A Stoke-on-Trent company has become the first business water retailer in the country to have its net zero targets validated by the globally-recognised Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Water Plus has committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, compared with its 2024/25 baseline.
The target takes account of water wholesaler targets for net zero by 2030 in England and 2040 in Scotland, part of the supply chain for all water retailers, under Scope 3.
It is also working towards a 25.3% reduction across the three scopes by 2030.
The company claims to lead the sector on larger-scale water savings at sites, whle helping customers accelerate progress on sustainability goals.
The SBTi validation follows the business water retailer becoming the first in the UK to gain a Net Zero standard.
Jason Scagell, Chief Executive of Water Plus, said: “This is a significant moment on our Net Zero journey and I’m proud that we are taking a leadership position in sustainability, as we encourage and help more organisations to reduce carbon emissions in the UK.
“We’re building more positive momentum, helping hundreds of business sites and more than 800 schools save more than 820,000 litres of water a day in 2026, which not only helps reduce carbon emissions in the UK, it can also help reduce pressure on water resources.”
Water Plus achieved a 39% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions between 2024/25 and 2025/26 in the move to new headquarters at Trentham Lakes, with further energy efficiency measures including additional LED lighting.
The company is also reporting significant water savings among the organisations it supports, including an average 48% reduction in daily water use at a Staffordshire site, with the customer estimated to be saving around £12,000 a year on annual wholesale water costs.
A leak repair at another site resulted in 744,000 litres of water being saved each day, with the company estimating a reduction of 263kg of CO2e daily.
And data loggers installed through Water Plus services have helped to save water and more than £638,000 in estimated annual wholesaler charges at three other sites this year.
