British Gas becomes the largest supplier to receive Carbon Trust certification for its business renewable electricity tariffs

  • British Gas becomes the largest supplier and second overall to gain product assurance from world-leading authority on sustainability.

  • Certification for electricity tariffs allows British Gas business customers to confidently report zero grams of CO2 per kWh of electricity use in accordance with Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol scope 2 Guidance.

British Gas has become the largest supplier to gain independent certification for its 100% business renewable electricity tariffs from the Carbon Trust. 

The accolade demonstrates that British Gas’ Renewable Electricity for Business product is fully sourced from credible and accurately attributed renewable guarantee of origin certificates. 

British Gas business customers who are currently required to report their greenhouse gas emissions will be able to use the certification to prove they are emitting zero grams of CO2 per kWh from purchased electricity using the market-based reporting method, in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol scope 2 Guidance. 

The certification has become more significant since the government announced plans in July to introduce a new streamlined energy and carbon reporting (SECR) framework, which will require around 12,000 large UK businesses to report their carbon emissions through their annual reports from April 2019.  

Gab Barbaro, Managing Director of British Gas Business, said: “Gaining assurance from the Carbon Trust for our business renewable products represents our firm commitment to providing products and services that lead to a lower carbon future. We’re seeing more and more businesses looking to switch, particularly given recent changes made by government to include unquoted companies in carbon reporting mandates. 

“But as the market grows, it’s essential businesses know precisely the origin and quality of the renewable energy they are receiving, particularly if they have a responsibility to report their carbon emissions.  Customers are concerned about the legitimacy of what they’re buying, so by having an independently certified 100% renewable product we hope it raises the standard of renewable energy products and gives customers confidence that they are supporting low-carbon energy growth.”

Hugh Jones, Managing Director – Business Services, the Carbon Trust said, “In the transition to a low carbon economy more and more businesses are turning to renewable electricity to help reduce the carbon impact of their own operations. 
 
“However, it is critical that these businesses can have confidence that every kW hour they use is traceable and can be matched to an equal amount of renewable electricity generated. By offering an independently certified, 100% renewable electricity tariff British Gas is providing that level of transparency needed to support UK companies in the accurate disclosure of their carbon emissions.”

British Gas supplies renewable electricity to more than 9,000 businesses across the UK. As well as offering large business renewable electricity tariffs, the company also offers their existing SME business customers a 100% renewable electricity tariff at no extra cost when they sign up to a new fixed term contract. 

Notes

  • For more information about British Gas’ renewable tariffs for business, please visit here
  • For more information about the certification, please visit here.
  • For more information about recent announcements surrounding the SECR framework, see the Carbon Trust’s information here.
  • For details of the GHG Scope 2 Guidance, please visit here.

About British Gas:

British Gas is Britain’s leading energy and services company, serving more than 10 million homes and over 400,000 businesses across the country. More than 8,000 highly-trained engineers guarantee the highest quality of service for our residential and business customers. We also provide a range of innovative offers and services including connected home Hive™ products, smart meters, and the online tradesman service, Local Heroes. 

About the Carbon Trust:

Established in 2001, the Carbon Trust works with businesses, governments and institutions around the world, helping them contribute to – and benefit from – a more sustainable future through carbon reduction, resource efficient strategies, and commercialising low carbon businesses, systems and technologies.

We work with corporates and governments, helping them to align their strategies with climate science and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

We provide expert advice and assurance, giving investors and financial institutions the confidence that green finance will have genuinely green outcomes.

We provide independent insight and support the development of low carbon technologies and solutions, building the foundations for the energy system of the future.

Headquartered in London, we have a global team of over 30 nationalities based across five continents.