Thames Water Utilities Limited, commonly referred to as Thames Water, is a leading water and wastewater services provider based in Great Britain. Headquartered in Reading, the company primarily serves London and the Thames Valley region, delivering essential services to millions of customers. Founded in 1989, Thames Water has achieved significant milestones, including substantial investments in infrastructure and sustainability initiatives. The company’s core offerings include water supply, wastewater treatment, and environmental management, distinguished by its commitment to innovation and customer service. Thames Water is recognised for its efforts in reducing water leakage and enhancing water quality, positioning itself as a key player in the UK water industry. With a focus on sustainability and community engagement, Thames Water continues to strive for excellence in providing reliable and efficient services.
How does Thames Water 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 Wastewater Treatment 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.
Thames Water Utilities's score of 49 is higher than 77% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Thames Water Utilities reported total carbon emissions of approximately 355,900,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at about 224,600,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions at approximately 187,600,000 kg CO2e (location-based), and Scope 3 emissions reaching about 360,700,000 kg CO2e. The previous year, 2023, saw total emissions of around 361,000,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 at about 220,300,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at approximately 173,600,000 kg CO2e (location-based), and Scope 3 emissions at about 355,000,000 kg CO2e. Thames Water has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint, achieving a 68% reduction in emissions compared to its 1990 baseline, equating to an absolute reduction of about 576,000 kg CO2e. The company is committed to achieving net zero emissions from its operations by 2030, with plans to exceed this target by 2040. This commitment encompasses both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The Mogden Sewage Treatment Works upgrade is a key initiative aimed at further reducing carbon emissions, contributing to the broader goal of net zero by 2050. This project is part of Thames Water's long-term strategy to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact. Thames Water's emissions data is cascaded from its parent company, Kemble Water Finance Limited, reflecting its position as a current subsidiary within the corporate family. The company actively discloses its emissions across all three scopes, demonstrating transparency and accountability in its climate commitments.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000 | 0,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
Thames Water Utilities's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 1% last year and decreased by approximately 34% since 2021, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Most of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 62% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Fuel and Energy Related Activities" being the largest emissions source at 27% 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.
Thames Water 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.