Thursday 1 October 2020

National Grid commits to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 20% before 2030

National Grid commits to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 20% before 2030

National Grid has set out a new commitment to reduce its Scope 3 greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions by 20% before 2030.

The system operator for the UK's electricity and gas grid has also pledged to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 80% by 2030, 90% by 2040 and become net zero by 2050 from a 1990 baseline.

The move is part of a set of commitments that focus on areas including environment, communities, people, economy, and governance.

These commitments include the elimination of all sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas from National Grid's assets by 2050, the annual reduction of air miles by at least 50% from a 2019 baseline and offsetting the remaining emissions so that it can reach zero emissions. 

The company's strategy also prioritises a 100% switch to an electric fleet by 2030 for all light-duty vehicles and the replacement of all medium and heavy-duty vehicles with zero-carbon alternatives.

The firm has also confirmed it will continue to reinvest in energy infrastructure at approximately £5 billion each year.

John Pettigrew, CEO at National Grid, said: “We share the belief that business needs to stand for something more than profitability.

"Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to demonstrate our contribution to society more broadly, whether that’s by giving young people today the opportunities to become the problem solvers of tomorrow, or in tackling climate change by reducing our own emissions and helping our customers use energy more efficiently.”

Since 1990, National Grid has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% which is below its interim target of 45% by 2020.

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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