05/02/2008

Senior manager David Chapman has been appointed as Northumbrian Water’s first climate change champion.

David will lead the company’s strategy and action to tackle the causes of climate change and its impact.

As Climate Change Manager he will strive to make the company as efficient and climate-friendly as possible by cutting its carbon emissions, reducing the amount of energy used and collecting, collating and using weather data.

The aim is to move as far towards carbon neutrality in the company’s water and waste water operations as possible. The water business is one which uses large amounts of energy and will reduce its emissions. 

David has a company-wide role working with Northumbrian Water in the North East where the company delivers both drinking water and waste water treatment to 2.6million customers and in Essex & Suffolk where the company supplies drinking water to 1.8million customers.

He lives in Norwich and was born in Manchester. He is a chartered Civil Engineer who studied at Leeds and Birmingham Universities and has wide experience of the water world having designed sea defence and flood protection works and been a member of the Storm Tide Warning Service monitoring and responding to sea and river flooding.

His works experience also includes sewage and water treatment, sewerage and drinking water distribution, investment delivery and asset management.

David said: “Water is such an essential part of our lives and the water industry is going to be at the front in terms of the effects of climate change.

“There are going to be changes in rainfall patterns, periods of drought and more intense rainfall, as well as sea level rises. We have already seen more flooding in recent years and we have to understand and manage all these risks.

“Our customers can also play a big part by helping to reduce energy emissions by using water wisely and saving and not wasting it.”

Environmental expert and Northumbrian Water Board member Dr Simon Lyster said: "I am delighted by David Chapman's appointment.  Climate change is a very serious threat, and Northumbrian Water is committed to do all it can to address the threat by reducing its carbon footprint and adapting to deal with climate change.

“The company's aspiration is to move as far towards carbon neutrality in its operations as possible.   This will not be easy - supplying water is a very energy intensive business - and will require a range of different actions over a period of time.

“David's appointment will ensure there is a senior executive working full-time on the issue, and we are all looking forward to working closely with him."

Dr Simon Lyster is a Non-Executive Director of Northumbrian Water with long experience in environmental protection and sustainable development.

He is Chief Executive of LEAD (Leadership for Environment and Development) International - a global organisation training emerging leaders from different sectors in leadership skills and sustainable development. 

He was formerly Director General of the UK Wildlife Trusts, and before that Head of Conservation Policy at WWF.

For further information and to arrange an interview with David Chapman contact:

Alistair Baker on 0191-301-6851 or 07711-793-493.