The Victorian water sector aims to achieve net-zero emissions by at least 2035. By acting now, the sector can tackle climate change and reach this ambitious target.

In 2024-2025, the Victorian water sector’s net emissions were 49% lower compared to the sector’s record high emissions in 2019–20. Now, annual emissions are down by roughly 398,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases – which is the same as taking around 146,000 cars off Victoria’s roads for a year.

This chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions created by water corporations. It includes direct emissions from wastewater treatment plants (called scope 1) and indirect emissions from electricity use (called scope 2). Since the 2019–20 financial year, total emissions have been going down. By the 2024–25 financial year, emissions were 45.5% lower than baseline, at 477,639 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The baseline is the average yearly emissions from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2016. The data comes from water corporation annual reports. For the years 2017–18 to 2020–21, scope 1 and 2 emissions were estimated using the total net emissions reported. In 2024–25, one water corporation also used high quality carbon offsets to reduce emissions.

This chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions created by water corporations.

It includes direct emissions from wastewater treatment plants (called scope 1) and indirect emissions from electricity use (called scope 2).

Since the 2019–20 financial year, total emissions have been going down. By the 2024–25 financial year, emissions were 45.5% lower than baseline, at 477,639 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The baseline is the average yearly emissions from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2016. The data comes from water corporation annual reports.

For the years 2017–18 to 2020–21, scope 1 and 2 emissions were estimated using the total net emissions reported.

In 2024–25, one water corporation also used high‑quality carbon offsets to reduce emissions.

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The water sector is cutting emissions by investing in renewable energy generation, transitioning to zero emissions vehicles, piloting innovative technology to reduce wastewater emissions and purchasing carbon offsets.

If you want to learn more about the different types of water sector emissions, visit: Greenhouse gas emissions from the water sector.

Our water sector is focused on reaching net zero by addressing the water industry’s toughest emissions through leadership, collaboration and innovation.

Some of these projects are detailed below, with more case studies contained in the Water Sector Emissions Transition Plan.

Case studies

Page last updated: 07/05/26