Water Utilities ‘Forgotten' In Paris Climate Talks, Critic Says

Carbon emissions from water utilities ought to be a bigger focal point at climate talks in Paris this week, according to water expert Ger Bergkamp, who argues that “climate negotiators seem to have forgotten water exists.”

A high-stakes conference in Paris this week, known as COP21, aims to bring world leaders closer together on climate policy. President Obama is attending the talks. “The leaders have one mission: Agree on legally binding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions meant to hold global average temperatures short of a 2 degrees Celsius increase over preindustrial global temperatures,” CNN reported.

Are water issues getting enough play at the conference? Bergkamp, executive director of the International Water Association, says no. He says water ought to be a top priority at the conference.

“Water companies are typically energy intensive, between 10 percent and 35 percent of operational costs are on energy consumption,” Bergkamp argued in an opinion piece published by Reuters. “The water sector contributes between 2 to 5 percent of global carbon emissions, as well as contributing towards other greenhouse gas emissions, including nitrogen oxides and methane that have larger multiplier effects on global warming.”

Bergkamp says that new technologies, along with policies incentivizing energy efficiency, could help the water sector become energy and carbon neutral. “Water utilities in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands already operate energy neutral treatment plants,” he continued.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) urges water companies to be proactive about climate change.

“Water utilities should work closely with power suppliers to address issues related to the water-energy nexus. AWWA encourages and supports efforts by water utilities to examine their energy usage and carbon footprint, and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by developing energy efficiency and management plans. The development of ‘water footprints’ helps utilities and the communities they serve prioritize climate change responses and communicate them to the public,” the organization says.