Green business
We're committed to creating a cleaner planet and supporting your business in reducing its carbon footprint. As a recognised leader in climate change action, we take pride in offering sustainable solutions for your energy needs.
Why choose British Gas for low carbon and renewable business energy?
Renewable Electricity & Gas options
Our 100% renewable business electricity is backed by REGOs from natural energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro. We also have renewable gas options.
Recognised leader on climate change action
We've been recognised for our action and disclosure on climate change by the CDP, a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system that helps organisations manage their environmental impact.
Working towards net zero together
We manage 15GW of energy assets. That's twice the size of the UK's nuclear fleet. Around 80% are natural power sources like wind and solar, which are helping to transform the UK's energy landscape.
Our green energy products
We offer zero carbon electricity as standard on all new and renewed fixed term contracts. But if you want to boost your organisation's green credentials further, you can opt for one of our low carbon or renewable energy plans for an added premium:
Natural Renewable Electricity
100% of your electricity will be backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin from natural UK sources such as solar, wind and hydro.
Carbon Neutral Gas
90% will be backed by Carbon Offsets from qualified and registered projects. 10% of your gas will be backed by RGGOs from UK renewable green gas.
Renewable Gas
100% of your gas will be backed by Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin from UK renewable green gas.
Managing your business energy data
Smart meters
Smart meters are the clever way to measure your business energy use. Once your smart meter is connected and sending smart readings to us you'll receive accurate bills.
Energy 360 DataView
Energy360 DataView is available for our existing business customers to view energy consumption data and ultimately get better control.
Power your business with solar PV panels
Target your long term net zero goals and generate your own business energy. Save money on your electricity bills with solar PV panels - with return on investment in as little as 3 years.
Business energy saving
Energy saving tools and tips to help you manage your business energy and improve energy efficiency.
Supporting your carbon reporting
Our Natural Renewable Electricity option can help to show you're reducing your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and working towards your sustainability goals.
Help for struggling businesses
We understand that rising energy costs are concerning and we are committed to support all of our customers.
How does a renewable or low carbon energy contract work?
When renewable energy is distributed through the grid, it's mixed with non-renewable sources. So, we can't send purely renewable electricity or gas to your business. Renewable or low-carbon energy contracts are backed by Guarantees of Origin:
Guarantees of origin
- We guarantee that 100% of your energy usage is matched by renewable sources, and backed by REGOs and RGGOs
- These official documents confirm renewable energy generation, allowing suppliers to balance your consumption
- In Carbon Neutral Gas contracts, 10% is renewable and verified by RGGOs
- For the remaining 90%, we invest in carbon offsets globally
- Carbon offsets compensate for emissions by supporting projects elsewhere
Carbon offsets
- Carbon offsetting enables businesses to balance unavoidable emissions by investing in climate projects elsewhere
- These projects remove carbon or prevent emissions, like transitioning to renewable energy
- Purchasing offsets provides evidence of emission compensation and supports project development
- We ensure project quality and governance for impactful carbon offsetting
- Our approach guarantees tangible environmental benefits and effective emission management
Frequently asked questions
What is renewable energy, how is it generated and why is important to my business?
Renewable energy comes from natural sources or processes that constantly replenish such as the sun, wind, waves, biomass and geothermal heat. Unlike energy produced from fossil fuels, renewable energy is a cleaner, more sustainable alternative that won't run out, and it helps reduce your carbon footprint.
Renewable energy has a much lower environmental impact than energy generated from fossil fuels and it can play a role in slowing global warming by cutting the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Because renewable energy is produced from sustainable sources, it won't run out - ensuring security of supply and less reliance on imported fuels - and it could eventually replace fossil fuels altogether.
What are Guarantee of Origin Certificates and how are they regulated?
There are various types of Guarantee of Origin certificates, depending on the energy type:
Guarantees of Origin (GoO)
GoOs demonstrate that electricity has been produced from EU renewable sources. One GoO is issued for each megawatt hour (MWh) of renewable electricity that's produced. These are the European equivalents of the UK's Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGOs).
Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO)
REGOs demonstrate that electricity has been produced from renewable sources in the UK. One REGO is issued for each megawatt hour (MWh) of renewable electricity that's produced.
Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGOs)
Are unique identifiers issued by the Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of biomethane (or green gas) injected into the grid and registered with the Scheme. RGGOs provide information about where, when and how the green gas was produced it's your guarantee that the gas is authentic and has not been sold to anyone else.
Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) scheme
The Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) scheme provides transparency to consumers about the proportion of electricity that suppliers source from renewable generation. The scheme is overseen by Ofgem who act on behalf of the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). One REGO certificate is issued by Ofgem per megawatt hour (MWh) of qualifying renewable electricity generated.
> Find out more about the REGO scheme
Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS)
The GGCS is a simple and reliable means of tracking the commercial transactions of biomethane (or green gas) through the supply chain to the end consumer, eliminating double counting or double selling of registered green gas. It provides assurance for consumers who buy the gas, confidence in the energy sector and an incentive for gas producers to inject green gas into the grid instead of using it to generate electricity.
The Green Gas Certification Scheme is run by the Renewable Energy Association's subsidiary company, Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd.
What is Carbon Neutral Gas?
A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere.
Offsets are measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e).
Carbon Offsetting is accredited through VERS (Verified emission reductions) obtained from certified carbon offsetting projects.
Carbon offset projects help counteract the release of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, whilst simultaneously improving the livelihood of people around the world.
We match 10% of the gas you use with Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin Certificates (RGGOs) which certify that this amount of gas is from renewable generation. Naturally occurring biogas, produced from matter such as leftover food, sewage and agricultural waste, is treated in order for it to be of high enough quality to be used in the gas grid. It is processed to remove impurities and upgraded to a higher methane content which is more comparable to natural gas.
Whenever possible, for the remaining 90% we buy carbon offsets to help neutralise the emissions from the gas our customers use from a Gold Standard Foundation projects from around the world, helping to fund carbon emission savings in other parts of the world.
How can I use the British Gas Renewable products for my corporate carbon reporting?
The British Gas Renewable Electricity for Business product enables you to report zero grams CO2 per kilowatt hour Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity when reporting using the market-based method, in accordance with the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance.
To report carbon emissions according to the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance, you don't need the actual certificates themselves, although you need evidence that we have correctly allocated enough certificates to your supply and that this has been verified, which is achieved through the Carbon Trust assurance process. For large business customers we can provide a list of the certificate serial numbers and will do so annually in September/October. For small business customers a copy of our product-specific Fuel Mix and associated emissions factors can be found on our website.
Emission factors are calculated for each British Gas product by multiplying the megawatt hours of power generated by each type of generation technology for a 12-month period up to 31st March each year (to align with the Fuel Mix Disclosure reporting year) by a corresponding emission factor for each technology type. Emission factors for each technology type are taken from Ofgem, using the published values corresponding to the relevant Fuel Mix Disclosure reporting year. The Ofgem emission factors cover carbon dioxide only, and do not include other Kyoto greenhouse gases [GHGs] such as methane which may be emitted by some forms of electricity generation. Ofgem allocates a zero g CO2/kWh emission factor to all electricity generation classed as renewable, which includes energy from waste and biofuel. For wholesale electricity purchased by British Gas, the UK residual mix emission factor for the corresponding Fuel Mix Disclosure reporting year is used.
For gas, developed by The World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the GHG protocol sets the global standard for how to measure, manage and report greenhouse gas emissions.
