Carbon Archives - Communications and Management for Sustainability

Greenhouse gas emissions of nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment

UKWIR has published a new report ‘The greenhouse gas emissions of nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment’. Abstract: Using a systematic global literature review, factors were collated that increased or decreased emissions from methane, nitrous oxide and carbon from various typologies of constructed wetland, enhanced septic tank-nature-based solutions (NBS) and stabilisation ponds. Responses were gathered from water […]

The beginning of the end for carbon offsetting?

News , Water

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has published four technical outputs as an early step in the process for the revision of the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard. The SBTi announced the timeline and published the Terms of Reference for the review of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard in May 2024, ensuring that the Standard continues to […]

Ocean Carbon Removal technique completes successful pilot

Marine , News

Scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and its commercial subsidiary PML Applications, have confirmed the viability, and potential scalability, of a novel “ocean” or “marine” carbon dioxide removal (oCDR or mCDR) technique designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by enhancing the alkalinity of treated wastewater before it is discharged out at sea. In […]

Scope 3 emissions need to be considered in planning

News , Water

Reported in The Ecologist and elsewhere, the Supreme Court has ruled that environmental impact assessments should consider the climate impacts that would inevitably arise new projects, known as ‘Scope 3’ or ‘downstream’ emissions. The case was brought against Surrey County Council and its decision to grant planning permission for oil drilling at Horse Hill, near […]

3D printing – the future for infrastructure?

News , Water

Scottish Water and United Utilities are working with tech group ChangeMaker3D and Manchester Metropolitan University to produce 3D concrete printed infrastructure components. The £1.7 million project is backed by the Ofwat Innovation Fund and can print assets in a matter of hours compared to the several days it would take using traditional methods, achieving carbon […]

Government progress failing short on key infrastructure

News , Water

The National Infrastructure Commission has published its Infrastructure Progress Review 2024 – the Commission’s annual assessment of government progress on infrastructure strategy and delivery in priority areas. The review finds that over the last 12 months, progress has been mixed. There has been continued expansion in the reach of digital networks, and devolution deals for […]

Companies won’t be able to “buy their way” out of decarbonisation

News , Water

The chief executive of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has issued a public statement to reiterate an “unwavering” support for robust governance when it comes to standard setting. The controversy followed claims that SBTi would recognise carbon credits as a way to “abate” scope 3 emissions. These indirect, value chain emissions usually make up […]

Six civils clients to switch to low carbon concrete and steel

News , Water

Interesting piece in Construction Enquirer News Anglian Water, Heathrow, The Lower Thames Crossing, National Highways, Northumbrian Water and Sellafield have committed to scale-back use of the biggest contributors to CO₂ emissions – diesel, steel, and concrete. They are the first clients to sign up for the Construction Leadership Council’s “Five Client Carbon Commitments” designed to […]