White paper: Net Zero. The race we all win (Xylem)
The race to net-zero emissions is on. Since the Paris Agreement of 2016, more than 70 countries, accounting for 76 percent of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, have pledged to meet ambitious net-zero goals. Most have committed to a 45 percent cut in GHG emissions by 2030, and net zero by 2050. That’s a challenge for water utilities. Water and wastewater infrastructure is a major GHG contributor – making up approximately 2% of global GHG emissions, on par with the global shipping industry. Utilities are not just required to deliver on financial metrics. They must also meet their communities’ need for safe, affordable water and sanitation, and comply with regulatory requirements. Those imperatives don’t pause for emissions reduction. And they don’t have to. Utilities can reduce emissions quickly and affordably. With the right approaches and proven technologies, net zero is possible