POWERING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

In today’s world, sustainability is more than a promise. It’s our foundation for the future.
At ESP Utilities Group, we believe in building resilient, eco-conscious networks and we’re already serving over a million connections across the UK. This Sustainability Report marks a pivotal step in our journey to openly share our impact, progress, and goals.

We have published our first Sustainability Report.

In it you can find out how we are meeting our goals and planning for the future.

Sustainability Report

CEO’S FOREWORD

ESP’s Board and management recognise that our path to becoming the number one adopter of choice goes hand in hand with operating sustainably – for people and the planet. Our success is built on the enduring and collaborative relationships with our customers, our people, and our investors. We are committed to being an environmentally and socially responsible network owner, holding ourselves, and those we work with, to the highest standards of conduct and ethics. Transparency and Excellence are two of our core values, so we are proud to introduce our first Sustainability Report, which shares our current environmental impact and the goals we’ve set to make a difference. As we continue to develop and implement our Sustainability Strategy, we are committed to producing this report each year, ensuring our stakeholders have a clear view of our progress in building stronger communities, driving innovation, and creating meaningful change.

“Sustainability isn’t just a commitment. It’s our responsibility.”

Kevin O’Connor, CEO

OUR STRATEGIC 
SUSTAINABILITY PILLARS

Our sustainability strategy is anchored on three foundational pillars:

SUSTAINABLE

We are a safe and innovative

operator, investing in our future.

DIVERSE

We champion inclusivity and

diversity, investing in our people.

RESPONSIBLE

We are a trusted corporate citizen,

investing in our communities.

  • SUSTAINABLE

    Investing in safety and innovation for a secure and greener future

    The health and safety of our team, contractors, and the communities we serve remains our highest priority. Overseen by the Health and Safety Executive, we believe in a strong culture of proactive hazard reporting that enables us to identify improvements and prevent serious incidents. Together with our construction partners, we develop modern and efficient networks built for the long term. We conduct regular audits throughout the construction phase to ensure all procedures and safety standards are met.

    Our sustainability strategy is designed around essential initiatives that bring 
environmental, social, and economic benefits to everyone, including:

    MEASURING & REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS

    We have set ambitious, externally verified, Paris-aligned carbon reduction targets. We have been actively monitoring and reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across our operations, since 2018 as part of our Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) submissions.

    EMPOWERING ELECTRIC TRANSPORT

    We lead the way in rolling out infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) across the UK. From EV charge points in residential areas to bus garages, retail parking, and forecourts, we’re reducing emissions and noise pollution while enabling a cleaner future.

    BUILDING NETWORKS FOR 
A LOW-CARBON TRANSITION

    Our electricity networks are expanding 
to support low-carbon heating solutions, while our modern gas networks can transport up to 100% hydrogen blends, aligning with COP28 goals for phasing 
out fossil fuels. We’re also preparing 
to launch heat network solutions for decarbonised heating in homes.

    CONSERVING WATER THROUGH SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE

    We promote Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in developments and actively encourage developers in their use.

    Our commitment to implement SuDS which separate foul and surface water systems 
to reduce sewer outflows supports more sustainable urban water use.

  • DIVERSE

    Championing inclusivity, development and growth

    Our team is at the heart of ESP’s success, and we’re dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive workplace where every employee feels valued and has opportunities to grow. By investing in the development and wellbeing of our people, we’re building a culture that reflects our core values 
and supports a collaborative, high-performing environment.

    Our approach to diversity and inclusivity includes key initiatives that 
provide social and economic benefits to our team, including:

    CREATING A SUPPORTIVE & FLEXIBLE WORKPLACE

    In response to changing workforce needs, 
we introduced flexible hybrid working options, offering our employees greater work-life balance.

    All team members have access 
to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, providing support and resources for personal and professional challenges.

    We offer flexible benefits, including universal private medical care for all employees, underscoring our commitment 
to their health & wellbeing.

    EMPOWERING PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

    We offer a range of learning programmes, from professional qualifications to unconscious bias training, building 
a culture of continuous improvement.

    Our ‘Step Up’ management training programme has a proven track record 
in developing high-performing employees. Now in its fifth year, It includes career coaching, 360-degree appraisals, and mentorship, providing tailored growth opportunities. See our Staff engagement section for more details.

    We support learning at all career stages with apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and monthly training sessions to build skills, engagement, and confidence.

    CELEBRATING AND RECOGNISING DIVERSITY

    We celebrate our diversity through a cultural calendar, promoting awareness and inclusion across our workforce.

    Regular staff feedback forums ensure 
that every voice is heard, with feedback shaping our policies and initiatives.

    Through our core values – Be Transparent, Be Excellent, Be Ambitious, Be Respectful, and Be Collaborative – we encourage and reward behaviours that strengthen our culture and create a sense of belonging.

  • RESPONSIBLE

    Integrity and commitment in our communities

    We understand our role as a network provider goes far beyond infrastructure. We have a responsibility to our customers, employees, and communities. By upholding the highest standards in compliance, customer service, and corporate governance, we make sure 
our operations reflect our values of transparency, integrity, and social responsibility. Our robust three lines of defence approach – operational teams, management oversight, and external audits ensures we are always accountable and proactive in addressing risks.

    Our commitment to responsible operations includes:

    PROMOTING COMPLIANCE AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

    We have established KPI monitoring at the operational level, such as water quality checks, and regularly review root causes to prevent future issues. Continuous process improvement ensures that we maintain 
the standards our stakeholders expect.

    SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES

    Since launching our volunteering initiative 
in 2023, we encourage employees to give back to local charities with paid volunteer days. The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) provides a trusted framework for measuring environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance in real estate and infrastructure. By aligning with GRESB standards, we continually evaluate and improves our ESG factors and address industry challenges.

    UPHOLDING INTEGRITY AND RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE

    Regular company meetings provide our people with updates on business matters, and our active LinkedIn page shares achievements and milestones with the wider community. Our established policies are readily accessible to all of our team, promoting an open and informed workplace culture.

    SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS AND PROCUREMENT

    We use our position to encourage best practices and transparency within our supply chain. By working closely with our partners, we help drive sustainable procurement policies and responsible industry standards.

Read the 2024 Sustainability Report

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