‘Race to Zero’ calls for clean recovery from COVID-19

Could the world ‘recover better’ from COVID-19? National Grid is joining a new, global campaign for a zero carbon plan, Race to Zero, that believes it can. It’s designed to boost jobs, create sustainable growth and protect from future shocks.

We’re proud to support the Race to Zero campaign – a global effort from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that calls for a resilient, zero carbon recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Launching today to coincide with World Environment Day, 5 June , the campaign aims to mobilise leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and investors to encourage a global recovery programme. This will create jobs, unlock inclusive, sustainable growth and reduce the risk of future shocks.

We’re already off the blocks

In November last year, we announced a new target to reduce our own direct greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. We’re proud to have already achieved a 70% reduction in emissions and will shortly be publishing interim targets to ensure we have an ambitious pathway to net zero.

We’re committed to playing our part in the acceleration towards a cleaner future, that will deliver economic growth and opportunities for all.

– John Pettigrew, CEO, National Grid

“The decarbonisation of the energy system is one of the biggest challenges facing our world, and we’re committed to playing our part in the acceleration towards a cleaner future, that will deliver economic growth and opportunities for all,” explains John Pettigrew, CEO, National Grid.

Key initiatives we have underway to further reduce emissions across our business include:

• The conversion of our global fleet to alternative fuel vehicles
• A reduction in SF6 emissions (used in high-voltage switchgear and other electrical equipment) and a move to alternatives
• Increasing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy
• Researching hydrogen and renewable natural gas, as well as how we can facilitate their use.

Cutting indirect emissions too

We’re working with our supply chain and communities to reduce indirect emissions and have set ourselves a net zero target for UK electricity construction projects by 2025/6. This will include incentivising low carbon design for major initiatives such as London Power Tunnels and using sustainable construction materials.

We’ve also launched the world’s first carbon intensity forecast which provides a regional breakdown, allowing UK consumers to identify times when the grid’s carbon factor is lowest. This can even be linked up with smart devices to drive down emissions.

Encouraging energy efficiency

In the US, we’re helping our customers to use energy more efficiently at home and at work, delivering savings of over 725,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2019. We’re also a key player in supporting the growth of solar and wind developments in North America through Geronimo Energy. We’re also working to advance the energy systems of tomorrow through our $250m ventures investment and innovation fund, National Grid Partners.