EQUANS revises net zero roadmap bringing forward targets by more than a decade

EQUANS UK & Ireland has strengthened its existing commitment to decarbonisation by publishing a revised net zero roadmap.

The roadmap accelerates company-wide reductions in scope 1 and 2 emissions by more than a decade with new enhanced targets for net zero set at by 2030 for offices, construction sites and fleet, and by 2035 for heat networks. Both targets were previously set to reach net zero by 2045.

EQUANS says the move means that the business has a clearly defined path to reduce emissions in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and a 1.5-degree global warming scenario as set out in the goals of the Paris Agreement. These new targets and annual progress against them will be submitted for approval and then independently validated against a framework of internationally recognised science-based criteria set by Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

EQUANS UK & Ireland’s target for net zero in Scope 3 emissions, which includes indirect emissions such as travel, grey fleet, water, waste, services delivered to clients and supply chain remains unchanged at 2045.

The new roadmap and strengthened targets have been made following a succession of actions undertaken by the business since 2017. These include a reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions of over 13,000 tonnes from office sites, travel and through initiatives such as the introduction of over 800 new electric vehicles – equating to c. 25 per cent of the current EQUANS UK & Ireland fleet.

The business will continue to follow the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Greenhouse Gas Management Hierarchy to guide its net zero strategy decision making, with a focus on elimination, substitution, and reduction of carbon emissions. Net Zero will be achieved through a series of direct actions across all three scopes, with carbon offset only considered as a very last resort.

To support the roadmap’s strategy, the business has also developed a robust governance framework consisting of several net zero carbon workstreams, each with Executive-level sponsors. As a result, accountability rests at the highest level of the organisation. EQUANS will also call upon the strong energy services expertise of its own teams to deliver decarbonisation plans across its operations.

The UK & Ireland net zero targets will form part of EQUANS’ wider global IMPACT framework of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments, balancing global initiatives with local action.

Beyond its own journey, EQUANS is also committed to combining its expertise to support its clients in their own energy and net zero transitions and has helped them collectively reduce their emissions by over 400,000 tonnes over the last  five years.

Jean-Philippe Loiseau, CEO of EQUANS UK & Ireland said: “Answering the climate emergency remains the most important challenge of our times. We are proud to lead by example through accelerating our commitment to reach net zero with the implementation of our new roadmap and by committing to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

“Aside from our own actions, we also take seriously our role as an enabler for many of our customers in their own energy transition and net zero journey. They are able to benefit from the unique depth of expertise we have gained over many years in both decarbonisation and the development of net zero solutions – something which remains a real differentiator within our sector. We hope that by sharing our own commitments and progress we will inspire others to themselves take enhanced action to make net zero carbon happen”