Meeting a net zero goal by 2030

Absolute zero emissions

The Environment Agency (EA) currently produces approximately 273,000 tonnes of carbon annually, with most of these emissions derived from the construction of flood defence infrastructure in England and from operating the pumps which are used in the response to floods and droughts.

The EA has set itself the bold ambition of becoming a net zero organisation by 2030. To achieve this, it will need to assess all its infrastructure assets and reduce construction, maintenance, and water pumping emissions by 45% compared to a 2019 baseline. This will involve the decarbonisation of its supply chain, as a considerable proportion of the organisation’s carbon footprint stems from its contractors and suppliers.

The EA also intends to become an absolute zero organisation by 2050, meaning that all carbon emissions will have been removed from their own activities and supply chain; this would support the UK government’s wider goals of a net zero nation.

Holistic approach to managing carbon

Decarbonising the EA’s assets by 2030 is an ambitious objective which requires a series of strategic interventions, a comprehensive programme of culture and behavioural change and a holistic approach to managing carbon in both construction and operational activities.

Emissions will be reduced by decommissioning assets, by establishing carbon budgets for all projects so they treat carbon as a finite resource, by introducing new innovative technology, by using renewable energy, by high-quality offsetting and by the use of nature-based solutions.

We’re supporting the Environment Agency’s high-profile programme with a multi-disciplinary team of experts including strategy and change managers, climate and carbon specialists, programme and project management, risk and supply chain management, digital solutions, communications and stakeholder management.

We’re developing full business cases, including economic modelling, and working on a comprehensive portfolio of interventions which are aligned to the PAS2080 carbon management standard; we’re also designing and delivering change and communication campaigns. Our carbon specialists, business and data analysts are working together with EA staff and other consultants to identify patterns within data, highlighting the areas that need to be addressed to decarbonise infrastructure assets.

We provide added value through leveraging Mott MacDonald’s extensive knowledge of EA’s operations and our in-depth domain expertise in engineering and nature-based solutions as well as carbon, renewable energy and climate resilience challenges.

With Mott MacDonald colleagues working with the EA throughout the organisation, we are ensuring alignment with the EA’s strategic objectives on all levels.

Pioneering transformational change

Our multidisciplinary integrated service is supporting the Environment Agency as it pioneers transformational change to achieve its inspiring goal of reaching net zero by 2030. The EA has been equipped with the expertise and confidence to rise to the challenge of climate change through a programme of systematic improvements to its operations.

Our employees are fulfilling important and senior roles at the Environment Agency; they communicate well within the organisation and are aligned with organisational objectives. The in-depth knowledge we have acquired in this way and our network within the company means we can leave a legacy for the organisation and for the environment.

We have supported and collaborated with the Environment Agency by finding new opportunities to develop net zero roadmaps and strategies to achieve cost and carbon savings without compromising on efficiency. By reducing the Environment Agency’s infrastructure carbon, we are demonstrating how wider industry can achieve similar targets and taking an essential step towards achieving a net zero society.