Utility Week

10 | 29TH NOVEMBER - 5TH DECEMBER 2019 | UTILITY WEEK Election 2019 Water efficiency mostly overlooked There are some particular points within each manifesto worth picking up. Liberal Democrats There are welcome references about action to improve water quality and water efficiency, but it would have been good to see this translate into other aspects of climate policy. For instance, there are opportunities to cut energy bills and emissions through the adoption of water efficiency standards and labelling, supported by revision to building regulations. This is one of the reasons why Water UK has been pressing for water efficiency to be included in any new environmental legislation in the next parliament. Labour Party The overriding policy affecting the water sector is the plan to take the water and sewerage industry into gov- ernment ownership. The inclusion of this pledge, is one of the few men- tions of water in a manifesto which leads on an ambition for a "Green Industrial Revolution". This is surprising, as water is intrinsically linked to carbon and environmental goals. There's no mention of water efficiency at all. At a time when the industry is planning record invest- ment, the biggest leakage reduction programme for 20 years, and a major push to become carbon neutral by 2030, these unnecessary nationalisation plans would cause massive disruption and risk setting back a crucial public service for years to come. It doesn't make any sense to go back to the days when cash-strapped govern- ments couldn't afford to fund the improvements needed in water and sewerage because they spent the money on other priorities instead. This idea is bad for the environ- ment, bad for customers, and bad for the economy. Conservative Party It's good to see that the Environment Bill is still being prioritised – particularly the action on plastics, which the water sector is heavily involved in through our Public Interest Commitment pledge to prevent the equivalent of four billion plastic bottles ending up as waste by 2030. Like the other parties, the Conservatives pledge to increase housebuilding, including social housing. But as with Labour's manifesto, there is no obvious connection to water efficiency in these new homes. It would have been good to see a commitment to have water efficiency measures built in to new housing, because an increasing population – particularly in the South East – means put- ting ever greater strain on our water resources. One important way to help ensure there are continued good supplies of water for all is to make sure we're all using it efficiently and minimising waste. We want water efficiency to be mentioned in the same breath as energy efficiency – whoever is in power a"er 12 December. Water UK Michael Roberts, chief executive Nationalisation is a distraction from net zero State ownership is a reckless pursuit I 'm pleased to see all parties committing to the net zero target. It is the right thing to do and it makes political sense. As an industry we are com- mitted to meeting the net zero target in partnership with the government. Our industry has been world-leading at reducing emissions and driving decarbon- isation – with over half of our electricity now generated from low carbon sources. And how have we achieved all that? With private investment – totalling £13.1 billion last year – and by incentivising innova- tion and driving prices down through competitive auctions, which have made renewable generation ever cheaper while delivering green jobs, boosting economic growth and lowering costs for consumers. That is why it was a con- cern to see Labour's plans for nationalising much of the sec- tor, including the largest retail suppliers. Our sector has led the way in reducing emissions, so it's not true that the current structure hasn't been delivering. The retail market has never been as competitive, with over half a million customers switching on average every month and over 60 suppliers offering increas- ingly innovative services. It's hard to see how putting the larg- est suppliers under state control will help competition, where the growing share of smaller and mid-tier companies has resulted in a fast-changing market. Even putting those argu- ments aside, it's hard to see how a massive reorganisation won't take several years – wasting precious time. Net zero should be top priority for the next government, who should imme- diately introduce policies that support the target. We all need to work together. A consistent and concerted effort by govern- ment is an absolute necessity. That's why in our manifesto we have called for a net zero test to all new government policies. So the main question is, would nationalisation accelerate or critically delay our decarbonisa- tion efforts? I fear it's the latter. And when climate change is the biggest global challenge we face today – and a crisis we need to respond to urgently – that is not the place we want to be. ENA David Smith, chief executive P rivate investment and a relentless focus on innova- tion has already helped make Britain a superpower of renewable energy. We welcome the focus that all the main par- ties have made to deliver the UK's net zero targets. We need credible, practical and realistic policies to deliver more low-carbon heat, create an Internet of Energy for our homes Industry reaction and businesses, and support a revolution of green transport. Building on the foundations of our current system, rather than recklessly pursuing the distraction of introducing state ownership, is the best way of delivering those things. The time to reach net zero is running out – let's not waste it by needlessly scrapping a system that works. Energy UK Audrey Gallagher, director or policy

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