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Chris Sargisson, CEO Norfolk Chambers of Commerce 

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I am writing to share an exciting update on the evolution of <a href="https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/about-us/who-we-are/innovation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anglian Water’s Innovation Shop Window</a>. Founded in 2015, the initiative originally focused on accelerating innovation in a small area centred on Newmarket in Suffolk. Through the success of this programme, 2021 will see a significant expansion in the Shop Window as it extends its geography, changes its decision-making structure, priorities, and approach to accelerating the rate of innovation whilst removing any potential barriers.This new, expanded geography now includes all or part of your region and has extended its functionality and capability to create more opportunities to&nbsp;fast-track&nbsp;innovation within Anglian Water. The former hub in Newmarket will remain a key&nbsp;focus&nbsp;of activity, but we will now include coastal locations, cities and&nbsp;several&nbsp;towns and villages providing different attributes.&nbsp;It creates a more representative cross-section of our whole region covering more than one million customers.&nbsp;The expanded area gives us access to a much broader range of assets and infrastructure on which to test innovative ideas and solutions. All of this will help us gather deeper insight across&nbsp;the Anglian Water region which will support our knowledge and accelerate&nbsp;innovation.&nbsp;The Shop Window is where we&nbsp;build&nbsp;our future state,&nbsp;today; in line with our <a href="https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/about-us/our-strategies-and-plans/future-challenges/strategic-direction-statement/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Strategic Direction Statement</a>, the Shop Window priorities are to help:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Create a resilient and intelligent water supply,·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exceed customer expectations,·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Create a flourishing environment,·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tackle climate change,·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unlock&nbsp;efficiency&nbsp;and·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Enable the workforce of the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some exciting projects have included Project FAWN, where we are exploring the use of Fibre Optic cables in our networks to monitor and provide resilient remote control of assets. There is also the potential to explore providing high speed broadband to our remote communities through partnership working.&nbsp;We are very proud of a business-wide innovation which has been implemented to reduce Anglian Water’s carbon footprint: <a href="https://www.hph-technology.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HpH Technology</a>. This new hydrolysis technology has the potential to maximise a plant’s biogas production even further than existing anaerobic digestion technology. HpH is now installed across four Anglian Water sludge treatment centres. Results to date have produced an average of over 1 MWH/TDS of renewable electricity from the biogas produced via its fleet of CHP engines – while producing a high-quality enhanced treated biosolids product for use in agriculture as a soil conditioner.In the wider innovation space, we are pleased to announce our success in securing funding for an industry-first project around whole life carbon. This was awarded as part of the first round of Ofwat’s <a href="https://waterinnovation.challenges.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Innovation in Water Challenge</a> in April. This will see us working in partnership with a number of organisations including Welsh Water to develop tools and processes required to support the cultural and behavioural changes necessary to deliver ultimately deliver ‘zero carbon emissions’ as a water industry.We know that the global challenges we face can feel daunting, but we also know that when we work together, towards a common goal, we can do anything we set our minds to. We want to make the east of England the healthiest, happiest, and most prosperous place to live in the UK, resilient to climate change and with a landscape rich in wildlife.To do this we are challenging ourselves to innovate constantly and to deliver ever better services.&nbsp;

Anglian Water’s Innovation Shop Window Evolution

Anglian Water has been working with Business in the Community’s (BITC)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bitc.org.uk/national-business-response-network/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Business Response Network</a>&nbsp;since the start of the pandemic. The network acts as a portal and matching service that enables charities and communities to highlight their most urgent needs and for businesses to step forward and support them. In the UK this has delivered 4000 successful matches.Peter Simpson, Anglian Water Chief Executive, chairs BITC's Regional Leadership Board, and has been a strong advocate for the initiative. In the east we have seen businesses stepping forward, through the network to provide IT equipment to support young people gain access to online learning, foodbanks with much needed stock, as well as temporary accommodation and clothing for the homeless. Additionally, the network provides creative support to keep isolated groups connected or craft packs to inspire parents and children during lockdown. Anglian Water recently donated a van to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/news/homeless-charity-receives-brand-new-vehicle-from-anglian-water/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ferry Project in Wisbech</a>, who collect and deliver food donations to people who are homeless or in need.Although there is a great deal to feel optimistic about as we recover from the pandemic, it’s impact will be wide reaching and long lasting. There is still a need for support, and this is where we ask for your help in promoting&nbsp;this service to charities and businesses in our communities through your channels.We ask that charities and community groups let us know their needs by logging them on the website. The top three requests for help are still food, clothing / toiletries and technology but we ask businesses to check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bitc.org.uk/national-business-response-network/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NBRN website</a>&nbsp;regularly and make offers of support where they can.&nbsp;By working together we can help the communities in the east of England get through the toughest test in many years.<a href="https://businessresponsecovid.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://businessresponsecovid.org.uk/</a>

 The network acts as a portal and matching service that enables charities and communities to highlight their most urgent needs and for businesses to step forward and support them.

Anglian Water Supports the National Business Response Network 

In 2019, Anglian Water, along with other water companies in the UK, pledged to reach net zero carbon by 2030. The company is playing a leading role in delivering this commitment through water industry body Water UK, which recently launched a ground-breaking route map setting out the trajectory, actions, opportunities and behaviours required to meet this hugely ambitious target. Anglian Water has a strong track record on <a href="https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/in-the-community/protecting-our-environment/climate-change/carbon-management/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">carbon</a>, having first set ambitious carbon reduction targets in 2010, and this year joining global sustainability organisation CDP’s prestigious ‘A list’ for its response to climate change.Working with its supply chain, Anglian Water has created a strong ‘reduce carbon, reduce cost’ culture involving the reuse of assets, low-carbon materials, off-site build, low-carbon standard products and advanced 3D design tools. Together with investment in renewable energy generation, this has delivered significant reductions in emissions, against the backdrop of an increasing population and tightening environmental standards. However, there is a recognition that there are many more opportunities to be explored and this can only be done through innovation and collaboration, not only within the water sector but beyond.Here in Norfolk we are uniquely susceptible to the impacts of climate change, which, along with population growth, is already placing pressure on our water resources and water recycling networks.&nbsp;Anglian Water recognises that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also the defining societal and economic challenge of our time, therefore achieving net zero by 2030 is part of its wider commitment to act in the public interest.&nbsp;If you wish to speak to Anglian Water about an innovation or opportunity for collaboration, please contact <a href="mailto:public.affairs@anglianwater.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">public.affairs@anglianwater.co.uk</a>

In 2019, Anglian Water, along with other water companies in the UK, pledged to reach net zero carbon by 2030. 

Anglian Water’s Journey to Net Zero Carbon

To mark the countdown to <a href="https://ukcop26.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">COP26</a> and following the announcement of the government’s ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution, I wanted to share with you the actions Anglian Water is taking to tackle the climate crisis we all face.Here in the East of England we are uniquely susceptible to the impacts of climate change which, along with population growth, is already placing pressure on our water resources and water recycling networks.&nbsp;We are wholly committed to playing our part in addressing these impacts to drive a resilient, sustainable future for our region; indeed our commitment to act in the public interest, and seeking the right outcomes for society and the environment, is enshrined in our company constitution through the changes we made to our <a href="https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/news/anglian-water-becomes-first-water-company-to-embed-public-interest-at-its-core/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Articles of Association in 2019.</a>Our commitment to the environment and to addressing the impacts of climate change also shapes how we finance our capital investments.&nbsp;We became the first European utility to launch a Sterling Green Bond back in 2017 and our <a href="https://www.awg.com/siteassets/investors/anglian-water-services---tc/green-bond-report-2020.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Green Bond Impact report</a> published this month highlights how we have continued our sustainable investment within the region, investing £876 million to date in around 850 projects since 2015.&nbsp;Together, these projects have saved over 160,000 tonnes of CO2e.This week we have been recognised for our leadership in corporate sustainability by global environmental disclosures organisation CDP, securing a prestigious A-List rating for our approach to tacking climate change.&nbsp;In a week that also saw the publication of our latest Climate Change <a href="https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/in-the-community/protecting-our-environment/climate-change/adapting-to-climate-change/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adaptation Report</a>, detailing the actions we have already undertaken and our future plans to ensure we adapt our operations and infrastructure to the increasing risks of drought and flood, together with other climate change risks, I hope you can see how important this is to us.&nbsp;These adaptation activities will be delivered alongside our commitment to become a net zero carbon business by 2030.&nbsp;We started this journey back in 2010 when we publicly announced our intent to actively reduce our carbon impact through stretching targets.&nbsp;Since then we have reduced capital carbon by 61% from a 2010 baseline and operational carbon by 34% since 2015.&nbsp;I am incredibly proud to be one of the three CEO’s leading the industry on the carbon challenge, and the first industry sector to make the commitment to become net zero by 2030.&nbsp;I personally want to see this ambition shared across the UK business sector and as co-Chair of the Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group have taken many opportunities to highlight the importance of tackling capital carbon alongside operational carbon.&nbsp;&nbsp;In September we achieved a significant milestone in our ambitious goal, energising a solar array at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmS1_SVlGek" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Grafham Water Treatment Works</a>. This renewable energy source will generate over a quarter of the energy used by the site over the course of the year and save around 3,500 tonnes of carbon annually, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the site.&nbsp;This is part of our renewable programme to install solar at a number of our operational sites over the next five years.Last month saw the launch of the <a href="https://www.water.org.uk/routemap2030/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Water UK routemap</a> on how the industry will become net zero by 2030.&nbsp;This sector route map provides the trajectory, actions, opportunities and behaviours required to meet this hugely ambitious target, hailed by the UK’s High Level Climate Action Champion Nigel Topping as “one of the most significant steps taken by any industry in the world”.&nbsp;We want to show leadership to set the pace for other energy intensive and utility sectors around the world.There are already great examples of innovation, significant increases in renewable energy generation and more recently electrification of vehicle fleets.&nbsp;However, we also recognise there are many more opportunities to be explored and this can only be done through innovation and collaboration, not only within the water sector but beyond. We are currently working to foster exactly this kind of shared learning and progress through <a href="https://www.innovateeast.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Innovate East</a>, our <a href="https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/news/2021-year-of-collaboration/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">partnership with Yorkshire Water and Essex and Suffolk Water</a>.&nbsp;This initiative will build on the route map and work to fast-track progress towards carbon targets by using the knowledge and insight of stakeholders both inside and outside the sector.&nbsp;We would like to invite you to collaborate through a series of virtual events, beginning in the spring, that build on the success of our inaugural Innovate East event in 2019 which brought together over 2,000 attendees from almost 300 organisations across the globe. We'll be in touch early next year with more details about the events and how you can get involved.I believe if we collaborate with others across sectors and look at the challenge holistically, reaching net zero and adapting to climate change gives us a huge opportunity to enhance our environment and drive social prosperity.&nbsp;I hope that you will continue to support and work with us as we collectively secure the green future that is within our grasp.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Peter Simpson, Chief Executive, Anglian Water

Anglian Water’s leading response to climate change

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