Thursday 28 May 2020
Energy Institute commits to net zero operations ‘well before 2050’
The Energy Institute (EI) has committed to going net zero across its central operations by 'well before 2050'.
The organisation, which acts as a global professional body for the energy sector, has set a science-based target for greenhouse gas emission reductions of 26.2% by 2025, before building up to 47.9% by 2030 and 67.9% by 2035 on the path towards the mid-century - these cuts will be measured against a 2019 baseline.
The planned emissions reductions include the running of EI’s London head office and business travel undertaken by staff.
During 2019, these activities resulted in the release of 358 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents, with business travel making up around 85% of this figure.
The initial science-based targets set by the EI through to 2035 will not rely on carbon offsets and the organisation says it will start the process of going green with a combination of building optimisation and behaviour change programmes, noting it plans to reach net zero 'well before 2050'.
EI President Steve Holliday FREng FEI said: “The climate emergency demands changes in behaviour across the board – from governments, businesses and societies. The EI is resolved to end its own impact on the climate and is joining a growing number of organisations on an ambitious but managed journey to net zero. We do not yet have all of the answers, but I hope our members, partners and customers will be inspired to follow.
“The current pandemic has wreaked personal and economic tragedy. But it could yet lead to something positive too, if we’re smart with how we emerge from it. We must not squander this opportunity to rebuild our economies in a more sustainable way that averts future shocks to our way of life.”
The EI now plans to develop a strategy to deliver the emission reductions required and says it will publicly report emissions and conduct further work to explore the indirect impacts of its activities, such as those relating to the events it hosts.
