Urenco ChemPlants owns and will operate our most recent nuclear new build, Urenco’s Tails Management Facility.
Urenco ChemPlants Read moreSee what actions we are taking to achieve net zero by 2040 in our net zero transition plan.
Read it hereOur increased order book and solid financial and operational performance provide basis for future growth.
Read our latest reportWhat is net zero?
Net zero carbon refers to achieving a state in which the carbon emitted into the atmosphere is balanced by the carbon removed from it. For this to occur, the amount of carbon added to the atmosphere must not exceed the amount removed.
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In 2021, we committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 as part of The Climate Pledge.
To support the achievement of our net zero goal, we have set ambitious targets for 2030, which have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
Scope 1 & 2:
90% absolute reduction in carbon emissions by 2030
Scope 3:
30% absolute reduction in carbon emissions by 2030
Discover our ambitions and how we plan to acheive them:
Our transition to net zeroScope 1 emissions
These are direct greenhouse gas emissions, which are produced through means that Urenco owns or controls. Examples include the combustion of fuels in boilers and diesel and petrol used in Urenco owned road vehicles.
Scope 2 emissions
These are made by the generation of electricity, heat or steam that is supplied by other organisations but consumed by Urenco at our sites. The greenhouse gases are emitted in a location not owned or operated by Urenco but the responsibility lies with Urenco to report on these emissions.
Scope 3 emissions
These are emissions from sources that are not owned or controlled by Urenco, but which result from our operation. Scope 3 covers the wider value chain, including mining and extraction of raw materials, transportation of products, services to and from our sites and employee travel to and from work.
Here are a few initiatives we have implemented to help us reduce our carbon emissions and contribute to a net zero world.
We actively monitor our environmental impact to ensure we strive to reduce our carbon emissions and water usage, and improve our energy efficiency. To encourage reductions across our group, our new key performance indicators (KPIs) set targets to ensure we are making the progress necessary to contribute to a net zero world and manage our environmental impact. View our longer term KPIs on our governance and ethics page.
We manage our environmental impact in several ways. For example, our dedicated net zero taskforce across all our sites focuses on energy efficiency, water saving and eliminating scope 1 emissions (e.g. natural gas). We have implemented different water saving initiatives, including rainwater harvesting at our Tails Management Facility. Each operating site is also developing a net zero action plan to tackle our carbon emissions and keep Urenco on the road to net zero.
We are involved in bringing forward exciting new developments by actively engaging with our key stakeholders. Our investment in research and development ensures our portfolio of products and services continues to grow. In October 2021, we expanded our Stable Isotopes facility to meet the demand for products in the medical field, including products used in MRI imaging to detect lung diseases. Urenco Stable Isotopes is also conducting research to discover solutions for cancer treatment. Additionally, U-Battery continues to innovate and develop: a full scale, first of its kind, mock-up of the main vessels of an advanced modular reactor was revealed in 2021.
Responsible uranium stewardship continues to be a key element of our commitment to sustainability. We have two dedicated UK subsidiaries, Urenco Nuclear Stewardship and Urenco ChemPlants, as well as our Tails Management Facility (TMF), that provide expertise in the responsible management of nuclear material.
We ensure the safe and responsible management and disposal of nuclear materials. We monitor our waste so that we continue to minimise our environmental impact, as well as comply with environmental legislation.
Nuclear has saved the UK 2.3 billion tonnes of CO2, far more than any other energy source
Nuclear has avoided 70 billion tonnes of CO2 globally since the industry began
One kilogram of uranium can release 3 million times more energy than a kilogram of coal
Nuclear is a proven low carbon energy source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and can help replace our reliance on fossil fuels
Nuclear and various renewables can be used together to provide efficient and affordable clean energy
Nuclear energy and the nuclear industry are heavily aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support sustainable development