WWF and ScottishPower launch major new partnership
Organisations pledge to work together to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero and call for ambitious climate action at the UN Climate Summit COP26
Joint research to demonstrate value of low carbon technology
Partnership launches with projection of iconic WWF Panda onto ScottishPower’s Glasgow HQ, which overlooks the COP26 venue
WWF, the world's leading independent conservation organisation and UK energy company ScottishPower, today (20 September) announce a significant new partnership to help accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero as Great British Green Week gets under way.
The unique link-up, launched ahead of the United Nations climate change conference (COP26), will see the two organisations working together to accelerate the UK’s net zero transition by championing low carbon energy solutions and jointly calling for ambitious climate action from the UK Government and local authorities across the nations of the UK.
ScottishPower is the first integrated energy company in the UK to generate 100% green electricity and one of the biggest developers and generators of renewable electricity in the UK and Ireland with over 40 windfarms, both onshore and offshore.
Today’s announcement marks the first time in more than 10 years that WWF has worked in partnership with a UK energy company and the partnership will initially focus on the decarbonisation of homes, with 14 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions currently coming from housing.
WWF and ScottishPower will undertake joint research into how the installation of low-carbon technologies, such as heat pumps and battery storage, could add value to individual homes, examine ways in which homeowners could be supported to make the upgrades more easily and families could save money on power bills.
Tanya Steele, chief executive at WWF, said: “The UN Climate Summit, COP26, provides an historic opportunity for the UK government to live up to its promises and keep our climate safe. By working with ScottishPower, a climate leader in the UK’s energy sector we can provide expertise and solutions to help drive the UK’s net zero transition. Time is running out and we need urgent action to reduce emissions for our own sakes and the sake of future generations.”
Keith Anderson, ScottishPower Chief Executive, said: “The work of WWF to highlight and address the climate crisis is truly inspiring and I’m incredibly proud that it recognises ScottishPower as a leader towards achieving a decarbonised future for the UK.
“We closed our coal plants, ditched gas generation and built onshore, offshore and solar generation and are investing £10billion over five years to help deliver the changes needed to support net zero targets and the hope of keeping 1.5C – the goal to limit global warming – alive.
“To embrace a cleaner, greener future our cities, communities, businesses and governments all need to work together to innovate and find ways to do things differently, faster. By partnering with WWF and with COP26 fast approaching, we want to show that looking after our planet is good for business and help create a net zero economy that’s fair for all.”
A Principal Partner for COP26 in Glasgow, ScottishPower is investing £10billion in the UK over five years – £6 million every working day – to double its renewable generation capacity and drive forward decarbonisation.
Its plans include new solar, wind and battery infrastructure, green hydrogen facilities and undertaking the mammoth task of upgrading parts of the country’s energy network to accommodate the expected rapid increase in demand for electricity.