At National Gas, we develop an Environmental Action Plan (EAP) for each five-year price control period. Our EAP includes an analysis of our significant environmental impacts and opportunities arising from our activities, alongside a set of actions to address, manage and reduce those impacts.

Measuring our Progress

We measure progress against each our EAP commitments in our Annual Environmental Report (AER). 

Reducing methane emissions

National Gas has pledged to reduce methane emissions from our operations with a specific focus on operational venting and detection and quantification of fugitive emissions. As part of our methane emission reduction, projects are underway, grouped into three themes. These projects begun in RIIO-T2 and continue into the RIIO-GT3 period with the aim to reduce methane emissions by up to 90% within the price control.

 The three themes are:  

1. Mobile recompression – adding mobile pipeline recompression capability and new mobile recompression units to capture methane emissions from pipeline inspection works and compressor station depressurisations.
2. Compressor machinery train – trials of combined gas recompression to reduce methane emissions from compressor venting, which is the largest contributor to NTS methane emissions.
3. Detection and analytics – an expansion of our fugitive monitoring programme to all above ground installations on the NTS and establishment of a measurement based fugitive performance baseline.

In addition to these methane emission reduction initiatives National Gas also has three incentives in the RIIO-GT3 price control period linked to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These incentives cover compressor and pipeline venting and fugitive emission performance.

Reporting climate risk

We have committed to assessing and reporting the risk from climate change to our assets. To fulfil this commitment, National Gas participates in the Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP) process set out in the Climate Change Act 2008. Our ARP reports describe:

• The current and future projected impacts of climate change on our business.
• Our proposals for adapting to climate change to manage climate risks.
• Progress with actions set out in previous reports.

National Gas last reported in the ARP Fourth Round in December 2024 and is participating in preparations for round five due for submission in 2029.

Additional narrative associated with National Gas’ approach to managing climate risk can be found in its Climate Financial Disclosure (CFD) in the Annual Report and Accounts (link to ARAs).