Our environment

Our journey so far

Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. As an essential part of the energy systems in the UK and Northeast US, we are unwavering in our commitment to deliver a clean energy future. In 2022 we launched our Climate Transition Plan, which sets out our actions to meet our Group GHG reduction targets by 2050.

As part of our 2023 charter, we have renewed and enhanced our environmental commitments, ensuring alignment to climate science and industry best practice; pushing us to accelerate the pace of, and broaden the scope of, our work toward a sustainable future.

Our near-term targets are aligned to a 1.5°C pathway under the Science Based Targets initiative and we're working towards net zero as a Group.

Our commitments and targets

Achieve net zero by 2050 for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions

• Reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 60% by 2030 (from a 2018/19 baseline)

• Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions 37.5% by 2034 (from a 2018/19 baseline)

• Move to a 100% electric fleet by 2030 for our light-duty vehicles and pursue the replacement of our medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with zero carbon alternatives

• Reduce sulphur-hexafluoride (SF₆) emissions from our operations 50% by 2030 (from a 2018/19 baseline) 

• Reduce energy consumption in our flagship offices 20% by 2030 (from a 2019/20 baseline)

• Reduce our annual air travel emissions by at least 50% by 2025/26 (from a 2019/20 baseline) and offset any remaining emissions responsibly

• Engage with the top 50% of our US suppliers by emissions to establish a decarbonisation roadmap/action plan towards a Science Based Target by 2025/26 

• The top 80% of our UK suppliers by emissions will have formally committed to set a Science Based Target by 2025/26
   

Protect our natural environment

• Restore the natural environment by 10% on the land we manage in the UK and preserve the natural environment in the land we manage in the US
   

Invest in the decarbonisation of the future of energy

• Invest at least £29 billion in green infrastructure and projects in the five years to March 2026
   

Adapt to a changing climate

• We will report on our climate change risks and opportunities and our investment in climate change adaptation activities
   

Use resources responsibly, minimising pollution, waste and water use

• We will report on the management of our environmental impact
   

Our areas of responsible business

We have identified the other key areas where we can really make a difference by ensuring responsibility is woven through everything we do.