The next step

To the EA's plan

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Big names strive for 2030 carbon target

The EA is on track

The Chair of the Environment Agency (EA) has announced that to achieve its target it will need to reduce its absolute carbon footprint by 45% over the next decade and offset the residual 55% of its emissions (see The next step ). By aiming for net zero emissions by 2030 the EA is striving for a target set nationally by the government, except that it will be doing it two decades early.

The EA says it expects to produce 44,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2019, reaching its 2020 emissions reduction target ahead of time.

The plan

The EA says that by achieving net zero emissions by 2030 it will have a chance of reaching “absolute zero” carbon emissions by 2050. But in aiming for that higher standard it recognises that it will need to make fundamental changes to the way it operates. “Absolute zero” means zero carbon dioxide emitted in all activities without purchasing carbon offsets. This will include carbon dioxide produced during the manufacture, transport and construction of building materials, such as those used in the construction of flood defences.

Supply chain

Key contributors to its emissions are its suppliers, contractors and physical infrastructure which is installed to prevent floods. Addressing this will be especially challenging for the EA and its business partners.

Tip. The EA’s target illustrates the changes which will affect supply chains for government bodies, as they aim to reduce their carbon footprint. If you’re a supplier, it’s time to get to grips with your carbon budget, i.e. understand your current footprint and identify how you can improve it. Having a plan will become an important part of winning large tenders.

Survey

As a way of tracking climate attitudes among sectors such as retail, education, construction and transport, a recent survey of 502 businesses was carried out by YouGov.

When asked “Is your business planning to be net carbon neutral?” , 46% said that their organisation was planning to become carbon neutral by 2030. 5% were hoping to achieve it in the coming year, while most of the others were targeting a timescale of the next two to five years.

8% claimed that carbon neutrality has already been achieved by their business. Note. Most of those claiming such early accomplishment would have purchased carbon offsets to achieve it.

Warning

In reality many larger businesses are talking green but are not putting resources into achieving carbon reduction. A recent sustainability report by independent climate campaign group EcoAct showed that of the FTSE100 companies, only 15 had an emissions reduction strategy in place which would achieve net zero by 2050.

For a link to the EA’s plan, visit http://tipsandadvice-environment.co.uk/download (EN 14.06.05).