Businesses, government and the public need to create and design a different Britain if we are to cut carbon and survive the future challenges of climate change, population growth and more extreme weather.
That is according to Liv Garfield, chief executive of Severn Trent, speaking at a CBI conference on achieving net-zero today (14 September), in which she discussed the company’s work towards its own 2030 goal.
Garfield said that after setting a target as an organisation it was important to take the whole company on the journey, which requires innovation, cultural passion, investment and commitment.
Severn Trent will spend £1.2 billion on environmental projects in the next five to seven years, which Garfield said would include upfront capital investment that will bring savings over time. Work required will include electrifying Severn Trent’s fleet of 3,000 company vehicles and implementing nature-based solutions to enhance waterways and environment.
“We as a company can’t operate without the environment – it is our supply chain. We need the water to arrive, we need to look after it, we need to serve it. Using nature rather than fighting against nature sometimes is upfront investment that will absolutely pay back economically for the long-term for the company and for our customers.”
The water sector has committed to reaching carbon net zero by 2030 as one of five Public Interest Commitments (PIC). To achieve this, Water UK will publish a strategy road map later this month.
This, Garfield said, also applies to infrastructure projects, especially where the natural environment can assist, citing sustainable drainage in urban areas as an example.
In July, regulators from the sector wrote in an open letter that water companies should incorporate more nature-based solutions in business plans to play a part in the green recovery.
Garfield is part of the Council for Sustainable Business – a group of 15 companies focused on sustainability in business and the role of the business community in the government’s 25-year environment plan.
Find out more about the utilities sector’s plans to Build Back Better in our dedicated series, culminating in the Build Back Better Forum on 20-21 October