Ricardo to support world-leading UK Government emission inventory

Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, today announces that it has been awarded a ten-year contract by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Office for National Statistics to deliver the UK’s world leading National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI). 

Established in the 1970s, the NAEI estimates annual greenhouse gases and air quality pollutants in the UK, from all known sources and sinks. This dataset informs critical decisions taken by central and local governments on climate change, Net Zero, and air quality policy. The NAEI supports the UK to fulfil its international and domestic statutory reporting requirements, the production of Accredited Official Statistics and provision of carbon factors for company reporting using United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) collection methodologies.

Ricardo, who has managed the NAEI on behalf of UK Government for over 50 years, will lead the collection and analysis of data, as well as lead a consortium of contributors, which includes Aether, Gluckman Consulting and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and Forest Research. 

As part of this ten-year contract, the UK Government and Ricardo will introduce several changes to the NAEI to improve the data and systems, ensuring it continues to be a high quality, trusted dataset and retains its reputation as one of the best in the world. This includes rolling out a new digital modelling system to manage data flows; building capability within the consortium organisations; and increasing the number of parties in the consortium to improve the quality and breadth of data collected. 

The UK’s emissions inventory scientists support signatories to the Paris Agreement from around the world, participating in and leading reviews of other national inventories, through the annual UNFCCC assessment process, and providing expert advice to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

This new ten-year contract ensures stability and security for the UK evidence base, the foundation for monitoring and reporting our atmospheric emissions and the basis for policy making.

Rachel Yardley, Ricardo Technical Director said, “We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with the UK government, using our decades of expertise to deliver critical data that is imperative for us to address the climate crisis, reduce emissions and improve air quality for the benefit of everyone across the UK.”

ENDS

About Ricardo

Ricardo plc is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, listed on the London Stock Exchange. With over 100 years of engineering excellence and employing close to 3,000 employees in more than 20 countries, we provide exceptional levels of expertise in delivering innovative cross-sector sustainable outcomes to support energy transition and scarce resources, environmental services together with safe and smart mobility. Our global team of consultants, environmental specialists, engineers and scientists support our customers to solve the most complex and dynamic challenges to help achieve a safe and sustainable world. Visit www.ricardo.com