SSE plc is a UK-listed energy company operating generation, transmission, distribution, and retail electricity and gas across Britain and Ireland.
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SSE publishes comprehensive GHG data with external assurance and holds SBTi-validated targets, but absolute emissions rose 10% in FY2024/25 due to increased thermal generation. The company remains 48% of the way to its 2030/31 absolute reduction target—behind schedule. Renewable capacity is growing, but fossil fuels still dominate operational footprint.
SSE plc scores 44/100 (Below expectations) on SINK's independent climate assessment, scored from public data only. Fees pay for the review, never the result. Last verified October 2026.
That places SSE plc joint 278th of 847 companies scored, and 4th of 20 in Energy Supply / Utilities.
Where SSE plc sits among energy supply / utilities peers.
Among the 20 major energy supply / utilities brands we've scored, SSE plc sits 4th of 20.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
32% absolute reduction from 2017/18 baseline to FY2024/25, but 10% year-on-year increase in latest reporting due to 24% rise in thermal generation.
However, gas-fired generation remains central to operational footprint.
Material categories acknowledged but unmeasured.
A score changes when the evidence does. We use new published evidence at the next rescore. Evidence that isn't public can count through an evidence review.
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Get in touch →Strongest on Transparency & Accountability and Carbon Footprint — Operations (9/10, 8/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Energy Source (5/10, 5/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above SSE plc.
ScottishPower has structurally exited fossil fuel generation and now sources 100% renewable electricity, with parent Iberdrola holding SBTi-validated net-zero targets.
See the breakdown →VERBUND is 96% renewable-powered but emissions rose 4% in 2024 as gas generation recovered.
See the breakdown →Ecotricity supplies 100% green electricity but 99% fossil gas, masking its true emissions footprint.
See the breakdown →SSE plc's score has moved from 45 to 44 across 2 recorded reviews, down 1 point.
Aggregator-citation sweep: broker citations replaced with the primary disclosures they mirror, re-scored through the guarded pipeline under pinned code 9196601.
Initial score at platform launch
The formula and all 12 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
“SSE's scope 1 and 2 absolute emissions were 5.70MtCO₂e (2023/24: 4.81 MtCO₂e)”
“This data has been extracted from the SSE plc Annual Report 2024 where it was subject to external independent limited assurance by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ('PwC')”
“Between 2017/18 and 2024/25, SSE's scope 1 emissions have reduced from 10.1 MtCO₂e to 5.2 MtCO₂e”
“SSE targets no 'net loss' in biodiversity on onshore large capital projects consented from 2023 and 'net gain' in biodiversity on those consented from 2025 onwards”
“committed to not constructing any further gas-fired power stations without a clear route to decarbonisation”
“Over 2024/25, SSE Renewables generated a total of 439.5 tonnes of waste from its wholly-owned operational sites. Of this, 97% was diverted from landfill and 59% was recycled”
“none of SSE's core operations have an impact on water-stressed areas; SSE committed to reduce its water use in buildings each year by 2.5%”
“Sustainability Report 2025, Sustainability Data Tables 2025, Net Zero Transition Report, CDP Submission 2025, Biodiversity Report”
“Target: Net-zero, Scope 1+2+3, 1.5°C, Base Year 2023, Target Year 2035, Date Published 2025-01-09”
“Ofgem has decided to impose a financial penalty on SSE Generation Limited, requiring it to pay £9.78 million in relation to a breach of its Generation Licence”
“SSE exhibits strategic engagement that is supportive of science-aligned climate policy, including in its top-line statements”
“Opponents, including over 40 climate organizations, contend that the project would lock in decades of gas demand”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
SSE plc is a UK-listed energy company operating generation, transmission, distribution, and retail electricity and gas across Britain and Ireland. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Perth, it is one of the UK's largest integrated energy utilities, serving millions of customers while managing extensive thermal and renewable generation capacity.
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