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The U.S. Utilities Decarbonization Index

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The data in this infographic comes from the NPUC Annual Utility Decarbonization Report 2022

Infographic: The U.S. Utilities Decarbonization Index 2022

The U.S. Utilities Decarbonization Index

With the Biden administration targeting a zero-emissions power sector for the U.S. by 2035, how are the nation’s largest electric power providers faring in terms of decarbonization? 

Together, Visual Capitalist and our sponsor National Public Utilities Council have developed the Annual Utility Decarbonization Index. The index quantifies and compares the status of decarbonization among the 30 largest investor-owned utilities in the United States.

Decarbonization is quantified by scoring companies on six emissions-related metrics based on publicly available data from 2020 (the latest available).

Why the 30 Largest IOUs?

Why does the Decarbonization Index specifically look at the 30 largest IOUs by electricity generation? 

Well, these 30 utilities collectively generated around 2.3 billion megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity (including purchased power), making up over half of U.S. net electricity generation in 2020. Moreover, they also served over 90 million customers, accounting for roughly 56% of all electric customers in the country.

30 largest utilities in the U.S.

Therefore, it’s safe to say that the 30 largest IOUs have an important role in decarbonizing both the power sector and the U.S. economy. Since the residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors all use electricity, the decarbonization of utilities—the providers of electric power—can enable emissions reduction throughout the economy.

Decarbonization Index Methodology

For each of the six metrics used in the Decarbonization Index, utilities are scored on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), indicating whether they are trailing or leading, respectively. Scores for each metric are based on the range of figures for each metric divided into five equal buckets that the utilities fall into. 

For simplicity, let’s suppose that the lowest reported total emissions figure is zero metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the highest is 100 metric tons. In that case, companies that emit fewer than 20 metric tons of CO2 will receive the highest score of 5. Those that emit between 20 and 40 metric tons of CO2 will receive a 4, and so on.

A utility’s overall decarbonization score is an average of their scores across the six metrics, summarized below:

  1. Fuel Mix: The share of low-carbon sources (renewables, nuclear, and fuel cells) in the utility’s owned net electricity generation. We’ve assumed that the share of low-carbon sources can range from 0% to 100%, and scores are assigned based on that range.
  2. CO2 Emissions Intensity: The amount of CO2 emitted per megawatt-hour of owned and purchased electricity generation.
  3. Total CO2 Emissions: The sum of absolute CO2 emissions from owned and purchased electricity generation. While this overlooks the differing sizes of utilities, the rationale is that smaller unconsolidated utilities may find it easier to decarbonize than larger peers.
  4. CO2 Emissions per Capita: The amount of CO2 emitted from owned and purchased electricity generation per retail customer served in 2020.
  5. Decarbonization Goals: An evaluation of the utility’s interim greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals and net-zero targets. The baseline for this is 50% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050 (utilities with baseline targets get a score of 2.5/5).
  6. Low-Carbon Investment: The share of planned capital expenditure (CAPEX) for electricity generation that is allocated to low-carbon sources. We’ve assumed that the share of CAPEX for low-carbon sources can range from 0% to 100%, and scores are assigned based on that range.

The data for these metrics comes from various sources including company sustainability reports, quantitative reporting templates from the Edison Electric Institute, and the Climate Disclosure Project’s Climate Change Questionnaire filings.

Explore all six metrics of the U.S. Utility Decarbonization Index

NPUC Annual Utility Decarbonization Report

Download The NPUC Annual Utility Decarbonization Report for free.

The Annual Utility Decarbonization Index 2022

Before looking at numbers, it’s important to note that the Decarbonization Index is relative and compares the 30 largest IOUs to each other. Therefore, a score of 5 does not indicate full decarbonization or net-zero emissions. Instead, it suggests that the utility is doing particularly well relative to its peers. 

With that in mind, here’s a look at the Annual Utility Decarbonization Index 2022: 

Rank
CompanyDecarbonization Score
#1Public Service Enterprise Group4.7
#2NextEra Energy Resources4.7
#3Pacific Gas and Electric4.5
#4Avangrid4.2
#5Exelon4.1
#6Portland General Electric3.7
#7Dominion Energy3.6
#8Florida Power and Light3.6
#9PNM Resources3.5
#10Alliant Energy3.4
#11Consolidated Edison3.4
#12Fortis Inc.3.4
#13American Electric Power3.3
#14Consumers Energy3.3
#15Evergy3.0
#16NRG Energy3.0
#17AES Corporation2.9
#18Xcel Energy2.9
#19WEC Energy2.9
#20DTE Energy2.8
#21Duke Energy2.8
#22Entergy2.8
#23TransAlta2.8
#24Emera2.7
#25Ameren2.6
#26Berkshire Hathaway Energy2.5
#27Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company2.4
#28Southern Company2.3
#29PPL Corporation2.2
#30Vistra Corp.2.0

A small number of companies did not report data on certain metrics and have been excluded from scoring for those metrics (denoted as N/A). In such cases, the decarbonization score is an average of five metrics instead of six.

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), headquartered in New Jersey, tops this year’s rankings thanks to its low-emissions profile and ambitious climate goals. The company is aiming to achieve net-zero emissions from operations by 2030—five years ahead of the Biden Administration’s target and faster than any other utility on the list.

Tied with PSEG is NextEra Energy Resources, the clean energy-focused subsidiary of NextEra Energy. The company is the world’s largest producer of solar and wind power and generated 97% of its net electricity from low-carbon sources in 2020.

In third place is California’s largest utility, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). PG&E had the lowest emissions per capita of the 30 largest IOUs at 0.5 metric tons of CO2 per retail customer in 2020. That figure is significantly lower than the average of 11.5 metric tons across the 30 IOUs. 

Rounding out the top five are Avangrid, a renewables-focused U.S. subsidiary of the Spanish Iberdrola Group, and Exelon, the nation’s largest utility by number of retail customers. Avangrid had one of the cleanest fuel mixes with 87% of its owned net electricity coming from low-carbon sources. Exelon is the nation’s largest provider of emissions-free electricity, generating around 157 million MWh or 86% of its owned net electricity from nuclear power.

Download the Full Utility Decarbonization Report

While the Decarbonization Index provides a look at the current status of utility decarbonization, there’s much more to uncover in the full report, including:

  • The obstacles that utilities face on the path to decarbonization
  • The detailed data behind the six individual metrics
  • The U.S. utilities ESG report card
  • The solutions and strategies that can help accelerate decarbonization

Download the full report and find out everything you need to know about utility decarbonization.

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Decarbonization

The 2024 Utility Decarbonization Index

This column chart shows the top 10 rankings for the 2024 Decarbonization Index from the Annual Utility Decarbonization Report.

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The preview image for a column chart showing the top 10 rankings for the 2024 Decarbonization Index

The 2024 Utility Decarbonization Index

Electric utilities and the power sector in the U.S. are crucial for averting the climate crisis, especially as electricity demand rises. But how do the nation’s largest electricity producers compare on the necessity of decarbonization?

In partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, we present the 2024 edition of our Annual Utility Decarbonization Index. The index uses the latest available data to track the decarbonization progress of the 47 largest investor-owned utilities (IOUs) in the United States.

The Index Ranking

The 47 IOUs featured in the Index are the largest private electricity producers in the U.S., accounting for over two-thirds of the nation’s electricity generation in 2022. As a result, these utilities’ decarbonization efforts will significantly impact the 33% of U.S. emissions that come from the power sector.

A score of five signifies that the utility is a leader in decarbonization compared to its peers. It does not mean that the utility has fully decarbonized or achieved net-zero emissions.

Here are the top 10 IOUs in this year’s ranking:

RankCompanyDecarbonization Score
#1Pacific Gas and Electric4.6
#2Avangrid4.2
#3Public Service Enterprise Group4.1
#4NextEra Energy3.7
#5Dominion Energy3.6
#6American Electric Power3.4
#7Emera3.4
#8Fortis3.3
#9Sempra3.3
#10Constellation Energy3.3

After placing fourth last year, Pacific Gas and Electric is now #1 in the Annual Utility Decarbonization Index, thanks to significant improvements in fuel mix and emissions per customer.

The second and third-place utilities in this year’s Index, Avangrid and Public Service Enterprise Group, also greatly improved their emissions per customer figures from 2021–2022.

How Does it Work?

The Decarbonization Index uses the following six metrics to compare the current environmental efforts of the largest investor-owned utilities:

  1. Fuel Mix
    The share of carbon-free sources such as nuclear and renewables in a company’s owned generation mix.
  2. CO2 Emissions Intensity
    The amount of CO2 emitted per megawatt-hour of electricity generated and purchased.
  3. Total CO2 Emissions
    Absolute CO2 emissions from owned and purchased electricity generation.
  4. CO2 Emissions Per Customer
    CO2 emissions from owned and purchased electricity generation per customer.
  5. Decarbonization Goals
    An evaluation of a company’s interim greenhouse gas reduction goal, ultimate net-zero target, and reported progress. 
  6. Carbon-Free Investment
    The share of planned capital expenditure (CAPEX) for electricity generation allocated to carbon-free sources.

All 47 IOUs in the Decarbonization Index are scored on a scale of 0-5 for each of the six metrics. A utility’s final decarbonization score is the average of the six metrics.

The 2024 report assigns a score of zero where numbers are unreported to emphasize the importance of sustainability reporting.

In previous years, companies that did not report data for certain calculations were excluded from that metric, and their total decarbonization score was an average of five or fewer metrics, as opposed to all six.

Data for the index was pulled from company sustainability reports, quantitative ESG reporting templates from the Edison Electric Institute, and the Climate Disclosure Project’s Climate Change Questionnaire filings.

Download the 2024 Annual Utility Decarbonization Report

In addition to the Decarbonization Index, there’s much more, including:

  • Inflation Reduction Act impacts
  • Costs of renewables
  • Year-to-year progression from the previous index
  • Fuel mix rankings for the largest public utilities
  • Gas utility emissions rankings

Are you interested in seeing the rest of the rankings? Download the 2024 NPUC Annual Utility Decarbonization Report and find out everything you need to know about the clean energy transition of the U.S. power sector.

Learn how the National Public Utilities Council is working toward the future of sustainable electricity.

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Decarbonization

Visualized: Emission Reduction Targets by Country in 2024

This infographic shows the greenhouse gas emissions targets of all countries and their target years with data from Net Zero Tracker.

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The preview image for an infographic showing the greenhouse gas emissions for all countries around the globe and their target years compared to 2021 with data from Net Zero Tracker.

Visualized: Emission Reduction Targets by Country in 2024

Since 2021, another 40 countries have established climate goals for 2030. However, the path to net zero remains uneven.

With average national warming already 1.81°C above pre-industrial levels, the international pressure for countries to cut emissions faster and deeper is mounting. So where do countries stand today on their targets?

We’ve partnered with the National Public Utilities Council to answer just this question, using the latest national emission target data from Net Zero Tracker.

A Spotlight on Major Players

The largest countries and richest economies typically emit the most greenhouse gases and thus have the most crucial targets.

CountryEnd TargetEnd Target YearNew Commitment
BeninNet zero2000Achieved
BhutanCarbon negative2030Achieved
ComorosNet zero2050Achieved
GabonCarbon neutral(ity)2050Achieved
GuyanaNet zero2050Achieved
SurinameNet zero2050Achieved
AlbaniaEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
AlgeriaReduction v. business-as-usual (BAU)2030Not legally binding
BarbadosCarbon neutral(ity)2030Not legally binding
BelarusEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
BotswanaEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
BruneiEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
CameroonReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
CongoReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
Côte d'IvoireReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
CubaOther2030Not legally binding
Czech RepublicEmissions reduction target2030In law
DominicaCarbon neutral(ity)2030Not legally binding
EgyptOther2030Not legally binding
El SalvadorAbsolute emissions target2030Not legally binding
EswatiniReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
GuatemalaEmissions reduction target2030In law
HondurasReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
IranOther2030In law
IraqOther2030Not legally binding
JamaicaEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
JordanReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
KenyaReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
LiechtensteinEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
MacedoniaEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
MaldivesNet zero2030In law
MauritaniaCarbon neutral(ity)2030Not legally binding
MexicoReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
MoldovaEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
MongoliaEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
MontenegroEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
MoroccoReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
North KoreaReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
ParaguayReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
PhilippinesReduction v. BAU2030Not legally binding
PolandEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
QatarEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
San MarinoEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
SerbiaEmissions reduction target2030In law
TajikistanEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
TurkmenistanEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
UzbekistanEmissions intensity target2030Not legally binding
VenezuelaEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
ZimbabweEmissions reduction target2030Not legally binding
BermudaOther2035Not legally binding
FinlandClimate neutral2035In law
Antigua and BarbudaNet zero2040Not legally binding
AustriaClimate neutral2040In law
Cayman IslandsOther2040Not legally binding
IcelandCarbon neutral(ity)2040In law
MyanmarNet zero2040Not legally binding
PalestineOther2040Not legally binding
DenmarkNet zero2045Not legally binding
GermanyClimate neutral2045In law
NepalNet zero2045Not legally binding
SwedenNet zero2045In law
AfghanistanNet zero2050Not legally binding
AndorraCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
AngolaNet zero2050Not legally binding
ArgentinaNet zero2050Not legally binding
ArmeniaClimate neutral2050Not legally binding
AustraliaNet zero2050In law
AzerbaijanEmissions reduction target2050Not legally binding
BangladeshNet zero2050Not legally binding
BelgiumCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
BelizeNet zero2050Not legally binding
Bosnia and HerzegovinaEmissions reduction target2050Not legally binding
BrazilCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
BulgariaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Burkina FasoNet zero2050Not legally binding
BurundiNet zero2050Not legally binding
CambodiaCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
CanadaNet zero2050In law
Cape VerdeNet zero2050Not legally binding
Central African RepublicNet zero2050Not legally binding
ChadNet zero2050Not legally binding
ChileCarbon neutral(ity)2050In law
ColombiaCarbon neutral(ity)2050In law
Cook IslandsCarbon neutral2050Not legally binding
Costa RicaNet zero2050Not legally binding
CroatiaClimate neutral2050In law
CyprusClimate neutral2050In law
Democratic Republic of the CongoNet zero2050Not legally binding
DjiboutiNet zero2050Not legally binding
Dominican RepublicNet zero2050Not legally binding
EcuadorZero carbon2050Not legally binding
Equatorial GuineaEmissions reduction target2050Not legally binding
EritreaNet zero2050Not legally binding
EstoniaZero emissions2050Not legally binding
EthiopiaNet zero2050Not legally binding
European UnionClimate neutral2050In law
FijiNet zero2050In law
FranceNet zero2050In law
GeorgiaClimate neutral2050Not legally binding
GreeceClimate neutral2050In law
GrenadaNet zero2050Not legally binding
GuineaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Guinea-BissauNet zero2050Not legally binding
HaitiNet zero2050Not legally binding
HungaryNet zero2050In law
IrelandClimate neutral2050In law
IsraelNet zero2050Not legally binding
ItalyCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
JapanCarbon neutral(ity)2050In law
KiribatiNet zero2050Not legally binding
KyrgyzstanCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
LaosNet zero2050Not legally binding
LatviaCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
LebanonNet zero2050Not legally binding
LesothoNet zero2050Not legally binding
LiberiaNet zero2050Not legally binding
LithuaniaNet zero2050Not legally binding
LuxembourgNet zero2050In law
MadagascarNet zero2050Not legally binding
MalawiNet zero2050Not legally binding
MalaysiaNet zero2050Not legally binding
MaliNet zero2050Not legally binding
MaltaClimate neutral2050Not legally binding
Marshall IslandsNet zero2050Not legally binding
MauritiusNet zero2050Not legally binding
MicronesiaNet zero2050Not legally binding
MonacoCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
MozambiqueNet zero2050Not legally binding
NamibiaNet zero2050Not legally binding
NauruNet zero2050Not legally binding
NetherlandsEmissions reduction target2050In law
New ZealandNet zero2050In law
NicaraguaNet zero2050Not legally binding
NigerNet zero2050Not legally binding
NiueNet zero2050Not legally binding
NorwayEmissions reduction target2050In law
OmanNet zero2050Not legally binding
PakistanNet zero2050Not legally binding
PalauNet zero2050Not legally binding
PanamaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Papua New GuineaNet zero2050Not legally binding
PeruNet zero2050Not legally binding
PortugalCarbon neutral(ity)2050In law
RomaniaNet zero2050Not legally binding
RwandaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Saint Kitts and NevisNet zero2050Not legally binding
Saint LuciaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesNet zero2050Not legally binding
SamoaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Sao Tome and PrincipeNet zero2050Not legally binding
SenegalNet zero2050Not legally binding
SeychellesNet zero2050Not legally binding
Sierra LeoneNet zero2050Not legally binding
SingaporeNet zero2050Not legally binding
SlovakiaNet zero2050In law
SloveniaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Solomon IslandsNet zero2050Not legally binding
SomaliaNet zero2050Not legally binding
South AfricaNet zero2050Not legally binding
South KoreaNet zero2050In law
South SudanNet zero2050Not legally binding
SpainClimate neutral2050In law
Sri LankaCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
SudanNet zero2050Not legally binding
SwitzerlandNet zero2050In law
TanzaniaNet zero2050Not legally binding
The BahamasNet zero2050Not legally binding
The GambiaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Timor-LesteNet zero2050Not legally binding
TogoNet zero2050Not legally binding
TongaNet zero2050Not legally binding
Trinidad and TobagoNet zero2050Not legally binding
TunisiaCarbon neutral(ity)2050Not legally binding
TuvaluNet zero2050Not legally binding
UgandaNet zero2050Not legally binding
United Arab EmiratesNet zero2050Not legally binding
United KingdomNet zero2050In law
United States of AmericaNet zero2050In law
UruguayNet zero2050Not legally binding
VanuatuNet zero2050Not legally binding
Vatican CityCarbon Neutral2050Not legally binding
VietnamNet zero2050Not legally binding
YemenNet zero2050Not legally binding
ZambiaNet zero2050Not legally binding
BahrainNet zero2060Not legally binding
ChinaCarbon neutral(ity)2060Not legally binding
IndonesiaNet zero2060Not legally binding
KazakhstanCarbon neutral(ity)2060Not legally binding
KuwaitCarbon neutral(ity)2060Not legally binding
Russian FederationCarbon neutral(ity)2060Not legally binding
Saudi ArabiaNet zero2060Not legally binding
TürkiyeNet zero2053Not legally binding
UkraineCarbon neutral(ity)2060Not legally binding
GhanaNet zero2070Not legally binding
IndiaNet zero2070Not legally binding
NigeriaNet zero2070In law
ThailandNet zero2065Not legally binding
BoliviaNo targetN/ANone
LibyaNo targetN/ANone
Syrian Arab RepublicNo targetN/ANone

The United States has an interim goal of a 50-52% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2030, with a net zero target set for 2050.

Their primary economic rival, China, is focused on peaking its CO₂ emissions by 2030 instead of reducing them. Their net zero target, on the other hand, is currently set for 2060.

The European Union requires all 27 member states to reduce emissions 55% by 2030, with a net-zero goal for 2050.

Australia, which is among the top emitters per capita because of its fossil fuel usage, aims to reduce emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030, while their net zero target is set for 2050.

Ambitious Climate Leaders and Laggards

While Comoros, Bhutan, Gabon, Suriname, and Guyana claim to have already achieved net zero, several major countries lack commitment.

Russia, one of the world’s largest polluters, has a net zero target set for 2060. Several other top-emitting countries, such as India and Indonesia, have net zero targets that also do not meet the Paris Climate Accord timeline of net zero by 2050. Their net-zero commitments are targeted at 2070 and 2060, respectively.

Iran is the only one of the top 10 largest emitting nations without a net zero target. However, it has an interim target of reducing emissions 3.45% by 2030.

Finland leads all countries with a legally binding net zero target set for the ambitious year 2035. Germany, a more populous nation, is also topping the Paris Climate Accord timeline, enshrining its net zero target into law for 2045.

The global race to net zero is ongoing, with countries at various stages of commitment. While significant progress has been made, many of the world’s largest emitters have yet to commit to net zero emission goals aligned with the Paris Climate Accord.

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