Utility Week

10 | 12TH - 18TH JULY 2019 | UTILITY WEEK Utility of the future: climate change Towards net zero 'Utilities are part of the problem' Our exclusive survey sought out public opinion on utilities and cutting emissions. U tility companies have a long way to go to convince the public of their e orts to tackle climate change, according to a poll carried out for Utility Week that pointed to widespread misunderstanding about the role utilities were playing in mov- ing to the net zero emissions target by 2050. The survey, carried out by Harris Inter- active, was commissioned by Utility Week to gauge levels of public support for the net zero emissions target. It found a public scep- tical that net zero could be achieved, but there was widespread support for onshore wind farms and encouraging signs for the transition to hydrogen gas for heating. Currently, utility companies are viewed more as part of the problem (47 per cent) of climate change rather than as part of the solution (32 per cent), the research found. One-„ … h (21 per cent) of the 1,022 people sur- veyed by Harris were undecided. Those interested in environmental issues were more likely to view utility companies more favourably as part of the solution. The research, carried out in June of a cross-section of age groups, revealed that climate change and other environmental matters are currently topics of interest for the public, with four-„ … hs (82 per cent) citing they were interested in environmental issues. Support for the UK's 2050 net zero emis- sions target was high, with over three-quar- ters (78 per cent) of respondents stating they were supportive of such a policy. Support was signi„ cantly higher among the 18-34 age group (86 per cent) and those interested in environmental issues (86 per cent). Most respondents (89 per cent) said they were happy to make changes with regards to their energy and water consumption to sup- port the target, yet only 38 per cent of these would consider making signi„ cant changes. Half (51 per cent) felt they could make smaller changes to support the UK's policy. Younger respondents were signi„ cantly more likely to take up bigger, more signi„ - cant changes while the over-55s would only commit to smaller changes. Education, education, education However, again pointing to the need for a high-pro„ le education exercise, a third of those surveyed found it surprising that the UK had signi„ cant water shortages. Just over one-quarter (28 per cent) would be happy to pay more on top of their current energy bills if it meant the UK could meet the 2050 net zero emissions target. Again, this was signi„ cantly higher among younger respondents and those interested in environ- W ater companies are determined to play their part in delivering net zero. In its desire to tackle climate change, the water sector is no di erent to any other util- ity, which is why in April we announced our intention to achieve net zero carbon emis- sions for the sector by 2030. The announce- ment formed part of our "public interest commitment" (or PIC), which set out how water companies in England intend to complement their business plans in tackling wider social and environmental challenges. Michael Roberts Chief executive, Water UK "The water sector is fully behind UK's environmental goals." As energy-intensive businesses, we believe we can make a real di erence through measures such as greater water e› ciency and buying green energy, as well as generating renewable energy ourselves, planting trees, restoring peat land and work- ing with our supply chain. The PIC contained „ ve challenging goals taking in both environmental and social issues. In addition to the carbon neutrality pledge, the PIC included a commitment to prevent the equivalent of four billion plastic bottles ending up as waste, taking action to tackle leakage and make bills a ordable for all as well as to be the „ rst sector to achieve 100 per cent sign-up to the social mobility pledge, which aims to go the extra mile in boosting social mobility in the UK. mental issues. The results potentially sup- port the view of the regulators, who want to keep bills for consumers down even though some water and energy „ rms are arguing that they need to invest more to tackle climate change, which may be passed on to bills. In terms of supporting renewables, almost eight in ten (78 per cent) were happy for new onshore wind farms – the lowest cost form of renewable energy – to be created in order to help the UK meet its net zero emissions tar- get. This should add weight to those in the industry trying to get government to relax its policy of directing any new wind develop- ment in England o shore. However, there was not the same support for nuclear power stations to help meet the net zero target, where only four in ten (43 per cent) were happy for new ones to be built. This „ gure was higher for men than women, at 55 per cent and 33 per cent respectively. Moves to decarbonise heat One of the biggest challenges the UK faces on the road to net zero is the decarbonisation of heat. Our survey results suggested there is a strong foundation of support for switching from gas boilers to hydrogen, but understand- ably a great deal of education will be needed. Of people currently using gas central heating, when asked if they would be willing to replace it with an alternative technology within the next ten years if it was shown this would support the UK's net zero emissions target – 62 per cent said yes, they would. One in four (25 per cent) said they would be willing to have hydrogen-powered central heating installed in their homes, rising to more than half (57 per cent) if they had more information about it.

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