The water and sewerage service industry will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the national peak body said last month.
In an updated climate change position paper, the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) says its members, customers and communities “are even more ambitious and want us to achieve this target much earlier than 2050”.
The paper says the industry is pursuing at least seven opportunities to achieve net zero emissions, including by sequestering carbon and offsetting residual emissions “using local offset where possible”.
The industry will also focus on conserving water by reducing network water loss and encouraging customers to value efficient and effective water use.
The Association, which counts dozens of councils and council-owned organisations providing water, wastewater, and stormwater services as members, has also pledged to work with customers and communities to balance the costs of mitigating and adapting to a changing climate with affordability for customers and the future costs of climate change.