Clean on green: Which? reveals top energy providers for green credentials
100 Green, Ecotricity, Good Energy and Octopus Energy have come out on top based on an analysis of their green credentials, according to Which? research.
Following its latest analysis of energy providers’ sustainable practices, the consumer champion has awarded four energy firms with its Eco Provider endorsement – which is awarded to companies ahead of their competitors on sustainability.
To assess the energy providers, Which? asked them a series of questions about key sustainability issues and assessed their answers with a points-based scoring system. The most points were awarded for companies that generate renewable electricity themselves and/or contract directly with companies that do.
Extra marks were given to firms supporting renewable generators that do not get government subsidies as these are often already funded from consumer bills.
Points were also awarded for supplying green gas, offering time of use (TOU) tariffs, and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariffs that paid a higher-than-average rate. SEG tariffs pay customers who generate and sell renewable electricity back to the grid.
For the first time, suppliers earned points for providing customers with ways to reduce their carbon footprint by installing heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage and insulation; and for providing Which? with their greenhouse gas emissions split by scope. Each Eco Provider received at least 14 points out of a possible 20 in Which?’s analysis. They all scored full or close to full marks for buying and selling renewable power and also scored highly for generating renewable power or selling green gas.
100 Green, Ecotricity, Good Energy and Octopus Energy are all Eco Providers for 2023.
Good Energy and Octopus Energy each scored 80 per cent, with a large proportion of their points being awarded in the buying and selling renewable power category. They also ranked higher on this measure than some of the more traditional and large energy providers such as EDF Energy, E.ON Next and Scottish Power.
By contrast, E, Utility Warehouse, Boost, Shell Energy and Outfox the Market all feature at the bottom of the table - with E scoring 0 per cent, having not received a single point based on Which?’s criteria.
Utility Warehouse received two points, or 10 per cent, for transparency and clarity. Boost also scored 10 per cent, also only scoring for transparency and clarity and selling renewable power.
While they did not score many points in Which?’s assessment, none of the three lowest scoring companies make big upfront claims about having strong green credentials on their websites.
Some energy providers are doing more than others to be sustainable, according to the consumer champion’s analysis. Since there is no set definition of what a green or renewable tariff is, it can be tricky for consumers to tell how green their energy deal actually is. Which?’s Eco Provider research aims to help consumers looking for an energy provider with strong green credentials cut through the confusion.
Key checks that sustainability focused energy customers can do include checking whether a company says it owns renewable generation, such as solar or wind farms, and, if it claims to sell renewable electricity, and looking for a clear explanation of how the company proves this.
Consumers should try not to be swayed by environmentally-friendly marketing images, designs and phrases, especially where they are not backed up with factual information.
Emily Seymour, Which? Energy Editor, said:
“We know many consumers want to play their part in preventing climate change by making more sustainable choices.
“Our research shows that some energy firms are doing much more than others to invest in the technology we need to clean up the national energy grid, generate renewable electricity, and buy energy from renewable generators.
“By choosing one of Which?’s Eco Providers, people can be confident they are using an energy supplier that has impressive green credentials.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Shell Energy secured an overall score of 20 per cent, however Octopus Energy has bought Shell Energy’s retail business which means Shell’s home energy customers will move to Octopus later this year.
- Scores were based on information provided by each company to Which?, and publicly available on their websites. The following areas were assessed:
- Generating renewable power
- Buying and selling renewable power
- Carbon intense power (generating power from fossil fuels or buying directly from fossil fuel generators)
- Selling green gas
- TOU (Time of use) and SEG (Smart export guarantee) tariffs
- Low carbon installations
- Transparency and clarity
About Which?
Which? is the UK’s consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We’re the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we’re not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful.
The information in this press release is for editorial use by journalists and media outlets only. Any business seeking to reproduce information in this release should contact the Which? Endorsement Scheme team at endorsementscheme@which.co.uk.