With increased commitment from the international community to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from all sectors in accordance with the Paris Agreement, the water sector has never felt the pressure it is now under to transition to a low-carbon water management model. This requires reducing GHG emissions from grid-energy consumption (Scope 2 emissions), which is straightforward; however, it also requires reducing Scope 1 emissions, which include nitrous oxide and methane emissions, predominantly from wastewater handling and treatment. The pathways and factors leading to biological nitrous oxide and methane formation and emissions from wastewater are highly complex and site-specific. Good emission factors for estimating the Scope 1 emissions are lacking, water utilities have little experience in directly measuring these emissions, and the mathematical modelling of these emissions is challenging. Therefore, this book aims to help the water sector address the Scope 1 emissions by breaking down their pathways and influencing factors, and providing guidance on both the use of emission factors, and performing direct measurements of nitrous oxide and methane emissions from sewers and wastewater treatment plants. The book also dives into the mathematical modelling for predicting these emissions and provides guidance on the use of different mathematical models based upon your conditions, as well as an introduction to alternative modelling methods, including metabolic, data-driven, and AI methods. Finally, the book includes guidance on using the modelling tools for assessing different operating strategies and identifying promising mitigation actions. A must have book for anyone needing to understand, account for, and reduce water utility Scope 1 emissions.

The transition to low-carbon urban water utilities is an innovative idea, only embraced by a few forward thinking utilities currently. This roadmap is directed at urban water utility managers in charge of planning future actions, as well as at the stakeholders who will support the utility action plans. Because only a few "early adopters" utilities have embarked on the Low-Carbon transition, this roadmap intends to support other utilities understand and champion the need for contribution to a carbon neutral future and well as to guide them through a process of change. This roadmap is potentially applicable to all utilities worldwide, but was specifically written for utilities in emerging economies where service performance and data management challenges are often prominent in driving future planning.

La transicion hacia unas empresas de agua y saneamiento urbano con bajas emisiones de carbono es una idea innovadora que actualmente solo ha sido adaptada por unas pocas empresas con vision de futuro. Esta hoja de ruta esta dirigida a los gestores de empresas de agua y saneamiento encargados de la planificacion de acciones futuras, asi como a las partes interesadas que respaldaran los planes de accion de las empresas de agua y saneamiento. Debido a que solamente unas cuantas empresas de agua y saneamiento urbano "pioneras" se han embarcado en una transicion hacia un servicio con bajas emisiones de carbono, la hoja de ruta pretende ayudar a otras empresas de agua y saneamiento a comprender y liderar la necesidad de contribuir a un futuro neutro en carbono y orientarlos durante el proceso de cambio. Ademas, puede aplicarse a las instalaciones y empresas de agua y saneamiento de todo el mundo, pero ha sido especificamente elaborada teniendo en mente las economias emergentes, ya que, con frecuencia, el desempeno del servicio y las dificultades que plantea la gestion de datos ocupan un papel destacado en sus actividades y la planificacion futura.