• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
Home News

Water company takes a stand on climate change

by Utility Journalist
December 9, 2019
in News, Water
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Leading companies from around the world, including a major Australian water company, are signing the United Nations (UN) Global Compact pledge in an effort to prevent worldwide temperature increases of more than 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050 – a change that poses significant issues, including the risk of water scarcity.

Yarra Valley Water has signed the Global Compact pledge, which coincides with the 25th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. According to Managing Director, Pat McCafferty, signing the pledge is consistent with the organisation’s climate change goals and current emissions reduction strategy.

“As a water utility, we’re very aware of the risk that climate change poses for our core business. A hotter and drier climate increases the risk of water scarcity, especially as Melbourne’s population rises and the demand for water grows,” Mr McCafferty said.

As part of signing the UN pledge, Yarra Valley Water will develop science-based targets to help guide its activities towards net-zero emissions and preventing temperature rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Yarra Valley Water is already well on its way to cost-effectively producing 100 per cent of its own renewable energy by 2025 by investing in key projects which are driving down its greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on traditional forms of electricity.

Yarra Valley Water’s flagship environmental project is its waste-to-energy plant which has been operating for over two years. The facility has converted more than 63,000 tonnes of commercial food waste into renewable energy capable of powering 1,500 homes.

The plant generates 25 per cent of Yarra Valley Water’s electricity requirements, delivering savings in energy costs and producing 90 per cent less greenhouse gas than if Yarra Valley Water used fossil fuel from the grid, and saves 8,500 tonnes of carbon per year.

Solar panels that generate energy for Yarra Valley Water’s head office, treatment plants and electric vehicle fleet, combined with a long-term power agreement with a solar farm in northern Victoria, are also enabling Yarra Valley Water to make strides towards its goal of producing 100 per cent of its own energy by 2025.

Signing the pledge follows Yarra Valley Water becoming the first water utility in Australia to commit to the UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals.

Pat McCafferty said that Yarra Valley Water is looking beyond being carbon neutral and exploring options for creating economically viable environmental value in the future.

“We’ve moved from compliance, to creating zero negative impact and we are now working towards becoming regenerative and creating extra value for the environment,” Mr McCafferty said.

“We have been on a continual path of exploration, learning by doing and we are committed to increasingly bolder ambitions for the environment in the future.”

Related Posts

NEAC director, Stephen Craig with a Living Lab participant. Image: CSIRO

New CSIRO analysis centre powering energy transition 

by Katie Livingston
July 17, 2025

CSIRO has launched the National Energy Analysis Centre (NEAC), which aims to support, accelerate and de-risk Australia’s complex energy transition.  ...

Image: Rädlinger 

Saving water and emissions

by Katie Livingston
July 16, 2025

Water is a valuable resource, and this is especially true in times of increasing weather extremes, such as floods or...

Image: Programmed

Bringing culture and connection to remote sites

by Katie Livingston
July 16, 2025

Beyond service delivery, Programmed helps build environments that foster connection, and support workforce morale in remote operations.  At 29Metals’ Golden...

Please login to join discussion

Read our magazine

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Utility is the title of choice for decision makers at all levels of water and energy utilities, as well as other major players like consulting engineers and first-tier contractors. Utility is integrated across print and online, and explores the biggest news and issues across the utility industry. It is Australia’s only dedicated utility magazine, and covers all areas of the utility sector, including water and sewer, gas, electricity, communications and the NBN.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Utility

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Digital magazine
  • Events
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • News
  • Water
  • Electricity
  • Projects
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment
  • Spotlight
  • Civil Construction
  • Renewable Energy

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited