Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO reports Scope 1 and 2 emissions using GHG Protocol methodology. 2023 total: ~3,434 tonnes CO₂e. Fleet is 98% EV. Office energy fully renewable. Detailed basis of preparation document published. Third-party verification status not clearly confirmed.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO reports Scope 3 at ~9.78 million tonnes CO₂e (2023), dominated by gas combustion (Category 11). Uses location-based methodology. Multiple categories quantified with stated methods. Scope 3 renewables target is 76.8% per MWh (intensity), not absolute reduction.

Emissions Trajectory: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO claims 38% total footprint reduction and 50% operational emissions cut from 2018 baseline. However, Scope 3 target for sold electricity is intensity-based, not absolute. Dominant 9.8Mt gas supply emissions remain unabated. Scope 1 & 2 location-based emissions increased 7% in one period. Capped due to intensity targets.

Energy Source: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO offices use 100% renewable electricity; 98% van fleet electric. However, only ~30% of customer energy sourced from renewables in 2023. Company moved away from REGO certificates in 2023 (acknowledging greenwashing) and signed PPAs with Ørsted and Eneco. Renewable sourcing remains minority of supply mix.

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does OVO Energy score?

5 million trees planted since 2015 via Conservation Volunteers and Woodland Trust; 12 Miyawaki Tiny Forests funded. OVO founding member of DEFRA's Get Nature Positive campaign. FY24 report includes Nature section. No TNFD-aligned disclosure or quantified nature footprint assessment.

Resource Use & Waste: How does OVO Energy score?

Service company (energy retail) with minimal material footprint beyond offices and fleet. Environment Policy commits to waste minimisation. LED and A-rated appliances in offices; 98% EV fleet. No quantified waste targets, circular economy metrics, or landfill diversion rates reported.

Water Impact: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO is an energy retailer with no generation assets or manufacturing. Direct water consumption limited to offices and depots. Environment Policy references water minimisation. No quantified water consumption data, water bills, or reduction targets published.

Targets & Commitments: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO has SBTi-aligned targets: 64.1% absolute Scope 1 & 2 reduction by 2030 (2018 baseline), 50.4% absolute Scope 3 reduction, net-zero by 2035. Pledged to limit offsets to 10% of emissions. Scope 3 sold electricity target remains intensity-based (76.8% per MWh).

Transparency & Accountability: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO publishes annual combined report and separate Scope 1/2/3 basis of preparation. TCFD-aligned climate disclosures in FY24 Annual Report. Dedicated Head of Sustainability and Plan Zero steering committee. 2025 Climate Transition Plan published. No evidence of executive compensation tied to sustainability targets.

Controversies & Red Flags: How does OVO Energy score?

Ofgem fined OVO £2.37M for complaint handling (2025), £2.7M for Warm Home Discount failure (Jan 2026), £8.9M voluntary redress (2020) for billing issues affecting 500,000+ customers. Good Energy accused OVO of greenwashing via REGOs (2022); OVO moved away from REGOs in 2023. No anti-climate lobbying found.

OVO Energy Sustainability Score: 42/100

Recently scored: Next plc, Target Corporation, Rapanui Clothing, SHEIN

515 companies scored·27 score updates this week

OVO Energy·Energy Supply / Utilities·Bristol, UK·Founded 2009·Last verified 31 May 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review

OVO Energy reports detailed operational emissions cuts and has ditched greenwashing REGOs, but 9.8Mt of annual Scope 3 from gas supply to 4 million customers overwhelms progress. Repeated regulatory fines for customer harm and billing failures, combined with intensity-based (not absolute) renewable targets, reveal a company still far from credible decarbonisation.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Energy Supply / Utilities sector ceiling.

55 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

49 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 55) + (0.7 × 49) = 50.8

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

42 / 100

The ten questions

Where OVO Energy is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (7/10, 6/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Resource Use & Waste (3/10, 3/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

17 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

11 of 17 sources are third-party verified or public record.

[1]Third-party verified

DitchCarbon — OVO Energy Profile

Ongoing

Q1Q2Q3Q8

Every score shows its working.

Where OVO Energy is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where OVO Energy sits among energy supply / utilities peers.

OVO Energy's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.