Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Iberdrola score?

Iberdrola reports comprehensive Scope 1 (~10.6 Mt CO₂e) and Scope 2 (~1.7 Mt CO₂e) data for 2023, with GHG inventory verified by AENOR since 2008 under ISO 14064-1:2018. The company publishes granular breakdowns by technology and geography. Emissions intensity in 2024 was among the lowest of European utilities, with 84% emission-free production. Multi-year tracking shows a clear declining trend.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Iberdrola score?

Iberdrola quantifies full Scope 3 emissions (~39.3 Mt CO₂e in 2023), covering gas sales, purchased electricity for resale, third-party generation, and suppliers. The company has an active supplier engagement programme with ESG scoring and requires evidence of climate performance. 87% of purchases were from local suppliers in 2022. Scope 3 categories are mapped with methodology, but the absolute Scope 3 figure remains very large, reflecting the gas retail and energy trading business.

Emissions Trajectory: How does Iberdrola score?

Iberdrola has achieved a 29% absolute reduction in Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions compared to 2020, achieving 63% progress toward its 65% by 2030 SBTi target. The company has closed all coal plants worldwide and continues to shift generation toward renewables. However, absolute emissions remain over 50 Mt CO₂e — the trajectory is strong relative to the sector but the scale of remaining emissions is significant. The SBTi-validated near-term target is 1.5°C-aligned.

Energy Source: How does Iberdrola score?

In 2024, 84% of Iberdrola's own production came from emission-free technologies (wind, solar, hydro, nuclear). The company has 46 GW of renewable capacity and is the top PPA seller in Europe. Gas generation accounts for ~15% of production. While this is sector-leading, it is not yet 100% renewable — gas-fired CCGTs remain in the portfolio. The company's €21B renewables investment plan for 2025-2028 demonstrates a clear transition pathway.

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Iberdrola score?

Iberdrola is a TNFD pilot participant and has applied the LEAP assessment methodology across its asset base. The company has a Biodiversity Plan 2030 targeting net positive biodiversity impact by 2030 and becoming deforestation-free by 2025. Over 750 biodiversity actions per year are conducted globally. A tree programme targets 20 million trees by 2030, with 2.3 million planted in seven countries. Offshore wind projects include environmental impact monitoring. However, measurable verified outcom

Resource Use & Waste: How does Iberdrola score?

Iberdrola has a Circular Economy Plan and has set targets for blade and solar panel recycling (98.4% recycled in 2024; 100% target by 2030). The Sustainability Report references waste reduction and supplier sustainability requirements. However, granular waste metrics, circular economy quantified outcomes, and supply chain material transparency are limited in publicly available data. The company's environmental footprint tool includes resource use tracking.

Water Impact: How does Iberdrola score?

Iberdrola targets a 50% reduction in water use intensity by 2030 vs 2019 and reports that 96% of water captured is returned to the environment. The company is a member of the UN CEO Water Mandate and participates in CDP Water. Water quality measurement systems are in place at all facilities, and discharge compliance is monitored. The water intensity reduction target is intensity-based (not absolute), which limits the score. Supply chain water footprint has been measured.

Targets & Commitments: How does Iberdrola score?

Iberdrola has SBTi-validated near-term targets (65% absolute reduction in Scope 1, 2, and 3 by 2030 from 2020 baseline) AND a validated net-zero target for 2039 (90% reduction). Targets include both absolute and intensity components. The company follows a reduction-first approach with no material reliance on offsets. Carbon neutrality for Scopes 1&2 targeted by 2030. The 2026 interim target has already been achieved (20% reduction). Some sub-targets are intensity-based, which slightly limits the

Transparency & Accountability: How does Iberdrola score?

Iberdrola publishes annual sustainability reports compliant with CSRD, GRI, ESRS, and the EU Taxonomy, subject to independent external verification by ICAC-registered auditors. GHG inventory verified by AENOR since 2008 under ISO 14064-1. KPMG provides limited assurance on subsidiary data. The company has dedicated sustainability governance, board oversight, and executive compensation linked to sustainability targets. Annual integrated reports with detailed environmental performance data are pub

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Iberdrola score?

The Villarejo corporate espionage case (2004-2017) resulted in the investigation of CEO Ignacio Galán and three executives for alleged bribery, spying, and document forgery; the investigation was closed in 2022 citing statute of limitations, and PwC's forensic report found no illegal conduct by current management. Avangrid subsidiaries have accumulated ~$60M in fines and disallowances across US jurisdictions. Iberdrola is a member of the American Gas Association, which is negatively engaged on c

Iberdrola Sustainability Score: 38/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Iberdrola·Energy Supply / Utilities·Bilbao, Spain·Founded 1992·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review

Iberdrola leads European utilities on emissions intensity and renewable capacity (84% clean generation, 46 GW renewables), with SBTi-validated 2039 net-zero targets. But absolute emissions remain over 50 Mt CO₂e, gas operations persist, and the Villarejo espionage scandal plus regulatory fines undermine trust despite strong climate advocacy.

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.

68 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 55) + (0.7 × 68) = 64.1

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

38 / 100

The ten questions

Where Iberdrola is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Targets & Commitments (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Resource Use & Waste (5/10, 5/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

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

[1]Self-reported

Greenhouse Gas Inventory — Environmental Management

Ongoing

Q1Q9

Every score shows its working.

Where Iberdrola is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where Iberdrola sits among energy supply / utilities peers.

Iberdrola'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.