The Department for Transport (DfT), headquartered in Great Britain, plays a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s transport infrastructure and policy. Established in 1976, the DfT oversees a wide range of operational regions, focusing on enhancing connectivity across road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors. With a commitment to sustainable transport solutions, the department is responsible for key services such as transport planning, safety regulation, and funding for major transport projects. Notable achievements include the introduction of the Road Investment Strategy and initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions in transport. As a leader in the transport industry, the DfT continues to innovate and adapt, ensuring that the UK’s transport systems meet the needs of its citizens while supporting economic growth and environmental sustainability.
How does Department for Transport's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Public Administration industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Department for Transport's score of 30 is higher than 57% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) in Great Britain reported total carbon emissions of approximately 565,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 54,000 kg CO2e, primarily from mobile combustion, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 116,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions of about 395,000 kg CO2e, which encompass business travel and waste generated in operations. Comparatively, in 2021, DfT's total emissions were approximately 378,000 kg CO2e, indicating a significant increase in emissions in 2022. The breakdown for 2021 included Scope 1 emissions of about 30,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 99,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions of about 249,000 kg CO2e. The DfT has not set specific reduction targets or initiatives as part of its climate commitments, and there are no cascading emissions data from a parent organization. The department's emissions data reflects its operational impact, particularly in the transport sector, which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Overall, while the DfT has made strides in reporting its emissions, the lack of defined reduction targets suggests a need for more robust climate action strategies moving forward.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2012 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 126,674,000 | 00,000 | 00,000 | 00,000 | 0,000 | 00,000 | 00,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 00,000 | 00,000 | 000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 |
Department for Transport's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 59% last year and decreased by approximately 50% since 2017, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Most of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 70% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Business Travel" being the largest emissions source at 99% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Department for Transport has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

