City West Water is set to be the first Australian water authority to go carbon neutral with the Minister for Climate Change, John Thwaites today announcing a sustainability covenant between the authority and EPA Victoria.
(Media-Newswire.com) - City West Water is set to be the first Australian water authority to go carbon neutral with the Minister for Climate Change, John Thwaites today announcing a sustainability covenant between the authority and EPA Victoria.
Mr Thwaites said the covenant was a legal agreement committing City West Water to delivering water services with net-zero greenhouse emissions.
“Victoria is predicted to have eight per cent less water by 2020 because of climate change,” Mr Thwaites said.
“The business of providing treated water can be energy intensive and generate large amounts of greenhouse gas, which in turn impacts on our declining supply of this precious commodity.
“City West Water is taking steps to break this cycle and address the link between climate change and water shortages.
“This covenant agreement also aims to inspire other Victorian businesses to plan for, and achieve, sustainable growth by demonstrating the impressive economic and environmental benefits of this approach.”
To achieve carbon neutrality, City West Water will:
· seek to reduce its greenhouse footprint by reducing energy use in its own buildings, treatment plants and operations; · use renewable energy; · integrate its greenhouse gas emissions reduction program with its extensive water conservation programs by focussing on saving hot water. This will include providing households with low flow showerheads and helping industrial and commercial customers to reduce their water and energy use; and · buy credible carbon offsets for any remaining energy use it can’t yet eliminate.
This is the second covenant between City West Water and EPA Victoria and reflects the ongoing commitment by both authorities to set sustainable operating practices.
Published by:
http://www.vic.gov.au/
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