United Utilities

United Utilities reported Total CO2e Emissions - Market-Based Scope 1 + Scope 2 for the twelve months ending 31 March 2021 at 141 Kt (+2.1/+1.5% y-o-y). Carbon intensity also surged to 63 t (+5.5/+10% y-o-y).

United Utilities's Scope 3 emissions grew to 443 Kt (+17/+4% y-o-y).

The company is committed to reducing Scope 1 + 2 by 42% by 2030 from a base year 2019, which translates into the estimated reduction of -6.8 Kt per annum over the period of FY2022 - FY2030. This target, however, has not been recognised as science-based (and as aligned with Paris Agreement) by the SBTi.

United Utilities aims to achive carbon neutrality across its operations (Scope 1 + 2) in 2030. Companies normally become carbon neutral with the help of the acquisition of carbon offsets rather than absolute reductions in their own greenhouse emissions. Also, carbon neutrality does not include non-CO2 GHG emissions.

United Utilities also has a science-based goal that, however, does not appear to explicitly target a company-wide reduction in emissions in absolute terms. United Utilities commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions 42% by 2030 from a 2020 base year*. United Utilities commits to increase annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 95% in 2020 to 100% by 2023. United Utilities commits that 66% of suppliers by emissions within scope 3 capital goods, will have science-based targets by 2025. United Utilities commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions covering all other scope 3 categories 25% by 2030 from a 2020 base year. *The target boundary includes biogenic emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.