United Utilities
United Utilities Group PLC, commonly known as United Utilities, is a leading water and wastewater services provider based in Great Britain. Headquartered in Warrington, the company primarily operates across the North West of England, serving millions of customers with essential water services. Founded in 1995, United Utilities has achieved significant milestones, including the successful integration of various water companies and a commitment to sustainability. The company offers a range of core services, including water supply, wastewater treatment, and environmental management, distinguished by its focus on innovation and customer service. United Utilities is recognised for its strong market position, consistently ranking among the top water companies in the UK, and has received accolades for its efforts in environmental stewardship and community engagement.
DitchCarbon Score
How does United 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.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Water Distribution 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.
Industry Benchmark
United Utilities's score of 79 is higher than 90% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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United Utilities's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, United Utilities Group PLC reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 273,983,886 kg CO2e. This includes 134,199,496 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions, which encompass direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, and 39730 kg CO2e from Scope 2 emissions, related to indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity. The company also reported significant Scope 3 emissions, totalling approximately 419,372,000 kg CO2e, which includes emissions from the supply chain and other indirect sources. United Utilities has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% by FY2030 from a FY2020 baseline. Furthermore, the company has committed to achieving a 90% reduction in these emissions by FY2050. For Scope 3 emissions, the target is a 25% reduction by FY2030 and a 90% reduction by FY2050. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are designed to keep global warming below 1.5°C. Additionally, United Utilities is committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2023, having already increased its renewable electricity sourcing from 95% in 2020. The company also aims for 66% of its suppliers, by emissions within Scope 3 capital goods, to have science-based targets by 2025. Overall, United Utilities is on a path towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by FY2050, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and climate action.
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| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 111,925,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 11,789,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000 | 00,000 |
| Scope 3 | 426,039,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
Industry emissions intensity
Location emissions intensity
Reduction initiatives & disclosure networks
Companies disclose and commit to reducing emissions to show they are serious about reducing emissions impact over time. They can also help a company track its progress over time.
United Utilities is participating in some of the initiatives that we track. This may change over time as the company engages with new initiatives or updates its commitments. DitchCarbon will update this information as it becomes available.
