How We’re Tackling our Business Carbon Footprint

We’ve pledged to be a net zero organisation by 2028 – that’s 22 years ahead of UK and Welsh government targets – and we’ll achieve this by tackling our own Business Carbon Footprint (BCF). 

Andrew Martyr-Icke, WPD Environment Team Manager, said: “Our customers can’t get to net zero without WPD – but they also want to see us lead by example by tackling our own Business Carbon Footprint.

“If we solve the climate emergency and enable our children and grandchildren to live in a world that is not ruined by the impacts of climate change, that will be – for many people across the UK - because staff at WPD did what they needed to do by standing up to the challenge and making net zero happen.”

More than half of our company’s carbon emissions – 57% - come from fuel consumed by its vehicles and generators. By switching to electric vehicles (EVs) and phasing out diesel generators, we can make significant steps towards its net zero target.

In fact, we have pledged to replace at least 89% of its existing operational vehicle fleet with EVs by 2028, installing EV charging at all operational sites as well as reducing business travel by encouraging more remote working and virtual meetings.

As part of our commitment to a sustainable energy future, we are also looking to limit the impact of our activities on the environment, by dealing promptly with leaks from equipment and achieving a 10% net gain in biodiversity for new major projects and larger substation sites by considering ways of introducing and maintaining flora and fauna on site.

We’ll continue to focus on reducing building energy use, too. We’ve consistently outperformed our 5% reduction targets during RIIO-ED1, achieving an annual reduction each year. This has been done through a range of measures, including greater employee awareness of energy savings, the installation of motion sensors for lighting, upgraded air conditioning systems and higher energy efficiency ratings in new and refurbished depots. 

The company’s supply chain is being similarly scrutinised. WPD is ensuring it procures all supplies from the most sustainable sources, as well as ensuring environmentally friendly methods to use and dispose of them.

WPD is also working hard to enable customers to achieve their own net zero ambitions by preparing the network to connect thousands of low carbon technologies, like electric vehicle chargers, solar panels and heat pumps. The company predicts that by 2028, an additional 1.5 million electric vehicles will be on the road in its region, while 600,000 heat pumps will be installed.

WPD’s RIIO-ED2 Environmental Action Plan (EAP) sets out its ambitions to meet net zero expectations, reduce environmental impact and allow everyone to benefit from a smart and sustainable future.

Find out more about our ambitious Business Plan commitments here.