United Utilities Sustainability Profile
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 64 is higher than 81% 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 2025, United Utilities reported total carbon emissions of approximately 1,194,728,000 kg CO2e, with emissions distributed across various scopes: 15,922,000 kg CO2e (Scope 1), 47,200 kg CO2e (Scope 2), and a significant 1,199,728,000 kg CO2e (Scope 3). This reflects a commitment to transparency in their emissions reporting, which includes both direct and indirect emissions. United Utilities has set ambitious climate targets, committing to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by FY2030 from a FY2020 baseline. Furthermore, they aim for a substantial 90% reduction in these emissions by FY2050. For Scope 3 emissions, the company targets a 25% reduction by FY2030 and a 90% reduction by FY2050, also using FY2020 as the baseline. In addition to these targets, United Utilities has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by FY2050. This commitment is part of their broader strategy to enhance sustainability and reduce their environmental impact, aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) standards. The company is also focused on increasing its sourcing of renewable electricity, aiming for 100% by 2023, up from 95% in 2020. They have set a goal for 66% of their suppliers, by emissions, to have science-based targets by 2025, further demonstrating their commitment to sustainable practices throughout their supply chain.
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| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 15,247,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 11,789,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000 | 00,000 | 00,000 |
| Scope 3 | 1,149,708,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is United Utilities's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is United Utilities's Location?
United Utilities's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
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.
United Utilities has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
