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 |
| BQ10 - Nature based solutions and their greenhouse gas emissions. Project Status - Project Commenced Category - Overall Impacts There is growing support in the water sector for nature-based solutions (NBS) such as constructed wetlands, sustainable drainage systems and river restoration as opposed to the usual grey engineering solutions. They are often seen as a route for improving the water environment and increasing resilience in ways that are ostensibly more sustainable than traditional engineering solutions. Central to this are their greenhouse gas emissions credentials - this is often mentioned, but quantified evidence is not always available. Indeed, there is likely to be a spectrum of outcomes, e.g. a) NBSs sequestering greenhouse gases over their lifetime; b) NBSs being net emitters, but significantly less than conventional solutions; or c) NBSs net emissions being similar to conventional solutions. A gathered body of evidence on how to optimise the greenhouse gas emissions of NBS would therefore be timely and help with related decision-making and design. |
| BQ10 – WWTWs process emissions: optimisation of current processes. Project Status - Project Commenced Category - Overall Impacts The first phase of UKWIR’s research on process emissions from WWTWs suggested that they are currently underestimated, particularly in relation to nitrous oxide (N2O). Phase two is testing this through UK-based monitoring, and the accumulating evidence is that process emissions are likely the largest part of water sector operational emissions. We now need to gather evidence on the best methods for controlling nitrous oxide and methane emissions through modified operation of existing assets e.g. through real time monitoring and control, and repair and maintenance. |
| BQ10 - Supporting wholelife carbon reduction: practices, evidence base and data. Project Status - Project Completed Category - Overall Impacts There is growing scrutiny of our embodied / scope 3 emissions: the quantum, our management of them. Inclusion in upcoming business plans and for England and Wales, in annual reporting. A recent UKWIR project (ref: 22/CL/01/32 Calculating wholelife/ totex carbon) provided an appraisal of best / current practice, available tools, and guidance on their systematic use. This built on UKWIR’s 2012 project (ref: 12/CL/01/15 A framework for accounting for embodied carbon in water industry assets) which included production of a meta-database of sources of carbon emission factors available from Government, academia, institutions and trade associations, water companies and suppliers. We now need to update the 2012 work on construction carbon emission factors and pursue the areas for further research identified in the 2022 project. (ref: 12/CL/01/15 A framework for accounting for embodied carbon in water industry assets). |
| 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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| BQ10 –Greenhouse Gas estimation and reporting tools for 2024 (CAW v18). Project Status - Project Commenced Category - Overall Impacts The organisations in the water sector of UK and the island of Ireland require common GHG estimation and reporting tools that can be used for annual accounting (FY 2023-24) and to report against the Ofwat Operational Greenhouse Gas emissions common Performance Commitment during AMP8 (2025-30). Each year, companies within the UK water industry are required to report on their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to the industry Regulator. Companies also report on other aspects of their emissions to comply with other legalisation and regulations, such the Streamline Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) and climate related disclosures to keep stakeholders informed on emissions and transition plans. The emissions data also contributes to the net zero work that the sector is undertaking and progress of individual company emissions reduction commitments, pledges and targets. UKWIR has developed a standardised workbook for estimating operational GHG emissions, the Carbon Accounting Workbook (CAW), to bring consistency and accuracy to the emissions estimation methodology used across the industry. The workbook has been in place for 16 versions (up to 2022) and is updated annually to reflect latest UK Government emissions factors, evolving best practice and recognised international Standards for greenhouse gas emissions accounting and to incorporate changes in industry practices as well as outputs from relevant water sector research projects. This GHG estimation and reporting tools for 2024 project This GHG estimation and reporting tools for 2024 project in addition to providing an updated CAW v18 to be used for annual accounting (FY 2023-24) will develop a parallel but separate calculation tool to be used to enable Water companies’ reporting to Ofwat against the AMP8 common Performance Commitment for Operational Greenhouse Gas emissions. This is a new performance commitment and therefore does not yet have a finalised scope or agreed calculation but will need a common methodology and supporting tool to ensure undemanding and consistent reporting is possible. |
| 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 |