Centrica commits to be net zero by 2045

Centrica is accelerating its commitment to becoming net zero, now aiming to achieve this by 2045, five years ahead of its previous target and the UK government’s net zero goal of 2050. The company has also announced a new commitment to helping its customers be net zero by 2050.

The reduction in Centrica’s own emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and those of its customers (Scope 3) align with science-based targets and the actions required to limit warming to 1.5°C.

With the heating of homes and businesses being the single largest contributor to carbon emissions in the UK, Centrica is set to launch a hybrid heat pump trial in the coming months with customers. It aims to prove the role hybrid heat pumps can play in decarbonising homes and is developing a paid-for proposition for air source heat pumps. The company is also working with customers to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption and has upskilled many of its Smart Energy Experts to fit EV charging points. Centrica’s ambition is to install 23,000 EV charging points this year across its residential, small and large business customer base in the UK.

Furthermore, as part of its commitment to be a net zero business by 2045, Centrica has brought forward its commitment to electrifying its 12,000-strong fleet of vehicles from 2030 to 2025. As part of this drive, the company recently ordered 2,000 all-electric Vivaro-e vans from Vauxhall for its British Gas fleet, reportedly the largest EV order for a commercial fleet in the UK and adding to 1,000 purchased last summer.

Centrica will share more details on plans to deliver against its new climate goals when it publishes a Climate Transition Plan later this year.