National Grid sustainability score: 37/100
National Grid operates electricity transmission and distribution networks across the UK and northeastern US, serving millions of customers. Founded in 1990, it is a major listed utility managing critical energy infrastructure.
More about National Grid
The company owns gas generation assets on Long Island and operates regulated transmission and distribution businesses, making it a hybrid energy and infrastructure business.
Founded 1990Head office London, GBStaff ~29,000Revenue ~£18.4BWebsite ↗
National Grid publishes comprehensive emissions data with external assurance but its absolute emissions are rising across all scopes. The group is severely off-track against its 2030 target, achieving only 4.4% reduction where 60% is required. US lobbying against clean energy regulation and board roles at obstructive gas associations undermine climate credibility.
National Grid scores 37/100 (Below expectations) on SINK's independent climate assessment, scored from public data only. Scores are free. Companies can never pay for anything about their own score. Last verified October 2026.
That places National Grid joint 482nd of 934 companies scored, and 12th of 20 in Energy Supply / Utilities.
What is National Grid doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Carbon Footprint: Operations and Transparency & Accountability (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Energy Source (2/10, 4/10).
Where National Grid lost points
For each question that lost points, the evidence our public rubric looks for that we didn't find.
- Emissions from its own operations8/10No verified figures published with their method and a falling trend.
- Emissions from its supply chain6/10No full value-chain map or supplier engagement programme.
- Whether its emissions are falling2/10No evidence its emissions are falling, not even from energy bills or mileage.
- How clean its energy is4/10Less than half its energy shown to be renewable, or no transition plan.
- Its effect on nature5/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste5/10No measurable waste or recycling targets reported publicly.
- Its effect on water5/10No measured water footprint with reduction targets.
- Its climate targets5/10Its targets aren't science-based or committed to the Science Based Targets initiative.
- How openly it reports7/10No annual impact report, or no pay linked to climate targets.
- Its record on controversies5/10Points deducted for controversies or its business model. The finding is under question 10.
A score changes when the evidence does. We use new published evidence at the next rescore. Anyone can send us new evidence, free. How to send it.
How is National Grid's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleHas National Grid's score changed?
National Grid's score has moved from 39 to 37 across 2 recorded reviews, down 2 points.
- 39 → 37-23 October 2026
Aggregator-citation sweep: broker citations replaced with the primary disclosures they mirror, re-scored through the guarded pipeline under pinned code 9196601.
- Scored 394 April 2026
Initial score at platform launch
What evidence is National Grid's score based on?
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
67% of them were published by National Grid itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (ktonnes CO2e): 7,422 (2025) vs 6,852 (2024), change 8%”
“Gross global Scope 1 emissions (ktCO2e): 4,467”
“Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (ktonnes CO2e): 7,422 (2025), 6,852 (2024)”
“Our Scope 3 emissions are calculated and reported in line with the GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard”
“100% of purchased electricity is certified renewable”
“In 2025/26 we achieved 62% (2024/25: 36%) of renewable electricity purchased with renewable certification globally”
“22 substation sites surveyed for biodiversity net gain”
“we transported 220,000 tonnes of tunnelling spoil to Pitsea to support habitat restoration”
“All our construction projects that have an impact on the natural environment have made commitments and developed plans that will deliver a measurable improvement to biodiversity by at least 10 per cent”
“it was agreed that the Group was unable to align to the SBTi long-term net zero standard”
“National Grid serves on the 2026 Board of Directors for American Gas Association, a highly obstructive group that continues to oppose building electrification measures”
“National Grid, National Fuel, and NOCO Energy spent a combined $738,863 on lobbying in 2022, including on lobbying against the All-Electric Building Act”
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How does National Grid compare with other energy supply / utilities companies?
Where National Grid sits among energy supply / utilities peers.
Among the 20 major energy supply / utilities brands we've scored, National Grid sits 12th of 20.
Who scores higher in Energy Supply / Utilities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above National Grid.
Enel has strong emissions reporting and a credible downward trajectory, but weakened near-term ambitions and missed SLB targets undermine credibility.
See the breakdown →Iberdrola leads European utilities on emissions and renewables—84% zero-carbon generation, SBTi-validated net-zero by 2039—but absolute emissions exceed 50 Mt CO₂e and gas operations remain material.
See the breakdown →Centrica discloses Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions with DNV verification limited to operational scopes.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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