Centrica is a leader in climate change transparency

Centrica has been recognised by CDP for robust disclosure of climate change-related information.

Centrica has been identified as a leader for disclosure on climate change information by CDP, an international NGO reporting to investors representing around a third of the worlds invested capital.

In CDP’s annual global climate change report, Centrica earned a leadership position and maintained its place in the FTSE350 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI), for transparency of data and information spanning strategy, risks, opportunities and performance related to climate change. Submitted information is independently assessed against a scoring methodology and marked out of 100, with organisations in the top 10% constituting the CDLI.

Centrica is one of only 5 companies to have been part of the CDLI for eight consecutive years and this year, secured 99 out of 100, down slightly from full marks achieved in 2014.

Despite our continued commitment to reduce carbon emissions from energy generation and consumption, we secured a B rating for performance and were therefore unable to maintain inclusion in The Climate A List reserved for A-rated companies. This decline was largely due to reduced output from nuclear, no new renewable power coming online following first-power achieved at Lincs offshore windfarm the previous year, together with a decrease in the carbon intensity of our power generation which reduced the impact of customer carbon savings.

Jim Rushen, Centrica’s Head of Environment said: “We are pleased to have been recognised by CDP for our transparent reporting and performance on climate change, which demonstrates to investors and other stakeholders that we are working hard to effectively manage and mitigate energy’s impact. We believe climate change is one of the biggest global issues facing society today and with over 95% of our carbon emissions arising from customers consumption, we recognise the important contribution we can make to tackle this issue through the innovative products and services we provide as well as through energy we source for millions of people everyday”.

Paul Dickinson, Executive Chairman and Co-founder of CDP commented: “As the world looks beyond the Paris climate change negotiations and prepares for a low carbon future, reliable information about how companies are responding to the transition will be ever more valuable.  For this reason we congratulate those businesses that have achieved a position on CDP’s Climate Disclosure Leadership Index.”

Centrica’s inclusion in the CDLI comes after securing eighth place and being the best performing utility in Corporate Knights’ Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index. It also follows sixth place secured among FTSE100 companies for carbon reporting and performance by Carbon Clear.

Notes

Centrica’s carbon reduction performance

  • Centrica has one of the lowest carbon intensities of power sold among major UK energy suppliers at 240gCO2/kwh, a third below the UK average.
  • 61% of power generated by Centrica in 2014 came from low carbon sources such as wind and nuclear which we calculate has helped avoid nearly 8.4mtCO2e, equivalent to the average annual carbon emissions of almost 1.7 million UK homes.
  • British Gas is leading the UK roll-out of smart meters having installed nearly 2 million in homes and businesses, giving customers greater insight and control over their energy use.
  • We calculate that we have helped our UK customers save over 13mtCO2e since 2010, comparable to the average annual emissions of 2.6 million UK homes.
  • Read more in our CDP climate change response.

About CDP

CDP is an international, not-for-profit organisation providing the only global system for companies to measure, disclose, manage and share environmental information. They work with market forces, including 822 institutional investors with assets of US$95 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources as well as take action to reduce their impact. Visit their website to find out more.