Net Zero Fundamentals

The Net Zero Fundamentals series is a practical resource for water and wastewater utilities committed to climate leadership. By sharing real-world examples and clear implementation guidance on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while improving operations and financial performance, this series helps utilities embed climate action across their strategy, culture, and core operations.

Initiating Climate Action in the Water Sector

Water and wastewater utilities understand the urgency of climate action but lack clear, practical pathways to act. What’s often missing is practical guidance that connects organizational strategy and accountability to tangible actions—ones that benefit both utility performance and community resilience.

Net Zero Fundamentals provides a practical roadmap for turning climate ambition into action. With structured guidance, tested approaches, and peer examples to support the integration of emissions reduction strategies into planning, operations, investments, and partnerships.

The series is organized into four overarching themes: Leadership and Governance, Community and Collaboration, Performance and Prioritization, and Implementation and Integration. Each paper begins with framing of the core issue, followed by actionable steps and implementation insights. Real-world utility case studies are woven throughout to ground the guidance in practice and help readers adapt strategies to their local context.

Leadership and Governance

Washington Monument/Mall at sunset

Making the Business Case

Aligning climate initiatives with core business priorities
Sunset wind turbines field

Leadership Commitments and Strategic Alignment

Translating public commitments into organizational priorities and action with a case study from Denver Water
Man smiling in office building

Accountability, Staffing, and Organizational Culture

Building workforce capacity and an organizational culture for sustained progress with a case study from Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Community and Collaboration

People smiling and shaking hands outside during the day

Partnerships and Collaboration

Collaborating beyond the utility to scale impact with a case study from Metropolitan Council
Soybean field at sundown

Community and Ecological Co-Benefits

Using One Water to deliver climate, community, and ecological benefits with a case study from Yahara WINS

Performance and Prioritization

Skyline of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and the Monongahela River, USA on a sunny day.

GHG Inventory, Target Setting, and Disclosure

Foundations for credible, science-aligned climate action with a case study from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Rural farmland aerial view at sunset

Developing and Implementing a Climate Action Plan

Identifying practical pathways to reduce emissions with a case study from Valley Water

Implementation and Integration

Tucson Arizona at night framed by saguaro cactus and mountains

Integrating GHG Reductions in Capital Planning

Embedding climate considerations into infrastructure investment decisions with a case study from New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Foggy Minneapolis Skyline at Dusk with Traffic Light Trails

Reducing Direct GHG Emissions

Targeting emissions from operations and treatment processes with case studies from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and Columbus Division of Sewerage and Drainage
Florida wetlands sunset yellow sky

Reducing Purchased Energy GHG Emissions

Optimizing energy efficiency and transitioning to renewable sources with a case study from Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department
Water flowing into short waterfall

Reducing Value Chain GHG Emissions

Addressing embodied carbon throughout procurement and supplier relationships with a case study from King County Wastewater Treatment Division