United Utilities scores 58/100 (Making progress) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified August 2026.
That places United Utilities joint 16th of 596 companies scored, and 1st of 22 in Energy Supply / Utilities.
United Utilities has credible renewable electricity and GHG reporting but faces an active Ofwat enforcement investigation for sewage treatment failures. With 77,817 spills in one year and illegal discharges into Windermere, water stewardship—its core mandate—is materially compromised. Emissions reduction pace lags the 1.5°C pathway required.
This score is built from public data only. If your practice is stronger than your disclosure, submit evidence for review — or challenge any question, free.
Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Energy Source and Carbon Footprint — Operations (9/10, 8/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Water Impact (3/10, 4/10).
11 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
“GHG inventory, including all the underlying energy data, has undergone independent third-party verification by Achilles Group”
“134,199,496 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions...and 39730 kg CO2e from Scope 2 emissions”
“23 per cent of our suppliers of capital goods (by emissions) have set their own science-based targets”
“reduced them by over 70 per cent since 2005/6 largely from working to balance our energy consumption”
“generated a record 210 GWh of renewable energy in 2021/22, equivalent to 26% of our total electricity consumption”
“Our pledge supports the UK goal to protect at least 30% of land and sea for biodiversity by 2030.”
“Over the past three years we have planted over 500,000 trees across the region, achieving our 2025 target ahead of schedule.”
“in 2024/25 we have continued to improve our performance in diverting waste to beneficial use, diverting 98.3% from landfill”
“United Utilities was heavily criticised when it released waste water in to Lake Windermere”
“worst offender for the number of spills was United Utilities water company with 77,817 sewage spills last year”
“metrics that have received external assurance for 2024/25, including the figures in our greenhouse gas inventory”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
United Utilities is the highest-scoring energy supply / utilities company we've rated.
Among the 22 major energy supply / utilities brands we've scored, United Utilities sits 1st of 22.
Score history begins —.
As United Utilities's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
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This score is not currently being contested.
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No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.
United Utilities is a regional water and wastewater utility serving 7 million people across North West England. Founded in 1995 through consolidation, it operates water treatment, supply, and sewage infrastructure across 56,000 hectares. As a regulated utility, it is subject to Ofwat oversight and Environment Agency enforcement.
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