The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Emissions from households’ water use are on a par with aviation. The big cuts and savings they can make are being neglected

  • Written by Steven Kenway, Research Group Leader, Water-Energy-Carbon, The University of Queensland
Emissions from households’ water use are on a par with aviation. The big cuts and savings they can make are being neglected

Why is there such a big gap between people, industries and government agreeing we need urgent action on climate change, and actually starting? Scope 3 emissions are a great example. These are greenhouse gas emissions that organisations can influence, but don’t directly control.

Our research[1] has identified the benefits of tackling these emissions in Australia’s urban water sector. If we consider the energy we use to heat water, water costs us far more than we think. It’s an issue of cost of living as well as water supply and energy infrastructure.

In Victoria, for example, water utilities are the largest source[2] (about a quarter) of scope 1 and 2 emissions from the government sector. Scope 1 emissions come from activities utilities directly control, such as driving their vehicles. Scope 2 emissions are from the energy they buy.

Our research has found the gains from pursuing scope 3 emissions from the use of water that utilities supply could be about ten times bigger than their planned reductions in scope 1 and 2 emissions.

Extrapolating from Melbourne household data suggests domestic water heating accounts for 3.8% of each person’s share[3] of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions – on a par with the 4.1% from aviation. Our research[4] indicates that in Melbourne alone a city-wide program to retrofit showerheads could, by reducing water and energy use, have the same impact on emissions as taking tens of thousands of cars off the road.

Such a program would cost much less than all other renewable energy investments water utilities are making. It would also save water users money.

Read more: Australian homes can be made climate-ready, reducing bills and emissions – a new report shows how[5]

How to tackle scope 3 emissions

Water utilities don’t directly control scope 3 emissions, but they could influence what customers do. If they encourage more efficient water use[6], customers use less water[7] and, in turn, less energy to heat it.

Water utilities account for 24% of scope 1 and 2 emissions[8] from the Victorian government sector. While the sector has shown leadership in acting on these emissions, there is very little active accountability for, or even quantification of, scope 3 emissions.

Graph showing the sources of stage 1 and 2 emissions from the Victorian water sector
Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, CC BY[9][10] Our research[11] has found a Melbourne-wide program to retrofit showerheads to next-generation technology could save 12-27 billion litres (GL) of water a year (about 6% of current use). The resulting energy savings would be 380-885GWh per year, cutting emissions by 98,000-226,000 tonnes. That equates to taking 21,000 to 49,000 cars off the roads. Customers would also save up to $160 a year on their bills. The full economic benefit to society is more than five times the cost of the program. Read more: How to maximise savings from your home solar system and slash your power bills[12] Who influences water use? Everyone Helping customers adopt highly efficient showerheads could cut emissions at much lower cost than all other renewable energy investments water utilities are making. Most households don’t realise hot water systems account for around 24% of their total energy use. Their total energy use for water heating[13] is larger as it includes appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and kettles. An even larger percentage of household energy use is “water-related” if pool filtration, rainwater tank pumps and so on are included. Read more: Using electric water heaters to store renewable energy could do the work of 2 million home batteries – and save us billions[14] We think only of the savings on water bills, but efficient water use also affects our power bills and emissions. But communicating the link isn’t easy. Showerhead manufacturers tell us they aren’t promoting efficient showerheads because they respond to demand. Water utilities don’t invest in them because it is a present cost for a future benefit – it doesn’t help them balance their budgets. And for policymakers it’s hard to celebrate the water and energy you don’t need to consume. The combined impact is lack of action on saving water to reduce emissions – even though it’s a great option. A ‘tragedy of the commons’ dilemma Without direct control or accountability by any one organisation, we face a “tragedy of the commons[15]” – individuals overconsuming a shared resource at the wider expense of society. The limited resource today is the ability of our planet to process greenhouse gas emissions before they change our climate. The tragedy of the commons was used to describe externalities: costs borne by others that a decision-maker does not pay for. Examples include the future costs of increased flooding, more severe droughts and bushfires, and rising sea levels. If we fully considered the costs and benefits to consumers and society (rather than just costs to utilities), investment priorities would change towards “least cost to the community” solutions. Many water utilities will be carbon-neutral for scope 1 and 2 by 2025. This means they are at the global forefront of reducing emissions – but the water industry can do much more by tackling scope 3 emissions. Committing to a scope 3 reduction challenges a water company to move toward things it can only influence rather than control. So, does it pursue all possibilities, without knowing if it can cut emissions? Or does it take a conservative approach and commit to only scope 1 and 2 emissions? Reducing emissions from water use requires community, industry and government to act together. The stumbling block is decision-making and current legislation. A road runs along the top of the Thomson Dam wall Water utilities have focused on cutting their own emissions and costs, neglecting the much bigger gains to be had from changing water users’ behaviour. Simon Maddock/Shutterstock[16] Read more: All-electric homes are better for your hip pocket and the planet. Here's how governments can help us get off gas[17] So, what is the solution? First, we need to call out the problem. Second, we must find a way to ensure the reward for pursuing action is higher than the penalty for failure. A key to this will be highlighting how much cheaper and better many actions are that focus on scope 3 emissions, rather than solely “within business” strategies. We need to find solutions that are genuinely “least cost to community” rather than “least cost to individual business entities”. Third, as a “commons”, this challenge must be communicated beyond utilities and government to communities. There needs to be broad understanding of the benefits of new approaches and of the pitfalls of a “do nothing” approach. Big savings are up for grabs in the water industry. More broadly, all industries (from manufacturing to mining) need to consider scope 3 emissions from use of the products they sell. References^ Our research (www.monash.edu)^ largest source (www.water.vic.gov.au)^ 3.8% of each person’s share (www.monash.edu)^ Our research (www.monash.edu)^ Australian homes can be made climate-ready, reducing bills and emissions – a new report shows how (theconversation.com)^ encourage more efficient water use (www.monash.edu)^ customers use less water (www.wsaa.asn.au)^ 24% of scope 1 and 2 emissions (www.water.vic.gov.au)^ Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (www.water.vic.gov.au)^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)^ Our research (www.monash.edu)^ How to maximise savings from your home solar system and slash your power bills (theconversation.com)^ energy use for water heating (www.energyrating.gov.au)^ Using electric water heaters to store renewable energy could do the work of 2 million home batteries – and save us billions (theconversation.com)^ tragedy of the commons (www.britannica.com)^ Simon Maddock/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)^ All-electric homes are better for your hip pocket and the planet. Here's how governments can help us get off gas (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/emissions-from-households-water-use-are-on-a-par-with-aviation-the-big-cuts-and-savings-they-can-make-are-being-neglected-221853

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...