THE company responsible for helping the people of Shropshire to achieve their net zero ambitions is pledging to lead by example, by becoming its target by 2028 – 22 years ahead of UK and Welsh government targets.

In its latest Business Plan, Western Power Distribution (WPD), the electricity distribution network operator for the Midlands, South West and South Wales, has outlined how it will achieve this by tackling its own Business Carbon Footprint (BCF).

Andrew Martyr-Icke, WPD environment team manager, said the company needed to follow its own lesson to become net-zero.

He said: "Customers in Shropshire can’t get to net zero without WPD – but they also want to see us lead by example by tackling our own Business Carbon Footprint.

“If we solve the climate emergency and enable our children and grandchildren to live in a world that is not ruined by the impacts of climate change, that will be – for many people across the UK – because staff at WPD did what they needed to do by standing up to the challenge and making net zero happen.”

More than half of the company’s carbon emissions – 57 per cent – come from fuel consumed by its vehicles and generators.

By switching to electric vehicles (EVs) and phasing out diesel generators, WPD can make significant steps towards its net zero target.

WPD has pledged to replace at least 89 per cent of its existing operational vehicle fleet with EVs by 2028, installing EV charging at all operational sites as well as reducing business travel by encouraging more remote working and virtual meetings.

WPD is also working hard to enable customers to achieve their own net zero ambitions by preparing the network to connect thousands of low carbon technologies, like electric vehicle chargers, solar panels and heat pumps.

The company predicts that by 2028, an additional 1.5 million electric vehicles will be on the roads in its region, while 600,000 heat pumps will be installed.