Icon Water planning for climate change
Icon Water are proud to release their Climate Change Adaptation Plan this World Environment Day.
“Like many Australian water utilities, Icon Water is affected by all aspects of climate change,” said Ben Bryant, Icon Water Manager Environment and Sustainability.
“Our business relies on weather and the water cycle – and the impact of climate change can have varying effects on our operations and assets, so it’s important that while we work to reduce our carbon footprint, we also have plans in place to adapt to climate change so that we can continue to provide an essential service to our community.”
Climate change is happening now. Australia’s climate has already reached 1°C above pre-industrial levels.
“We’re seeing temperatures warming and changes to our rainfall patterns, as well as a rise in extreme fire weather and an extension of the fire season. The past year alone has seen major impacts on what we do from drought and fire.
“While we have to deal with current impacts, we must always be planning for the future. To do this we have worked closely with all areas of our business to develop a plan that will build our resilience to existing and future climate change,” he said.
“In many ways this work is not new - climate change has been a factor in Icon Water’s planning for many years. Our Climate Change Adaptation Plan builds on our existing programs and is the culmination of research and consultation.”
The Plan sets outs how Icon Water will:
- continue to work to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency through emission reduction programs
- continue to collaborate with partners and the community through education and water conservation programs, to reduce the stress on our local catchments
- work with the community and supply chain to help prepare for and adapt to impacts of climate change
- ensure infrastructure can withstand changing climate conditions now and in the future.
“Our goal is always to minimise disruptions to essential service delivery and allow us to find new and better ways of serving our community and achieving our Core Purpose: to sustain and enhance the quality of life.”
World Environment Day, 5 June 2020, is a global platform for raising awareness and taking action on urgent environmental issues. This year’s theme is ‘Time for Nature’. A time to learn how all living things on Earth are connected in the web of life and how we can act to appreciate what nature provides for our planet.
Icon Water’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan is online: www.iconwater.com.au/climatechange