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 76 is higher than 87% 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 1,199,728,000 kg CO2e (Scope 3), 15,922,000 kg CO2e (Scope 1), and 47,200 kg CO2e (Scope 2). This reflects a commitment to significant reductions, with targets set to decrease absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 90% by FY2050 from a FY2020 baseline. Additionally, the company aims to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 90% within the same timeframe. For near-term goals, United Utilities has committed to a 42% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by FY2030, alongside a 25% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by FY2030, both from a FY2020 base year. The company also plans to increase its annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 95% in 2020 to 100% by 2023. United Utilities is dedicated to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by FY2050, aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) standards. The emissions data and targets are sourced directly from United Utilities Group PLC, with no data cascaded from a parent organization.
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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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about United Utilities's sustainability data and climate commitments