Xylem named “Net Zero Champion” at Global Water Awards
Xylem was recently named “Net Zero Carbon Champion” at the 2022 Global Water Awards, recognizing our work to advance the decarbonization of the water sector. The award is a major milestone in our mission to accelerate progress towards a more water sustainable future.
"The water sector is uniquely positioned to make a meaningful contribution to containing climate change," said Austin Alexander, Vice President, Sustainability and Social Impact at Xylem. "We could become one of the fastest sectors to decarbonize. This award belongs to our 17,000-strong team at Xylem, and to our customers and partners, who are all working to be part of the solution."
Committed to net-zero carbon emissions
Moving and treating water and wastewater is an energy-intensive business, with water utilities accounting for about 2% of global GHG emissions1. At Xylem, we are committed to solving water challenges and building a more water-secure world for future generations. Last year, we formalized our commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across our value chain before 20502 and we are on track to meet our Science-Based Target commitments by 20303.
In addition to our own commitments to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, we also partner with utilities, businesses and water managers around the world to help reduce their carbon footprint. In 2020, we established far-reaching sustainability goals that seek to reduce water’s CO2 footprint by over 2.8 million metric tons by 2025.
In the two years since launching our ambitious five-year plan, we have already reduced the CO2 footprint of our water customers by over 1 million metric tons.
High-efficiency solutions
The Net Zero Carbon Champion award recognizes the work by Xylem and our utility partners to deploy advanced solutions that optimize energy consumption across water networks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For example, Xylem’s Flygt Bibo Alpha pumping system can reduce energy consumption by up to 60%. Xylem’s AI-powered Treatment System Optimization solution has also helped a wastewater treatment plant in Cuxhaven, Germany, cut aeration energy use by 30%.
In 2020 alone, Xylem’s high-efficiency technologies and digital solutions collectively helped customers reduce their carbon footprint by 0.7 million metric tons of CO2, the equivalent to keeping 150,000 cars off the road for a year.
Xylem previously won the "Water Project of the Year" award for its work to modernize the Orly drinking water treatment plant in Paris, France at the 2021 Global Water Awards. The project helped Eau de Paris increase capacity and strengthen its water treatment capabilities while reducing energy consumption and improving water safety.
The Race to Zero
In addition to driving progress through our solutions, we are working to build awareness of the net-zero opportunity through contributions like our recent paper “Water Utilities: Moving Fast Toward A Zero-Carbon Future” and by encouraging stakeholders to join the sector’s “Race to Zero.”
About the Global Water Awards
The Global Water Awards, an initiative of Global Water Intelligence, recognizes the industry’s greatest achievements, rewarding initiatives and companies in the water, wastewater and desalination sectors that are moving the industry forward with improved operating performance, innovative technology adoption and sustainable financial models.
Learn more about how Xylem helps customers advance sustainability: Xylem's 2021 Sustainability Report
---
1. Water UK: Global water community challenged to join the Race to Zero
2. In September 2021, Xylem announced commitments to Science-Based Target aligned to a 1.5 C reduction by 2030 (Scope 1, 2 and 3) and net-zero emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) before 2050.
3. https://www.xylem.com/en-us/sustainability/