The UK recycling and waste management sector has committed to delivering a stretching net zero emissions target, a decade ahead of the Government’s deadline, in a boost to the UK’s decarbonisation agenda.
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) claims that its members have committed to investing £10 billion ($13.8bn) and creating 40,000 new jobs over the next decade to deliver on a target of an 8 per cent reduction in UK total greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040.
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The sector has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 per cent since 1990. To go further and faster and deliver its 2040 target, ESA members will invest in recycling infrastructure to drive up recycling rates and cut down waste; and increasing capture of methane emissions, the most potent form, by 85 per cent from landfill by 2030.
They will also decarbonise non-recyclable waste treatment by diverting organic waste from landfill to recycling and energy production by 2030, and rolling out carbon capture technology across energy from waste facilities by 2040 where feasible.
Gavin Graveson, chairman of the ESA, said: “Our sector has made tremendous and rapid progress on decarbonisation but the climate crisis continues to accelerate and our sector is determined to embrace the challenge by doing more to ensure we hit net zero.”
Jacob Hayler, executive director of the ESA, added: “Our members have committed to an ambitious target and we have developed a clear and detailed plan to get there. This is an urgent and important task for the UK, which we are excited, willing and able to invest behind. Critical to our success is a continuing constrictive partnership with Government to ensure the policy framework around decarbonisation continues to drive the right decisions, which will ensure we can accelerate the UK’s net zero ambition.
“The recycling and waste management sectors are key to the success of our reforms, from creating deposit return schemes for drinks containers to encouraging more recyclable packaging. This commitment will help the nation transform the way we deal with waste and reduce our emissions.”
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