National Gas Transmission plc
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021-04 to 2026-03, 2023-04 to 2024-03)
Reporting Period: 2021-04 to 2026-03
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Air quality
- Climate change
- Responsible asset use
- Caring for the natural environment
- Leadership for change
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved carbon-neutral construction for major projects, offsetting 26,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions by 2026.
- Delivered a 10% minimum net gain in environmental value on all construction projects.
- Reduced NOx emissions per hour of gas turbine running by the end of RIIO-T2.
- Reduced methane emissions from leaks on the network.
- Reduced carbon emissions from office energy use by 20%.
Social Achievements
- Educated the public about environmental issues through outreach linked to major compressor emissions projects.
- Engaged employees on environmental issues through a comprehensive program.
- Implemented a comprehensive employee-engagement programme on environmental issues including emissions, waste, reduction in plastics and employee travel.
Governance Achievements
- Embedded sustainability in decision-making.
- Produced an Annual Environmental Report (including Business Carbon Footprint reporting).
- Increased transparency on capital carbon and natural capital, using data and tools to collaborate and drive environmental progress.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
Medium-term Goals:
- Establish a National Hydrogen Transmission network by 2045.
Short-term Goals:
- Develop a science-based target for carbon reduction by 2023.
- Achieve 1GW of hydrogen production capacity by end of 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK's net-zero target.
- Developing a science-based target for carbon reduction in a sector with uncertain decarbonisation pathways.
- Addressing redundant assets and sites responsibly.
- Managing climate change risks to assets.
- Reducing waste intensity of construction projects.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developing a science-based target for carbon reduction by 2023.
- Addressing 84 redundant assets, asset groups, or sites.
- Assessing and reporting climate change risks on assets.
- Implementing new mobile and fixed natural gas recompression technologies to reduce methane emissions.
- Replacing older compressors with cleaner technology to improve air quality.
- Implementing circular economy principles for raw materials, goods procured, and existing assets.
- Reducing waste intensity of construction projects year-on-year.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Implement ISO 20400 sustainable sourcing process.
- 75% of top suppliers (by category/spend) will have carbon reduction targets.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Warmer temperatures
- Coastal and river flooding
Transition Risks
- Policy decisions impacting a future hydrogen economy
Opportunities
- Repurposing network to transport hydrogen
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: PAS 2080, ISO 20400, BS 8001
Reporting Period: 2023-04 to 2024-03
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:381.4 ktCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:343.1 ktCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:37.4 ktCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:0.9 ktCO2e/year
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change
- Safety
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Environmental Achievements
- Compressor station and terminal NOx emissions for 2023/24 were 5.42 kilogrammes per compressor unit run hour, a decrease of 0.86kg/hour from 2022/23.
- Scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions reduced to 381 ktCO2e from 405.8 ktCO2e in 2022/23.
- Achieved 100% hydrogen flow for the first time into FutureGrid test facility.
Social Achievements
- Over £35,000 donated to Barnardo’s.
- Over 1,900 colleague volunteering hours delivered.
- Over £36,000 invested in local communities through the Community Grant Fund.
- Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) improved to +22.
- Established a new Belonging Hub for DEI resources.
Governance Achievements
- Established a new Safety and Sustainability Committee.
- Improved the risk management framework.
- Implemented a new system for managing risk centrally.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Create a core hydrogen network across Great Britain.
Medium-term Goals:
- Achieve net zero emissions by 2050 (ambition of 2040 for scope 1 and 2).
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce NOx emissions from compressor unit combustion to 6 kg/hour.
Environmental Challenges
- Ageing assets and complex systems pose challenges to meeting net-zero targets.
- Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical factors.
- Maintaining network reliability in the face of climate change.
- Achieving diversity targets.
Mitigation Strategies
- Investing in asset maintenance and upgrades.
- Developing alternative sourcing strategies.
- Implementing robust risk management and internal control systems.
- Launching diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 76% of top 50 suppliers have carbon reduction targets.
Responsible Procurement
- Implementing ISO 20400 sustainable sourcing process.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Coastal and inland flooding
- Extreme temperatures
Transition Risks
- Failure to manage climate change impacts and meet net-zero targets.
- Reputational damage and fall in investor confidence due to failure to meet net-zero ambition.
Opportunities
- Development of hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) networks.
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD
Certifications: ISO 22301
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte LLP
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Hydrogen transportation network
Awards & Recognition
- 2023 Project of the Year award at the Gas Industry Awards (FutureGrid)