Three water companies are embarking on a year of collaborative events in the run-up to COP26, the United Nations’ climate change conference scheduled for next November.
Following the success of Anglian and Essex and Suffolk’s Innovate East event last year, this time round they will be joined by Yorkshire Water for Innovate East 2021, comprising a series of events designed to foster means of carbon reduction and tackling climate change.
The organisations are joint sponsors of the Public Interest Commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions for the sector by 2030. They have already published an industry route-map to success.
Innovate East 2021 will build on the route-map and work to fast track progress towards this goal by using the knowledge and insight of stakeholders both inside and outside the sector.
Stakeholders from different organisations and industries will be invited to join together through a series of virtual events that build on the successful format and outcomes of last year’s event which attracted over 2,000 people from almost 300 organisations.
Some of last year’s ideas embraced leakage reduction, natural capital, digital twins and social purpose. Funding was subsequently allocated to take 10 of the ideas forward and they are currently evolving into ‘real life’ trials and solutions.
Shaunna Berendsen, Head of Innovation Engagement at Anglian Water, said: “We can only meet our carbon and climate change targets by working together – collaboration is key!
“2021 is going to be a big year, the year of change. We must keep efforts focused during these challenging times and not neglect our carbon and climate change goals.
“It has never been more important to collaborate.”
