Our environmental, social and governance approach
With modern challenges such as an increase in population, urbanisation, and a changing climate we need to think differently. We’re setting ourselves higher expectations for resilience and environmental performance, using our experience, skills and technology to come up with innovative and sustainable solutions. To help showcase our environmental, social and governance approach to solving these problems, we’re releasing videos that demonstrate some of the issues we’re tackling, solutions we’re finding, and partnerships we’re forming.
Innovative solutions to modern challenges
Jo Harrison, our environmental planning and innovation director, introduces a series of examples demonstrating how we are using innovative solutions to help tackle some of the sustainability challenges we face.
Helping customers with £280 million of affordability support
Helping people to achieve the lowest possible water bill and support those struggling with payments has always been one of our top priorities. And it’s never been more important with the current cost of living challenges. Michelle Atkinson, head of income, shares how we’re helping more than 200,000 households in the North West with around £280 million of affordability support through partnerships and innovative initiatives.
Next generation of sustainable drainage systems
We continue to explore innovative ways on how things can be done differently, as we look at alternative methods to increase resilience in our sewer systems. Esther Taylor, strategy development manager, shows us the next generation of sustainable drainage system and how we’re working with communities to reduce flood risk, protect local waterways and create green space and habitats for plants and animals to thrive.
Our approach to carbon
We take climate change seriously. It’s a priority for our customers but it’s also a long-standing strategic priority for us as a business. We’re already doing a lot to minimise our carbon emissions including transporting water without energy-intensive pumping and working in partnership to protect nature and water quality, as well as storing carbon. Gordon Rogers, head of long term strategy, tells us more.
Embracing innovation to tackle leakage
With the impact of climate change on water resources and the advent of new technology our customers and stakeholders have told us we should do more on leakage – and we agree. That’s why we are fixing more leaks than ever before and our leakage is the lowest it has ever been and we’re targeting a further 15% reduction by 2025 and 50% by 2050. Leakage apprentice Fiysal shares how we’re embracing innovation and utilising technology to keep our water systems running efficiently and sustainably.
Improving bathing waters and protecting homes and businesses from flooding
With a changing climate, we’re experiencing more periods of intense rainfall. Steve Wong shares our new approach to tackling excess surface water in Blackpool. This work not only improves bathing waters but also helps to protect homes and businesses from flooding. There’s still a lot to do but we are moving in the right direction.
Collaborating with communities who can have a positive impact to the environment on their doorstep
Working in partnership with local communities about how our behaviours can impact river health is seeing a positive impact on the environment. When the wrong things are flushed or poured down drains and enter the sewers, it can cause major blockages and potentially sewer flooding. We’ve been engaging with community champions in Oldham and visiting schools and places of worship to raise awareness with residents how to reduce the risk of blockages and the impact of sewer litter
Joining forces to help our rivers and waterways flourish
The health of our rivers is important for all. Improving river water quality has been our priority for decades and our investment has made a significant contribution to cities like Liverpool. We’ve set out a 30 point plan to kick start a river revival over the next three years.