Abstract green plant-like shapes in the background. A green banner displays the text: ‘Where we drive the transition to a low-carbon energy distribution, and build climate resilience in our communities.

Greener Society

We are committed to supporting the Government’s climate change ambitions and pledge to achieve net zero before 2050.

Although we currently transport natural gas (a fossil fuel) into homes and businesses, we are taking a leading role in demonstrating how we can decarbonise our networks using hydrogen instead. Unlike natural gas, which emits greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide into the environment, hydrogen is a clean gas.

At the same time as we are working on hydrogen for the future, we’re also making environmental improvements today. A key outcome of COP26 was a clear commitment by over 100 nations, including the UK, to reduce methane emissions by over 30% by 2030.

We are committed to achieving this milestone sooner by upgrading our pipe network, helping to restore the UK’s natural peatland through employee volunteering, and finding ways to capture methane before it enters the Earth’s atmosphere.

Waste management is a key priority, and we are reducing all single use plastic and making it even easier for our employees and partners to recycle, cutting the percentage of operational waste that goes into landfill. We are passionate about reserving the natural environment, working towards the Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark by improving biodiversity at our own sites and working with local communities to support nature regeneration in areas impacted by our construction work.

Our Greener Society goals

By 2035, at least one 100% hydrogen pipeline will be in operation in the UK.
By 2030, reduce our methane emission rates by more than the UK’s 30% target.
By 2032, facilitate up to 15TWh biomethane to connect to our network.
By 2031, gain external assurance on key biodiversity action plans across our Networks.

Additional commitments

Reduce our business mileage carbon intensity from our 2025/26 baseline by 2031.
Maintain our First Responder commercial fleet at 50% EV and continue to trial other EV vehicle commercial vehicles in RIIO3.
By 2031, develop long-term climate change adaptation pathways and report on the programmes for assets exposed to high climate risk.
By 2031, we will minimise the use of virgin aggregate in our operations and ensure that less than 3% of our waste from excavations is sent to landfill.

Sustainable Development Goals

We support the UN Sustainable Development Goals by integrating environmental, social, and economic principles into our strategy. Our work contributes most directly to the following SDGs.