Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is a vital entity in the public utilities sector, serving the greater Seattle area. Established in 1997, SPU has made significant strides in providing essential services, including water supply, wastewater management, and solid waste disposal. With a commitment to sustainability and community engagement, SPU offers unique programmes aimed at conserving resources and protecting the environment. The utility is recognised for its innovative approaches to water conservation and waste reduction, positioning it as a leader in the industry. Notable achievements include the implementation of advanced water treatment technologies and comprehensive recycling initiatives, which have garnered national attention. As a key player in the public utilities landscape, Seattle Public Utilities continues to enhance the quality of life for its residents while promoting environmental stewardship.
How does Seattle Public Utilities'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 Other Services 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.
Seattle Public Utilities's score of 39 is higher than 63% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, Seattle Public Utilities reported total carbon emissions of approximately 5,730,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes 480,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions, 950,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 emissions, and a significant 4,300,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. The combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions totalled about 1,430,000 kg CO2e. Comparatively, in 2022, total emissions were about 5,995,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at 495,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at 1,000,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 at 4,500,000 kg CO2e. This indicates a reduction of approximately 265,000 kg CO2e in total emissions from 2022 to 2023. Seattle Public Utilities has not specified any formal reduction targets or commitments under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or other climate pledges. However, the organisation is actively engaged in initiatives to manage and reduce its carbon footprint, particularly focusing on waste management, as evidenced by the substantial Scope 3 emissions related to waste generated in operations. Overall, Seattle Public Utilities is committed to addressing its carbon emissions through various operational strategies, although specific reduction targets have not been disclosed.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 495,000 | 000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 1,000,000 | 000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 4,500,000 | 0,000,000 |
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.
Seattle Public Utilities 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.

