How the water sector can lead the way to net-zero

• World Water Day provides an opportunity to highlight the water sector's potential to accelerate progress toward net-zero emissions.
  
• While water systems contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fast decarbonization is conceivable using easily available technologies.
• The water sector is giving a model for sectors aiming to reduce emissions dramatically and rapidly in three phases.

Making the invisible visible is the subject for World Water Day on March 22 this year, and now more than ever, the water sector's efforts to advance global sustainability are a narrative that should be shared and celebrated widely.

The water industry occupies a unique position. Water operators have always been guardians of a valuable resource, and water infrastructure is a critical component of any successful economy. At the same time, today's water systems are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: worldwide water utilities contribute the same amount of GHGs as the shipping industry. Water utilities, on the other hand, could reduce their emissions drastically and quickly at a minimal to no cost — and they are already doing so.

Indeed, the water sector might be one of the quickest to decarbonize, serving as a model for others. Here's how the business community is collaborating to get there:

1. Making firm, sector-wide emissions reduction agreements

Leading water utilities and stakeholders are joining the UN's Race to Zero effort, which is mobilising industries and regions to take immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030. Since 2011, water companies in the United Kingdom have nearly halved their operational emissions thanks to a combination of energy efficiency measures, renewable energy, and biomethane production from sewage treatment processes.

It's a global trend: more than 65 water and wastewater utilities throughout the world, including some of the world's largest, have already established net-zero, carbon, and climate neutrality targets. By defining the destination, our industry is committing to a clear path toward decarbonization.

2. Making early, meaningful progress by using low-cost, high-efficiency technology.

In the race to zero, readily available technology, together with changes in process, policy, and practise, constitute a crucial and affordable element of the roadmap. According to Xylem and our partners' assessments, existing high-efficiency solutions could cut GHG emissions in half at a low to no cost to global water utilities. Consider "smart" pumps, leak detection sensors, and other digitally powered water treatment and transportation systems. These are low-hanging fruit abatement solutions that don't necessitate new technologies or carbon-pricing strategies.

3. Identifying the practical steps — processes, policies, and practises – to reach net zero.

One component of the solution is technology. To accelerate progress, increase accountability, lower the costs and risks of the transition to net zero, and unleash new benefits associated to emissions reductions activities, supporting systems, policies, and practises are required.

The water industry's experience shows that the building blocks for success are already in place: low-cost technology, experience, money, teamwork, and, increasingly, regulatory incentives. Furthermore, our experience demonstrates that prioritising emissions reduction yields enormous outcomes - swiftly, economically, and with low risk.

The decisions made by the global business community on the path to net-zero will have long-term effects. Let us celebrate the water sector's efforts to be a leader in decarbonization today, on World Water Day. Let us also take action across industries to contribute to the solution to climate change and the creation of a more sustainable future.