Working towards a sustainable future

From 25th September to 1st of October we are using Scotland’s Climate Week to highlight some of the work we are doing here at Watermiser to reach our NetZero targets.

Scotland’s Climate Week 2023

Delivered annually since 2016, Climate Week is a Scottish Government initiative with support across Scotland’s communities and organisations, celebrating and encouraging climate action throughout the country.

The climate crisis is already significantly impacting countries around the world, including Scotland. But by working together, we can reduce our emissions to net zero and limit further damage.
Climate Week ran from 25th September to 1st of October and the focus for 2023 has been on taking action in the areas that make the most difference – travel and heating.

Our actions

NetZero targets

Using our baseline of 2021, we’ve set challenging 40% GHG reduction targets based on the Science Based Target initiative’s methodology, and we’ve identified a number of projects to help us start reducing our emissions. We are part of a worldwide group of organisations, the SME Climate Hub, which means we have publicly committed to these targets and have undertaken Carbon Champion training. We hope we can inspire others to take action and work together in tackling this climate emergency.

Heating and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

We have already completed some projects and made changes in our journey towards NetZero.

Our recently installed destratification fans should reduce our workshop gas consumption by around 10% by circulating the air within the workshop. Warm air naturally rises to the roof and ushes colder air down to floor level where the team are working. If the air is continually mixed and redirected back down to the lower levels, the employees will feel the benefit and the workshop heating system won’t have to work so hard.

The electrification of our office heating, new heating controls and the planned Solar PV install should result in at least another 10% reduction in heating GHG emissions.

Our People

Watermiser understands that every individual and business must play its part in the fight against climate change. To help us navigate our journey to Net Zero, we recruited for a new role to work with both Watermiser and sister company, Dustacco Engineering. Our Environmental Lead, Nicola, joined the team May 2022.

Nicola said

A big part of my role so far, has been the completion of the business’ carbon footprint and establishing a baseline year. I’ve used the Science Based Target initiative’s methodology to set our Net Zero by 2030 targets. We’re on track to surpass our interim 10% reduction in GHG emissions by 2023 target and I’ll continue to research and implement new ideas, projects, policies and behaviour changes to keep reducing our business emissions year on year. As well as monitoring our GHG emissions and updating the carbon footprint each year, I’ve implemented a new sustainability route map to allow us to track our progress in other areas such as community outreach, education, biodiversity, and staff wellbeing initiatives. I love my role here and it’s refreshing to be part of a SME team who aspire to the bigger picture of a Wellbeing Economy – good lives on a healthy planet

Green Fleet Policy

Transport is Scotland’s biggest contributor to climate change, especially cars which is why we have introduced a Green Fleet Policy to support the reduction in business transport greenhouse gas emissions. The policy stipulates that company cars must be ULEV electric or hybrid, no further ICE vehicles will be procured.

This has led to the installation of EV charging points available for all staff, contractors, and site visitors to use. The policy also underlines that all employees will be supported to work from home where feasible to reduce unnecessary journeys and to utilise active travel. New cycle parking is in the planning, and we have partnered with local social enterprise Cycle Station to increase access to bikes for employees and their families.

Our sustainability route map

In addition to our Net Zero targets and carbon reduction plans, we’ve created a sustainability route map to highlight our strategy and help us track our progress towards improving our business’ impact on biodiversity, local community and workforce wellbeing.

Projects include planting around the site yard with native species beneficial to our local pollinators, partnerships with local social enterprises Cycle Station and Sports Darvel, and reaching out to local schools to offer support with fundraising, STEM, career days and engineering projects.

Our products and manufacturing

Here at Watermiser we pride ourselves on being sustainable. We strive to keep our towers as sustainable as possible, all manufactured in the UK.

• Long lifespan
• Low energy production
• Recyclable
• Low maintenance
• Cost effective
• Energy efficient motors

Through all of these commitments and changes we hope to continue setting an example and supporting our local community and Scotland and the UK as a whole as we move towards Net Zero goals.