which one reveals the best and worst energy suppliers for sustainability

The top three won the Which? The approval of the green supplier and the total score of the purchase and sale of renewable energy and its greenhouse gas emissions. The Consumer Champion analysis involved asking suppliers a series of questions about sustainability practices, and their responses were assessed using a points-based scoring system.

which one it also gave points to providers that supplied green gas and offered above-average time-of-use (TOU) products and tariffs for export solar. Time-of-use products charge different rates for electricity at different times of the day or on different days. Solar export is the process of selling excess electricity generated by solar panels to the national grid.

Ecotricity and Good Energy have been named Eco Providers for four consecutive years, while Octopus Energy makes the list for the second consecutive year. Octopus, which won 90 percent, generates renewable energy from solar, onshore and offshore wind, and also buys it directly from generators. It has a choice of flexible rates as well as one of the most generous solar export rates.

The energy supplier also installs a range of low-carbon technologies for customers and claims it has made it possible for customers to install and run a heat pump for a similar cost to a gas boiler. Meanwhile, Ecotricity, which won 85 percent, generates electricity from wind and solar power and invests the profits in building more renewable generation. It has built 24 wind farms (74 turbines) since 1995 and recently completed two new solar farms. Ecotricity is one of four companies selling green gas (biomethane).

Unlike other top-scoring companies, it doesn’t yet offer a solar export tariff. Good Energy also scored 85 percent on Consumer Champion’s list of sustainable suppliers for 2024. It buys enough electricity from renewable generators to cover all of its customers’ use, matching more than 90 percent every half hour The company buys much of its electricity from small-scale generators that are not supported by government subsidies, meaning it supports generators that would not otherwise exist.

Of the gas the supplier sells, 10% is green and its solar export rates are among the most generous. which one included 17 energy suppliers in the assessment. Bottom of the table were E (Gas & Electricity) and Outfox the Market, who scored 0 points. They don’t generate renewable energy, they sell less than average, they don’t sell green gas, they don’t offer time-of-use products, a below-average solar export rate, they don’t install low meters carbon and could not provide greenhouse gas emissions data. The other three suppliers near the bottom of the table were Utility Warehouse, Utilita and Rebel Energy.

Utility Warehouse gained 15 percent. All its points were earned in the greenhouse gas emissions section of the consumer champion. Meanwhile, Utilita was fourth from the bottom, earning points for TOU and solar export products, for low-carbon installations and greenhouse gas emissions. It got a total of 35 percent, the same as Rebel Energy. Rebel Energy scored four points (out of seven) for the purchase and sale of renewable energy and three points for its greenhouse gas emissions.

Ultimately, the most impactful way for households to reduce their carbon footprint is to use less gas and electricity. Consumers can use the new home energy planning service from Which? to explore the money-saving efficiency improvements they could make.

Emily Seymour, which one? Energy Editor said:

“We know from our research that many consumers want to make sustainable choices and do their part in reducing carbon emissions.

“Which one? The research shows that some energy companies are doing much more than others when it comes to sustainability, with major suppliers leading the way in areas such as generating renewable energy and helping customers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. ‘greenhouse effect.

“Choosing one of the ecological suppliers of Which? provides the reassurance that your energy supplier has impressive green credentials. You can also use the new home energy planning service from Which? to explore the improvements you could make to reduce your carbon footprint and make your home warmer and more energy efficient this winter.”

Notes to editors:

Use our home energy planning service*

Our green supplier rankings are based on information energy suppliers shared with us in August 2024 and their fuel mix published as Which? went to press. * Octopus Energy supplies London Power and Ebico Living (until September 2024, after which it is powered by Rebel Energy).

*E.ON Next supplies Sainsbury’s Energy.

*Ovo Energy supplies Boost Power. However, Boost customers are unable to access their solar panel offering and are currently being migrated to Ovo.

Full table of results:

Like Which? decides the sustainability score

Sustainability credentials are important when choosing an energy supplier for two-thirds (65%) of those responsible for choosing their supplier, according to research by Which?.* Most important to those surveyed by the consumer advocate on renewable electricity from a supplier. ven is that it’s transparent where it comes from, so that’s where the assessment comes in. Generating, buying and selling renewable energy is a key part of supplier sustainability and is therefore worth half of the assessment points. Companies earned more points for buying renewable energy directly from generators that don’t receive government subsidies.

which one docked points to generate energy from fossil fuels, buy energy from fossil fuel generators or have links to them through the supplier’s parent company. Some simply buy and sell electricity, without participating in its generation. Some, such as EDF Energy and Scottish Power, generate a large volume of renewable energy across large-scale sites. Others generate far less overall but fund new generation through their profits, such as Ecotricity, or, like Good Energy, are set up to support small-scale generators.

But there are more things that contribute to supplier sustainability. which one expanded the assessment this year to include companies’ greenhouse gas emissions, giving the consumer advocate a more complete picture of their global environmental impact, as it does in Eco Provider assessments in other sectors. We looked at companies’ scope 1 and 2 emissions (based on location) and whether they could provide scope 3 emissions data.

Offer customers a route to install technology to reduce their carbon footprint (such as solar panels, heat pumps, battery storage, insulation or electric vehicle chargers), supply green gas, offer time-of-use products (TOU) and offering solar export rates that generators paid an above-average rate (to export it) also won points. *Based on an online survey of 3,000 UK adults in August 2024.

About which one?

which one 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 unbiased, and our rigorous product testing results in expert recommendations. We are the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds companies to account and makes change happen. As an organization, we are non-profit and all about empowering consumers. The information in this press release is for editorial use by journalists and the media only. Any company wishing to reproduce information from this release should contact Which? The Endorsement Scheme Team at [email protected].