We want to continuously reduce our own CO₂ footprint. We will reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2027 and by 70% by 2030 (based on the reference year of 2018). By 2035 at the latest, we want to be completely climate neutral as a entire company0The EnBW climate neutrality target refers to our own emissions (Scope 1 and 2). Scope 3 is mainly influenced by the gas consumption of our customers and would require the use of climate-neutral gases in the future. The target refers to CO₂eq (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O and SF₆). The reference year is 2018.. Further information on our climate neutrality target is available at www.enbw.com/sustainability.
CO₂ footprint of EnBW
EnBW balances and reports its CO₂ footprint in accordance with the international standard "Greenhouse Gas Protocol", taking into account Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions.
For the fiscal year 2023 a "Business Audit to obtain limited assurance on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Statement of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG in Accordance with ISAE 3000 revised and ISAE 3410" was performed (see download).
In addition, EnBW reports the key figure "Avoided CO₂ emissions" as part of its CO₂ footprint. A key objective of the energy revolution is climate protection through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the efficient use of energy. The "Avoided CO₂ emissions“ are a further measure of EnBW's contribution to achieving this target. This includes all EnBW's activities - both internally and in relation to customers - that support implementation of the energy revolution.
Emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3)
Greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O and SF₆)
Scope 3 upstream
Other indirect greenhouse gas emissions
- Upstream gas sales (gas procurement)
- Procurement of fuel
- Business trips
Scope 3 upstream: Upstream emissions by third parties
Scope 1
Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources belonging to or directly controlled by the company
- Electricity generation
- Heat generation
- Operation of gas pipelines and gas plants
- Operation of electricity grid
- Buildings
- Vehicles
Scope 2: Indirect emissions at EnBW
Scope 2
Indirect greenhouse gas emissions originating during the production of purchased electricity, steam, district heating and cooling that the company consumes; grid losses
- Grid losses
- Operation of plants, electricity grid
- Operation of plants, gas grid
- Operation of plants, water supply
- Buildings
Scope 1: Direct emissions at EnBW
Scope 3 downstream
Other indirect greenhouse gas emissions
- Gas consumption by customers (B2B and B2C gas sales)
Scope 3 downstream: Downstream emissions by third parties
Avoided CO₂ emissions
EnBW business activities that lead to the avoidance of CO₂ emissions and support the targets of the energy revolution:
- Expansion of the generation through renewable energies
- Energy supply contracting
- Energy efficiency projects and expansion of renewable energies at customers/partners
- Production and sale of bio natural gas
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| Scope 1 | 10.9 | 17.5 | 16.4 | 9.6 | 10.8 |
| Scope 2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| Scope 3 | 26.6 | 37.7 | 60.9 | 49.08 | 42.0 |
| Avoided emissions | 9.9 | 10.0 | 9.8 | 8.9 |
Further data on the CO₂ footprint can be found in the Environmental Data Table.
Direct CO₂ emissions are determined mainly by the deployment of our power plants. The volume of electricity generated by our thermal generation plants fell in comparison to the previous year and led to a corresponding decrease in direct CO₂ emissions from 17.5 million t CO₂eq in 2022 to 10.9 million t CO₂eq in 2023. Lower indirect CO₂ emissions from grid losses were the main reason for the decrease in Scope 2 CO₂ emissions from 0.5 million t CO₂eq to 0.4 million t CO₂eq. Scope 3 CO₂ emissions are mainly influenced by the gas consumption of our customers and thus by gas sales in the B2C and B2B sectors. As a result of lower gas sales Scope 3 emissions fell significantly in the 2023 financial year from 37.7 million t CO₂eq in the previous year to 26.6 million t CO₂eq. The increase in CO₂ emissions avoided due to the rise in electricity generation from renewable energies was almost completely compensated for by the fall in biogas activities so that CO₂ emissions avoided of 9.9 million t CO₂eq in 2023 were almost at the same level as in the previous year.
Specific CO₂ emissions of the self-generated electricity
The specific CO₂ emissions of our own electricity generation describe those CO₂ emissions that are emitted on average by EnBW's entire generation portfolio for the production of 1 kWh. This key figure enables a direct comparison of CO₂ emissions from our electricity generation with CO₂ emissions from electricity generation in Germany as published in the context of electricity labelling in accordance with § 42 EnWG.
In 2023, own generation of electricity was considerably below the previous year’s level at 26.6 TWh. This development was primarily attributable to the significantly lower deployment of our thermal generation plants as a consequence of prices on the market and the final decommissioning of our Neckarwestheim II nuclear power plant in April 2023. Renewable energy generation increased in comparison to the previous year. This was due to the addition of new power plants and better wind conditions, as well as higher generation at the hydropower plants in comparison to the previous year, which was a year characterized by low water levels. The proportion of own generation from renewable energy sources thus increased substantially in comparison to the previous year to 47.8%. This led to a decrease of our specific carbon emissions in own generation from 401 g CO₂/kWh in 2022 to 366 g CO₂/kWh in 2023.
| EnBW Group | German average in previous year² | |
| 2023 | 366 | 377 |
| 2022 | 401 | 350 |
| 2021 | 386 | 310 |
| 2020 | 268 | 352 |
| 2019 | 235 | 421 |
¹ Total own electricity generation with the nuclear power plants included. Own electricity generation contains own power plants, contracted power plants and longterm electricity supply contracts.
² The German average for the reporting year in question is not published until the autumn of the following year. Comparison is therefore with the German average for the previous year.