Yarra Valley Water is reporting net zero operational emissions for the 2025–26 financial year.
The result covers Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and positions the utility among leaders in the Victorian water sector.
Yarra Valley Water said the milestone has been reached four years ahead of obligations. The final position will be confirmed through the organisation’s annual reporting process, including data validation and carbon offset reconciliation.
Managing Director Natalie Foeng said the result reflects sustained action across the utility’s operations.
“We are reporting net zero operational emissions for 2025–26, showing what’s possible when you focus on real, practical action to tackle emissions,” Foeng said. “We’ve turned a clear commitment into action by improving how we operate, reducing energy use and transitioning to renewable electricity across our services.”
How did Yarra Valley Water reach net zero emissions?
Yarra Valley Water set a target to report net zero operational emissions for 2025–26. That target aligns with the Victorian Government’s Statement of Obligations (Emission Reduction). From 1 July 2025, the organisation will use 100 per cent renewable electricity across its operations. That shift has significantly reduced its emissions footprint.
The utility said renewable electricity has been supported by efficiency improvements and changes to how water and sewage services are delivered. Residual emissions that are difficult to eliminate entirely are addressed through high-integrity carbon offsets.
Yarra Valley Water said those offsets are Australian Government-accredited.
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Why does this matter for water utilities?
Water and wastewater services require energy for pumping, treatment, transfer and network operations. That makes electricity a major source of emissions for many utilities.
By reporting net zero operational emissions, Yarra Valley Water has shown how renewable electricity and operational improvements can reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
The milestone also comes as water utilities manage growing expectations around climate action, customer value and transparent emissions reporting.
This adds momentum to broader decarbonisation work across energy use, fleet transition, asset planning and treatment operations.
What happens next?
Yarra Valley Water said it will continue reducing emissions, including broader Scope 3 emissions over time. Scope 3 emissions can include indirect emissions linked to supply chains, goods, services and other activities outside direct operational control.
Foeng said the organisation would continue to take practical steps to reduce emissions before using offsets to cover the remaining portion.
“This is a significant milestone that shows how real-world changes can deliver meaningful reductions in emissions,” she said. “We’ve focused on practical changes across our sites to avoid and reduce emissions, before using offsets for the small amount that remains.”
Foeng said Yarra Valley Water would continue work across fleet, solar and renewable energy generation.
“We’re continuing to take action, from transitioning to an electric vehicle fleet to producing renewable electricity through solar and food waste, and we’ll continue to be transparent about how we report emissions and how we achieve net zero.”
