The Challenge of Climate Change and Future WaterOr: water we going to do about carbon?

23 April 2009

Institute of Water Officers

Annual Conference

Mike Walker

Outline

• Climate Change Act

• Climate Change Adaptation programme

• The water industry and carbon

• Future Water

Climate Change Act 2008 – Key Aspects

• Binding targets to reduce GHG emissions

• 26% by 2020, 80% by 2050, on 1990 baseline

• Carbon budgets: 2008-2012, 2013-2017, 2018-2022

• set by 1 June; report to Parliament on policies

• Committee on Climate Change

• Annual reports on progress on targets

• Sub committee on adaptation

• Quinquennial report on progress

• etc

Adapting to Climate Change Programme

Adapting to Climate Change in Defra

Climate Change impacts on a range of Defra policies:Flooding and coastal erosionWater availability and qualityMarineAgricultureBiodiversity, ecosystems and forestryDefra’s international role

DSO 1:A society that is adapting to the effects of climate change, through a national programme of action and a contribution to international action

Timelines for ACC

Climate Change Act

NI188 guidance

LA support

2009 2010 20112008

Projections launch & rollout

Reporting Power & Statutory Guidance

First reports asked for

Adpt Sub Committee 1st

report

Risk Assessment

National Programme

Adaptation Sub Committee

Pictures courtesy of Waterwise

Domestic hot water use produces about 35 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2e) per year

7% of emissions

Supplying water and treating sewage produces 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year

1% of emissions

1

Carbon and water

More water = more carbon emissions

Policy measures on carbon

• Climate Change Levy

• EU Emissions Trading Scheme

• Climate Change Agreements

• Renewables Obligation

• Carbon Reduction Commitment

Future Water

• The Government’s Water Strategy for England, published February 2008

• Water sector for the future – vision for 2030

• A coherent, focused policy framework which is resilient to climate change

• Outlines Government priorities

• 61 actions for Defra and delivery partners

• Water Availability and Quality board programme set up to ensure delivery

- Need for everyone to value water- Everyone taking responsibility

Future Water - Feb 2008

Key messages:

• Supply/demand balance

• Water efficiency

• Environmental water quality

• Surface water management and flooding

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation

• Charging for water

• Regulatory framework

Future Water – key policy areas

Areas of relative water stress

Wetter winters and drier, hotter summers

The Challenge: Climate Change

More intense rainfall

Lower river flows

Less water available for supply

Population growth and demographic change – more households

Land-use patterns are changing

Customers’ attitudes and demands are changing

The Challenge:Social and Demographic Change

Average water consumption in England: 150 litres/person/day

The Challenge: Water Quality

Real improvements in water quality

But under wider WFD assessment:

% at risk of failing to meet good status

Rivers 93Lakes 84Estuaries 99Coastal waters 85Ground water 75

Need for near universal metering before 2030 for households in areas of serious water stress

Consumer awareness

Efficient water fittings

Water smart homes and businesses

Future Water: Water Efficiency

Valuing water more and using it more efficiently

Ambition is to reduce water consumption to130 litres/person/day or lower by 2030

Pictures Courtesy of Waterwise

Future Water: Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation

Water Industry voluntary commitments:

Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)

At least 20% of energy used to come from renewable sources by 2020Research to understand, measure and manage non-CO2 greenhouse gases

The Carbon Challenge….

• Emissions targets

• Versus

• Higher standards (WFD daughter directives

etc); projected increases in demand for

water; etc

Part of the solution…?

• Water efficiency

• Reduced emissions from treatment and

distribution

• Reduced environmental impact of abstraction

• Helps WFD objectives

• Reduced demand – offset new resource needs