It follows the UK’s largest business water retailer previously being the first to gain a Net Zero standard from Carbon Footprint, confirming its reduction pathway not only meets, but beats the science-based target trajectory for 1.5C that many businesses aspire to.
The Net Zero target for 2040, takes account of water wholesaler targets for Net Zero by 2030 in England and 2040 in Scotland, part of the supply chain for all water retailers, under Scope 3.
Jason Scagell, Chief Executive of Water Plus, said: “This is a significant moment on our Net Zet journey and I’m proud that we are taking a leadership position in sustainability, as we encourage and help more organisations to reduce carbon emissions in the UK.
“We’re building more positive momentum, helping hundreds of business sites and more than 800 schools save more than 820,000 litres of water a day in 2026, which not only helps reduce carbon emissions in the UK, it can also help reduce pressure on water resources.”
Carbon reduction activities by Water Plus includes:
- 39% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (location-based), between 24/25 and 25/26, in the move to a new main office in 2025.
- Increased energy efficiency in 2026 and 2025 at its main office, with the roll-out of more LED lighting.
- Helping other organisations with SBTi validated targets to make progress on sustainability goals, including a multi-site seeing more than 650 water efficiency devices installed in 2026. Of these, 310 can help with saving energy, by reducing hot water use.
- At least 821m3 saved a-day (821,000 litres), water meter data in 2026 shows for one of the at-scale approaches – enough to fill 3.2 million tea cups, or 10,262 baths.** There would be 290.3kg of CO2e a day reduction in carbon emissions for the water-saving, based on published Government Conversion factors for water and wastewater and a 95% Return to Sewer.
In one month, it would mean 16.4 million litres of water would be saved (during 20 working days), with the activity also helping build long-term actions to reduce and tackle UK water scarcity risks.
- 744,000 litres a-day, saved in 2026 at another site (water reduction equal to 263kg CO2e a day being saved).***Saving tracked by a data logger, installed through services Water Plus can provide. In 22 days it would save the equivalent of 5.7 tonnes of CO2e, for the water reduction.
Data loggers, installed on water meters, through Water Plus services, have also helped to save water and more than £638,000, in estimated annual wholesaler charges, for 3 other sites in 2026.
SBTi verified Near Term and Net Zero target, for Water Plus
The SBTi validated targets cover the below commitments to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain:
- In the near term, to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, by 25.3%, by financial year 2030, from a financial year 2024/2025 base year.
Within this target, Water Plus commits to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 42% and Scope 3 GHG emissions by 25% by the 2030 financial year.
- And to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, by 90%, by financial year 2040, from a financial year 2024/2025 base year.
SBTi classifies greenhouse gas emissions in three scopes:
Scope 1 – direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by a company.
Scope 2 – indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling.
Scope 3 – other emissions associated with a company’s activities.
Water Plus is also tracking homeworking and business hotel stays, amongst Scope 3 emissions, as it continues gathering additional data around carbon emissions and exploring more areas where carbon emissions can be reduced.
In 2026, the Water Plus’s teams actions to drive customer experience enhancements and improvements has seen it named Best Business Water Retailer, in the UK Enterprise Awards 2026.
It’s also seen recognition including being a Finalist for two 2026 UK Customer Satisfaction Awards, after winning a 2025 UK Customer Satisfaction Award, for Sustainable Customer Service, from best practice leaders the Institute of Customer Service.
And Water Plus was a Finalist in the Water Industry Awards 2026, for Water Efficiency Project of the Year.
In other actions, in support of Sustainable Development Goals, Water Plus has also supported projects that prevent carbon emissions, including peatland restoration in Scotland and seagrass restoration around the UK.
More on the projects Water Plus supports, to help decarbonisation and deliver positive results and benefits for communities, in the UK, at: water-plus.co.uk/about-us/corporate-social-responsibility-sustainability/
