Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 “Indirect” emissions from residential hot water
The water sector could play a major role towards a Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) future if Scope 3 emissions were embraced and operationalised. Significant opportunities and challenges exist in tackling Scope 3 emissions including those associated with customer hot water use. Present GHG emission re...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Water Research X |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589914723000282 |
| _version_ | 1797405387622711296 |
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| author | S.J. Kenway F. Pamminger G. Yan R. Hall K.L. Lam R. Skinner G. Olsson P. Satur J. Allan |
| author_facet | S.J. Kenway F. Pamminger G. Yan R. Hall K.L. Lam R. Skinner G. Olsson P. Satur J. Allan |
| author_sort | S.J. Kenway |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The water sector could play a major role towards a Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) future if Scope 3 emissions were embraced and operationalised. Significant opportunities and challenges exist in tackling Scope 3 emissions including those associated with customer hot water use. Present GHG emission reduction practices predominantly focus on Scope 1 “within utility” and Scope 2 “purchased energy” emissions. In the urban water cycle, Scope 3 “indirect” emissions dominate, and water use is only one example of Scope 3 emissions. Over 90% of all water cycle GHG emissions can be attributed to water use in residential, industrial and commercial premises, collectively some 7% of global GHG emissions. One possibility is for water utilities to actively support efficient hot water use such as new ultra-low flow shower heads. Scope 3 opportunities also offer a range of cost-effective emissions-reduction opportunities, particularly when the wider perspective of “community value” is considered and not just a “business financial perspective”. Hot water efficiency is additionally essential to Net Zero carbon futures, even with decarbonised grids, because most major Net Zero roadmaps require energy efficiency gains. Scientific and management advance needed includes: accounting methodologies, clear roles, collaboration, new business models, and clear definitions. The water sector has the opportunity to play a significant role in achieving Net Zero cities. The decision how much is yet to be made. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:09:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-db95dbaa501646fda5bfe6d989ec853b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2589-9147 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:09:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water Research X |
| spelling | doaj.art-db95dbaa501646fda5bfe6d989ec853b2023-12-04T05:23:50ZengElsevierWater Research X2589-91472023-12-0121100192Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 “Indirect” emissions from residential hot waterS.J. Kenway0F. Pamminger1G. Yan2R. Hall3K.L. Lam4R. Skinner5G. Olsson6P. Satur7J. Allan8Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia; Corresponding author.FUTURE by Nature, Melbourne, AustraliaAustralian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, AustraliaAustralian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, AustraliaDivision of Natural and Applied Sciences, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215316, ChinaMonash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton, AustraliaDivision of Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation (IEA), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, SwedenMonash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton, AustraliaAustralian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, AustraliaThe water sector could play a major role towards a Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) future if Scope 3 emissions were embraced and operationalised. Significant opportunities and challenges exist in tackling Scope 3 emissions including those associated with customer hot water use. Present GHG emission reduction practices predominantly focus on Scope 1 “within utility” and Scope 2 “purchased energy” emissions. In the urban water cycle, Scope 3 “indirect” emissions dominate, and water use is only one example of Scope 3 emissions. Over 90% of all water cycle GHG emissions can be attributed to water use in residential, industrial and commercial premises, collectively some 7% of global GHG emissions. One possibility is for water utilities to actively support efficient hot water use such as new ultra-low flow shower heads. Scope 3 opportunities also offer a range of cost-effective emissions-reduction opportunities, particularly when the wider perspective of “community value” is considered and not just a “business financial perspective”. Hot water efficiency is additionally essential to Net Zero carbon futures, even with decarbonised grids, because most major Net Zero roadmaps require energy efficiency gains. Scientific and management advance needed includes: accounting methodologies, clear roles, collaboration, new business models, and clear definitions. The water sector has the opportunity to play a significant role in achieving Net Zero cities. The decision how much is yet to be made.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589914723000282Greenhouse gas emissionsScope 3WaterEnergyResidential hot water |
| spellingShingle | S.J. Kenway F. Pamminger G. Yan R. Hall K.L. Lam R. Skinner G. Olsson P. Satur J. Allan Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 “Indirect” emissions from residential hot water Water Research X Greenhouse gas emissions Scope 3 Water Energy Residential hot water |
| title | Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 “Indirect” emissions from residential hot water |
| title_full | Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 “Indirect” emissions from residential hot water |
| title_fullStr | Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 “Indirect” emissions from residential hot water |
| title_full_unstemmed | Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 “Indirect” emissions from residential hot water |
| title_short | Opportunities and challenges of tackling Scope 3 “Indirect” emissions from residential hot water |
| title_sort | opportunities and challenges of tackling scope 3 indirect emissions from residential hot water |
| topic | Greenhouse gas emissions Scope 3 Water Energy Residential hot water |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589914723000282 |
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