Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO reports Scope 1 and 2 emissions using GHG Protocol methodology with location-based reporting. In 2023, Scope 1 and 2 totalled approximately 3,434 tonnes CO₂e per DitchCarbon. The company publishes a detailed basis of preparation document covering organisational boundary, estimation methods, and emission factors. Multi-year data is available from their Annual Report and Plan Zero reports. Fleet emissions (98% EV by 2024) and office energy are granularly broken down. However, third-party verif

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

OVO reports Scope 3 emissions of approximately 9.78 million tonnes CO₂e (2023), dominated by Category 3 (fuel and energy-related activities) and Category 11 (use of sold products — customer gas combustion). The company uses location-based methodology and explicitly states it does not use market-based accounting because it does not reflect atmospheric decarbonisation. Multiple Scope 3 categories are quantified with methodology. However, Scope 3 targets for sold electricity are intensity-based (pe

Emissions Trajectory: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO claims a 38% reduction in total carbon footprint from a 2018 baseline and a 50% reduction in operational emissions as of FY2024 reporting. However, the 76.8% Scope 3 target for sold electricity is intensity-based (per MWh), not absolute. The dominant Scope 3 emissions from gas supplied to ~4 million customers remain enormous at ~9.8Mt. Scope 1 and 2 location-based emissions increased 7% in one reported period even while market-based fell 8%. The overall trajectory is mixed: operational impro

Energy Source: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO offices use 100% renewable electricity as stated in FY24 reporting. 98% of its engineering van fleet is fully electric. However, the energy OVO supplies to customers is predominantly from gas and grid electricity — only about 30% was sourced from renewable generators in 2023. OVO moved away from REGO certificates in 2023, acknowledging they are a form of greenwashing, and has signed PPAs with Ørsted (Barrow Wind Farm) and Eneco (Crystal Rig) and a 2025 PPA for North Angle Solar Farm. The shi

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO has a substantial nature programme: 5 million trees planted since 2015 through partnerships with The Conservation Volunteers and the Woodland Trust (1 million per year). The OVO Foundation with Earthwatch Europe funded 12 Tiny Forests using the Miyawaki technique across urban UK locations. OVO was a founding member of DEFRA's Get Nature Positive campaign. The FY24 Annual Report includes a Nature section. However, there is no formal TNFD-aligned disclosure or quantified nature footprint. The

Resource Use & Waste: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO is primarily a service company (energy retail) so material footprint is limited to offices, fleet vehicles, and smart meter installations. The company has an Environment Policy that commits to minimising waste, pollution, and use of natural resources. LED installations and A-rated appliances are used in offices. The shift to 98% EV fleet reduces fossil fuel consumption. However, no quantified waste targets, circular economy metrics, or detailed waste reporting was found in available sources.

Water Impact: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO is an energy retailer, not a generator, so its direct water consumption is limited to office and depot use. The company's Environment Policy references minimising impact on water alongside other environmental areas. However, no quantified water consumption data, water bills, or water reduction targets were found. As an energy retailer with no generation assets or manufacturing, direct water impact is low, but OVO does not report on it. The indirect water impact of the gas and electricity sup

Targets & Commitments: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO has SBTi-aligned targets: 64.1% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 (2018 baseline), 50.4% absolute Scope 3 reduction in fuel/energy activities and use of sold products, and a net-zero by 2035 commitment (a 90% reduction target). OVO has moved away from carbon offsets, pledging to limit offsets to 10% of total emissions and only for residual cases. This reduction-first approach is credible. The Scope 3 sold electricity target is intensity-based (76.8% per MWh), which is a limitation.

Transparency & Accountability: How does OVO Energy score?

OVO publishes an annual combined Annual Report and Sustainability Report (FY23 and FY24 published). A separate Scope 1/2/3 basis of preparation document is published. Climate-related financial disclosures (TCFD-aligned) are included in the FY24 Annual Report. OVO has a dedicated Head of Sustainability and a Plan Zero steering committee. The company published a Climate Transition Plan in 2025. OVO is a private company so is not subject to public company governance standards. The 2024 report inclu

Controversies & Red Flags: How does OVO Energy score?

Starting at 8. OVO has faced multiple Ofgem regulatory actions: £2.37M fine for customer complaint handling failures (2025), £2.7M fine for Warm Home Discount failures (Jan 2026), £8.9M voluntary redress payment (2020) for billing issues affecting 500,000+ customers, and a £10K redress for overcharging under the Energy Price Guarantee (2023). Good Energy published a detailed critique accusing OVO of greenwashing through REGO-backed green tariffs (2022), though OVO subsequently moved away from RE

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OVO Energy Sustainability Score: 42/100

◌ Pending Review

⚡ Energy Supply / UtilitiesGBBelow expectations

~4,500 employees~£5B revenue9.8Mt CO₂e totalRanked #183 of 503Website ↗

OVO Energy is a energy supply / utilities company headquartered in GB with total reported emissions of 9.8Mt CO₂e per year. Based on our 10-question rubric, OVO Energy scores 42/100 — rated as below expectations on sustainability for a company of its size and profile.

SINK Score Breakdown

How we calculated OVO Energy's score using our formula: (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale Penalty

Base Impact

Energy Supply / Utilities industry ceiling

Performance

49/100

10 questions scored below

Scale Penalty

0.82x

emissions volume multiplier

SINK Score

(0.3 × 55 + 0.7 × 49) × 0.82 = 42

Emissions Breakdown

Scope 1

2Kt

Direct emissions

Scope 2

2Kt

Energy (purchased)

Scope 3

9.8Mt

Value chain

Total

9.8Mt

CO₂e per year

10-Question Rubric Breakdown

Click any question to see the reasoning, sources and community challenges.

7/10

Carbon Footprint — Operations

6/10

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain

4/10

Emissions Trajectory

5/10

Energy Source

5/10

Nature & Biodiversity Impact

3/10

Resource Use & Waste

3/10

Water Impact

6/10

Targets & Commitments

6/10

Transparency & Accountability

Q10

4/10

Controversies & Red Flags

Community Verification

0 verifications · 0 challenges · Scored using SINK editorial review

Last scored: 6 Apr 2026

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