BQ10 - How do we remove more carbon than we emit by 2050?
The areas that this Big Question covers include: Have a look at the route map – this is a plan as to how we will answer our Big Question through research. The route map has a number of key elements. At the top is our Big Question and then the Outcomes we need to achieve from the research programme -if we can achieve all these Outcomes we can answer the Big Question. You can also see the Key Benefits that will come from achieving the desired Outcomes.
Click on the Research Outcomes below to see the Projects that have been completed or are underway.
Scroll down further to see Case Studies explaining the impact of our research.
RESEARCH Outcomes
Energy & transport: decarbonisation through avoidance, efficiency and alternatives to fossil fuels View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits An evidence base to support system-wide decisions on water and wastewater Informing the most effective deployment of emerging technologies & methods |
Process emissions: minimised emissions through prevention, optimisation or capture View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits An ability to better select and control treatment processes in order to limit emissions More accurate measurement or estimation of emissions from specific processes |
Land use and carbon capture: carbon sequestration potential maximised View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Ability to maximise benefits of land-based measures Maximising carbon storage, and drawdown potential of biosolids Understanding sequestration rates of land cover; ability to alter land use based on carbon sequestration |
Investment, procurement: minimised emissions in materials, consumables, products & services; credible offsets View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Ability to make procurement and investment choices based on wholelife carbon Data on embodied carbon leading to consistent measurement, reporting & an industry baseline Knowledge of relative merits of offsetting options |
Customers: reduced emissions related to customer behaviour View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Ability to influence the carbon footprint of customers’ behaviour in relation to water and wastewater use Better use of the drivers of environmentally-friendly consumption |
Cross-cutting: low carbon, sustainable water cycle management View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits Consistent reporting More influence over the wider water cycle e.g. urban planning Quantified wholelife carbon impacts of regulation and investment choices; evidence for more environmentally optimal regulation |
See All Projects
Projects
| Over the last 15 years the water sector has been developing tools for different aspects of its carbon footprint. Through UKWIR the Carbon Accounting Workbook provides a consistent approach for annual operational emissions. Also focused on operational emissions, the Water UK Net Zero routemap programme will culminate in the provision tools for estimating carbon reductions of different options over a given period of time, and the cost per tonne of CO2 avoided.
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| Carbon accounting workbook update v15. Project Status - Project Completed To avoid inconsistent greenhouse gas emissions reporting we need a common method and accounting system. This is achieved through the carbon accounting workbook (CAW). The CAW requires annual updating - at the very least to incorporate revised emissions factors issued by BEIS. Previous updates have also included broadening the scope of items that are quantified, and improving functionality. |
RESEARCH IMPACT - CASE STUDIES |