasingly, regulatory incentives.
Water utilities can win the race to zero while delivering the
essential services on which their communities’ health and
prosperity depend.”
About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company
committed to solving critical water and infrastructure challenges
with innovation. Our more than 16,000 diverse employees delivered
revenue of $4.88 billion in 2020. We are creating a more
sustainable world by enabling our customers to optimize water and
resource management, and helping communities in more than 150
countries become water-secure. Join us at www.xylem.com.
1 Xylem: Powering the Wastewater Renaissance
2 Water UK: Net Zero 2030 Routemap
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Media Houston Spencer +1 (914) 240-3046
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