National Grid plc, commonly referred to as National Grid, is a leading energy and utility company headquartered in Great Britain. Founded in 1990, it plays a pivotal role in the electricity and gas sectors, primarily operating in the UK and the northeastern United States. The company is renowned for its core services, which include the transmission of electricity and gas, as well as the management of energy infrastructure. National Grid's commitment to innovation and sustainability sets it apart, as it actively invests in renewable energy solutions and smart grid technologies. With a strong market position, National Grid has achieved significant milestones, including the integration of advanced energy management systems. Its dedication to reliability and efficiency has solidified its reputation as a key player in the global energy landscape.
How does National Grid'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 Electricity Transmission 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.
National Grid's score of 92 is higher than 96% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, National Grid's total carbon emissions reached approximately 34,236,000,000 kg CO2e globally, with 3,988,000,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions, 2,864,000,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and a significant 27,384,000,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. In the UK, the company reported 2,493,000,000 kg CO2e in combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions, comprising 377,000,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 and 2,113,000,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2. National Grid has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for an 80% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 from a 1990 base year, and a 90% reduction by 2040. Additionally, the company targets net zero emissions across all scopes by 2050. For Scope 3 emissions, National Grid commits to a 37.5% reduction by 2034 from a 2019 base year. These targets align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect the company's commitment to addressing climate change through significant emissions reductions and sustainable practices.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 1990 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 15,262,480,000  | -  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | -  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 
| Scope 2 | 8,595,589,000  | -  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | -  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 
| Scope 3 | 28,604,432,000  | -  | 00,000,000,000  | 00,000,000,000  | 00,000,000,000  | 00,000,000,000  | 00,000,000,000  | 
National Grid's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 2% last year and decreased by approximately 4% since 1990, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. The vast majority of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing the vast majority of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Use of Sold Products" being the largest emissions source at 64% 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.
National Grid 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.

Common questions about National Grid's sustainability data and climate commitments