Our vision is to be a sustainable networks business that delivers for our communities and workforce across our network areas – all the way from Anstruther to Anglesey.
As the only network operator in the UK to serve communities across England,
Scotland, and Wales, we’re in a unique position to make a real and lasting difference that delivers value and benefits for local people and communities as we work towards a cleaner and greener future.
At the heart of this is embedding our ‘just transition’ principles into everything we do. But what is a just transition?
We all know that the impacts from climate change are most affecting those least responsible for global emissions and those least able to adapt to the changes we’re seeing. A just transition is being mindful of this as we move from a carbon-intensive society that relies on fossil fuels like oil and gas to a cleaner and greener economy powered by electricity.
What makes it a just and sustainable energy transition is by delivering positive change and benefits while minimising the burdens and any negative impact in a fair and equitable way –ensuring no one gets left behind.
In practice, this means ensuring we take everyone – regardless of whether they are more or less likely to have access to low-carbon technologies like electric vehicles, heat pumps or solar panels – with us on the journey.
To guide us along that road, we’ve embedded four just transition principles across our business:
- Taking a purposeful approach and reducing our own carbon footprint – walking the walk as well as talking the talk.
- Supporting all our customers – especially the most vulnerable – and working to ensure fair and equal access to the benefits of the energy transition.
- Working with and empowering our communities to have their say and make a difference.
- Investing in our people through knowledge-sharing and opportunity to create a positive and fair working environment.
One year on from the adoption of these principles and the publication of our Just Transition Strategy – a first from an electricity network operator – we’ve now published our inaugural Just Transition Annual Report.
It sets out our progress over the last year against the bold ambitions we’ve set for ourselves. It’s great to see that there are lots of positive and encouraging stories to tell – how we’ve embedded new ways of working, how we’re using tools and technology to increase support for our communities and customers, and how we’re creating innovative partnerships that help us reach more and more people.
It also features strong case studies that showcase the difference our actions are making on a day-to-day basis – the work programmes that increase workforce agility and offer opportunities for all, the grant funding to support local net zero projects, the schemes to help our supply chain become more sustainable.
All in all, things are moving in the right direction.
However, we cannot underestimate the challenges we, as a society, face in the months and years ahead.
A transformation like this takes a huge amount of time and effort, and we can’t do it alone. Collaboration is key – with colleagues, customers, communities, governments, partners, stakeholders, and suppliers.
It’s only with that collective drive and commitment that a just and sustainable energy transition can, and will, become a reality – not just for us as a business, but for society as a whole.
Our Just Transition Report confirms we’ve got the right foundations and building blocks in place, and we’ll continue to lead the ways towards a cleaner, greener, fairer and better future for us all.
Read our Just Transition report at Reports and Publications.
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