- Impacts of climate change on water cycle (hotter, drier summers; wetter, stormier winters)
- Increased customer demand for water during hot dry spells
- Greater risk of deteriorations in water quality
- Greater potential for both low flow, as well as flooding and sewer overflows
- Unintentional releases of polluting matter from the network ('pollutions')
- Sewage escaping before proper treatment
- Sewers being overwhelmed during heavy rainfall
- Customers putting wrong things down the toilet/sink, blocking sewers
- Addressing Scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions from value chain)
- Emissions from biogas production facilities
Severn Trent Plc
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2020-2021 reporting, Severn Trent Plc disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 164kt CO2e/year (Scope 1). By scope: Scope 1: 164kt CO2e/year; Scope 2: 183kt CO2e/year (location basis). Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
164kt CO2e/year (Scope 1)
2020-2021
Renewable Energy
53% of Severn Trent Water’s electricity use
of total energy
Waste
87.0K tonnes/year (excavated highway waste)
2020-2021
📊 Emissions by Scope (2020-2021)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the company owns or controls (fuel combustion, company vehicles, process and fugitive emissions). | 164kt CO2e/year |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 183kt CO2e/year (location basis) |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Scope 1 and 2 operational emissions by 84% since 2007
- Grown renewable energy generation from 100 GWh to over 500 GWh since 2007
- Reduced total pollutions by over 50% and serious pollutions by over 90% since 2011
- Improved the biodiversity of 244 hectares of land between 2015 and 2020
- Improved the biodiversity of 2,632 hectares in 2020/21
- Diverted 87% of audited waste from landfill
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Reduce per capita consumption by a further 3.5% by 2025
- Reduce leakage by 15% by 2025 (Severn Trent), 12.4% by end of 2025 (HD)
- Halve the number of pollutions over the next five years
- Improve the biodiversity of 5,000 hectares of land by 2027
- Work with over two thirds of all farmers in the region by the end of 2025
📅 Medium-term
- Reduce leakage by 50% by 2045 (Severn Trent)
- Reduce per capita consumption to 118 l/h/d by 2045
- Achieve net zero operational carbon by 2030
- 100% renewable energy by 2030
- 100% electric vehicles by 2030
🔭 Long-term
- Zero pollutions
- Zero avoidable waste by 2050
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
Climate ChangeBiodiversity LossWater Resource ManagementCircular Economy