Net zero

The decarbonisation of the energy system is one of the biggest challenges facing our world, and National Grid has a critical role to play in the acceleration towards a cleaner future. That’s why National Grid has announced a target to reduce our own direct greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
 

So, how are we going to achieve it?

National Grid Metering (NGM) has split out its strategy towards net zero into two parts; the emissions in direct control of the business; and those outside of business control but still integral to the operation of NGM down our supply chain.

NGM has made progress to reduce carbon emissions primarily in direct control of the business. We have identified our direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Programmes of work are in place to reduce the emissions, using the greenhouse gas management hierarchy.

We also work with our supply chain to reduce their emissions from work activities, movement of goods and other services.

NGM has plans to break down the embodied carbon in siteworks activities, and materials used in construction and maintenance, to be able to eliminate, reduce and substitute ,where possible, with low-carbon alternatives.

We acknowledge that there will be some level of compensation needed to offset what cannot be reasonably and practicably reduced. Offsetting will play a small part in the net zero strategy and aims to be done in a way that can benefit not only the business but the communities and biodiversity in the UK.

Circular economy

In our current economy, materials are taken from the earth, products are made from them and eventually thrown away as waste – this process is linear. In a circular economy, by contrast, waste is not being produced in the first place. The circular economy is a systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution (The Ellen MacArthur Foundation).
 

So, how are we going to achieve it?

NGM has considered the circular economy of its meters for a long time. Meters are refurbished for another lease of life alongside appropriate recycling materials. Through reuse and recycling materials, we are minimising harm to the environment by reducing the amount of raw materials needed in the meters.

Materials are separated and processed through multiple different waste streams; for example, plastics are used to manufacture alarms and electrical fuse covers, meter caps are reused or sold, connectors and springs are reused by battery suppliers.

Nexus Point ensures NGM is well placed to provide sustainable solutions to process the old meters and directly support its carbon, landfill and ethical business conduct strategies.

Climate change

National Grid was a proud principal partner of COP26 in 2021, in a collective ambition to tackle climate change.

COP26 was a unique chance to call for a more ambitious action towards a clean energy future. And it’s an ideal forum to show that achieving net zero is possible with the technologies and opportunities we have today.

While we can do our bit to prevent climate change, we acknowledge that the impacts of changing weather patterns as a result of climate change are already being felt around the world. For NGM this means protecting our assets against adverse weather conditions, to ensure security of supply for our customers.
 

What are we doing to protect the business from climate change?

Using state of the art Geographical Information Software, NGM is working with the Environment Agency to predict the risks of flooding from rivers and sea.

The risks from the geographical locations of our assets are identified and we have begun to put in place mitigation strategies to protect our assets from the inevitable changing weather patterns to ensure plans are robust.

In addition to identifying flooding as a hazard, NGM has identified a further eight climate change risks – including lightning strikes, extreme temperatures, etc. – that could impact our business. To mitigate against the potential impact of climate, a risk methodology is being used to appropriately manage the risks associated with the geographical location of sites across the country.

NGM has acknowledged that, as long as we anticipate the risks and how we can manage them appropriately, we will be in the best position to be able to manage the assets with bespoke management plans to protect them.