We want to continuously reduce our own CO₂ footprint. We aim to follow a 1.5 degree-aligned path for Scopes 1 and 2 emissions and a “well below 2 degrees”-aligned decarbonization path for Scope 3 emissions. The target is to reduce our CO₂ emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 by 83% by 2035 (based on the reference year of 2018). In the same period, we also aim to reduce our emissions from gas sales in Scope 3 by 43% in comparison to the reference year 2018. We have had these targets validated by the SBTi. Along this path, we have also defined various intermediate targets and milestones: 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.
Further information on our climate neutrality target is available at Climate protection goals | EnBW.
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 2024 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)
- Fuel procurement and externally purchased fuel sold to endusers
- Purchased goods and services
- Waste
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)
- Investments
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
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| Scope 1 | 8.9 | 10.9 | 17.5 | 16.4 | 9.6 |
| Scope 2 ¹ | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.8 |
| Scope 3 | 30.4 | 34.0 | 37.7 | 60.9 | 49.8 |
| Avoided emissions | 10.8 | 9.9 | 10 | 9.8 | 8.9 |
1 Market-based method. According to the location-based method, the Scope 2 emissions were 1.4 million t CO₂eq in 2023 and 1.2 million t CO₂eq in 2024
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 10.9 million t CO₂eq in 2023 to 8.9 million t CO₂eq in 2024. We reduced our market-based Scope 2 CO₂ emissions from 789 thousand t CO₂eq to 691 thousand t CO₂eq. This was due to lower indirect CO₂ emissions from grid losses, while our indirect CO₂ emissions from our power plants including pumped storage power plants remained at the same level as in the previous year. 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 in the 2024 financial year from 34.0 million t CO₂eq in the previous year to 30.4 million t CO₂eq. The increase in electricity generation from renewable energies led to a rise in CO₂ emissions avoided from 9,874 thousand t CO₂eq in 2023 to 10,815 thousand t CO₂eq in 2024.
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.
Own generation of electricity fell in 2024 compared to the previous year to 23.3 TWh. Renewable energy generation increased in comparison to the previous year. This rise was due to higher generation volumes from hydropower plants and the expansion of photovoltaic power plants and onshore wind farms, despite the fact that the onshore wind farms experienced poorer weather conditions than in the previous year. The volume of electricity generated by our thermal generation plants fell in comparison to the previous year. The reasons for this decrease were lower deployment of our thermal generation plants due to market prices and availability issues and the transfer of Block 7 of the Rheinhafen steam power plant in Karlsruhe to the grid reserve. The proportion of own generation from renewable energy sources thus increased in comparison to the previous year to 62.9%. This led to a decrease of our specific carbon emissions in own generation from 343 g CO₂/kWh in 2023 to 298 g CO₂/kWh in 2024.
| EnBW Group | German average in previous year | |
| 2024 | 298 | 324 |
| 2023 | 343 | 377 |
| 2022 | 401 | 350 |
| 2021 | 386 | 310 |
| 2020 | 268 | 352 |
¹ Including partly owned power plants.
² Including the share of positive redispatch that cannot be controlled by EnBW and including nuclear generation until 2023. From 2024 onwards, nuclear generation is no longer included due to the final phasing out of nuclear power.