UK power companies fail in climate change survey

The major UK power companies are still failing to meet the challenge of climate change, wildlife charity WWF claimed today.

Its annual survey of action on climate change taken by the six big energy companies put British Gas owner Centrica at the top of the league for tackling carbon emissions and promoting energy efficiency.

Scottish Power came second in the UK Power Giants: Generating Climate Change report, which judged the companies on their performance on greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energies.

WWF said Scottish Power had demonstrated the highest investment in new renewable energy resources.

At the bottom of the table, REW npower and EDF Energy showed the least progress in addressing climate change issues, according to the report by Innovest for the charity.

Overall, WWF warned none of the companies were “showing the vision” needed to tackle climate change.

The report ranked the companies in the following order: Centrica, Scottish Power, E.ON UK, Scottish & Southern Energy, EDF Energy, RWE Power.

In a second survey, in which WWF evaluated the firms’ views on 10 key issues of climate and energy policy, none scored highly on emissions reduction targets, nuclear power and the EU emissions trading scheme.

It ranked them in the following order: Scottish & Southern Energy, Centrica, Scottish Power, E.ON UK, EDF Energy, RWE Power.

Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF, said: “If you combined the best elements of Centrica’s and Scottish Power’s strategies, you might begin to see a real leader pushing towards a green and efficient power sector.

“What is clear from both these reports is that none of the companies are yet showing the vision we need to protect the climate.

“The power sector’s emissions have been rising in recent years and many companies are focusing on building new fossil fuel or nuclear stations rather than providing efficient energy services and clean renewable energy.”

Gearoid Lane, managing director of British Gas new energy, said: “We’re delighted to top the green league table of energy suppliers.

“It recognises the lead we’re taking in providing customers with low carbon products and services and highlights the fact that the electricity British Gas provides has the lowest CO2 emissions of all the major UK suppliers.”