Why we signed up to the Edinburgh Climate Compact
Thu, 09/16/2021 - 09:13
SP Energy Networks transports electricity through our transmission and distribution networks to ensure Edinburgh always has the power it needs.
As the operator of the electricity networks in Central and Southern Scotland, we know that we need to play a leading role in the fight against climate change.
That is why we are proud to have signed up to the Edinburgh Climate Compact.
Leadership is required from both public and private sectors if we are to bring about the kind of meaningful, long-term change needed to deliver a Net Zero Edinburgh by 2030 – an ambitious but achievable target.
I believe that only by coming together and being transparent about our successes and challenges with organisations that share our drive and ambition to create a cleaner, greener future can we really make the most of the knowledge and expertise that exists across different sectors.
We need to play a leading role in the decarbonsiation of transport and heat
Our network infrastructure needs to be robust enough to handle the huge volume of new renewable generation which is connecting and will continue to do so at an even faster rate in future, with between 20-30GW of onshore and offshore wind expected to be connected in Scotland by 2030.
We need to play a leading role in the decarbonisation of transport and heat – the two biggest single obstacles standing in the way of delivering Net Zero.
We must be smarter in our efforts to become the network of the future. Activities such as flexibility and digitalisation will help modernise our network and help us to manage the significant new demand that will be placed on it by EV chargers and electric heating.
We need to decarbonise our own organisational footprint
In order to achieve our ambition of being a sustainable networks business, we also need to decarbonise our own organisational footprint by focusing on measures like electrifying our vehicle fleet, delivering renewable sources of heating in our own buildings, minimising our use of water and managing waste more efficiently..
We believe that if we ensure sustainability is embedded throughout our decision-making process, our actions will drive our supply chain, customers and communities to become more sustainable.
With less than 50 days to go now until COP26, there is no better time for Scotland’s capital city to demonstrate its leadership on climate change and I look forward to sharing some of our sustainable business practices and learning from other signatories.