UK Power Networks (UKPN) has reduced its CO2e emissions by 6.6% since 2016/17 and 20.5% against its baseline.
The distribution network operator (DNO) has therefore been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for Carbon, the first electricity network operator to do so.
The Carbon Trust has certified UKPN as having an absolute reduction of 6.6% in carbon emissions since 2016/17, which forms part of its overall reduction of 20.5% since its baseline of 2014/15.
It forms a key part of UKPN’s Green Action Plan, with the DNO seeking to minimise its impact on the environment and help communities reach net zero in line with the national 2050 target.
Phil Spiby, sustainability advisor at UK Power Networks, said that whilst there has been a lot of work happening in the background, the certification is “just the first stage in our journey”.
“We want to work with the Carbon Trust to really understand all of the carbon embedded in our business and the reductions we need to make to play our part in helping to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. Out of this work will also come a roadmap to net zero and a realistic date for achieving this.”
UKPN has unveiled a variety of projects aimed at decarbonisation, including the Loadshare trial, resulting in the freeing up of 95MW of capacity, and a local energy market trial with EDF, which was recently evolved to include flexibility services provided by residential assets.
UKPN has also had a heavy focus on electric vehicles, being a part of the Optimise Prime pilot and the smart charging trial Shift, as well as launching a website showing global vehicle-to-grid projects.