Urban Utilities commits to net zero by 2032

Urban Utilities has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2032, in time for Brisbane hosting that year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. The South East Queensland water and wastewater services provider plans to increase its energy efficiency, use of renewable energy and investments in local offset projects in order to cut the carbon emissions of its operations.

Urban Utilities Integrated Solutions Executive Leader Chris Bulloch emphasised the importance of achieving the net zero goal and said that it was essential for ensuring a healthy, livable and sustainable future for the region.

“The United Nations’ recent landmark Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report highlighted the urgent need for all industries to act quickly to help mitigate climate change,” Bulloch said.

“We understand communities all around the world expect organisations like ours to contribute to tackling this global issue and we’re proud to play our part.”

The company’s Principle Utilities Strategist Glen Taylor said that Urban Utilities had already made strides towards reducing carbon emissions, pointing to its work in lowering emissions from the wastewater treatment process at Brisbane’s largest wastewater treatment plant and to the installation of solar panels in regional plants.

“Since we were formed in 2010, we’ve doubled the amount of clean power we’re producing each year from wastewater and we will increase our use of renewable energy to 100% by 2032,” Taylor said.

Urban Utilities will also be investing in the rehabilitation of up to 5000 hectares of land in its service region.

“We’ve already seen great success in reforestation, following our establishment of a dedicated koala habitat in Helidon in the Lockyer Valley to support native wildlife,” Bulloch said.

“Our forest of 1600 blue gums is sustainably irrigated with recycled water from the nearby Helidon wastewater treatment plant.

“It’s important to us to ensure our local offset projects benefit both our environment and our local communities as we continue our journey to net zero.

“Climate change is the defining issue of our time and our plan to ensure a sustainable future for both our people and our planet is clear.”