Top ten highlights from our Purpose Report 2021
Good Energy is a purpose-led business. That means our reason for being goes beyond simple profit — it’s to power a cleaner, greener future together. We do this by helping people be a part of the solution to climate change. To keep us on track, we publish a purpose report every year to provide an update on our progress.
We have just published our report for 2021, and it is brimming with good stuff from what was both a challenging and vitally important year for climate action.
Here are a few of the highlights.
1. The Good Future Board
2021 was the year that we appointed our Good Future Board. Six secondary school aged young people to hold us to account on our purpose. They joined us in Glasgow for the Conference of Youth (COY16) ahead of the global COP26 climate conference and are front in centre of our Purpose Report with their joint statement on what they hope for the business, and wider climate movement.
2. Renewable Nation
We partnered with expert energy modellers Energy Systems Catapult to produce an in-depth report on how the UK can achieve net zero using a pathway primarily powered by renewables. The report was launched with an event at Energy Day at COP26, which was attended by the then Energy Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
3. Transforming our office space
We revamped our working space in light of our new hybrid working model, including the installation of a giant ‘Gaia’ earth created by artist Luke Jerram, a constant reminder of our purpose.
4. Developing our people
As part of our commitment to developing our people so they can grow their careers within Good Energy, we launched our Good Career programme which saw 68% of participants expand their roles or be promoted.
5. Celebrating diversity
Inclusion is one of Good Energy’s core values, because we cannot combat climate change without everyone on board. In 2021 our internal Inclusion Champions helped push through a plan which includes attracting diverse talent, creating an inclusive culture and being accountable on diversity.
6. Innovative partnerships
We launched partnerships with Caplor Energy and Crystal EV Charging to help customers install energy solutions such as heat pumps and charge points in their homes.
7. Championing our generators
Our generators are at the core of what makes Good Energy different. In 2021 we bought 100% renewable electricity from 1700 local green heroes across Britain. Our Meet the Generators campaign shone a spotlight on some of their fantastic stories, including Bristol Energy Cooperative and Confetti Fields Hydro.
8. Communicating with customers
2021 was challenging too, as the energy crisis started to bite towards the end of the year. As around half of the energy suppliers in the market closed, we continued communicating with customers with messages of reassurance. As the crisis continues, we plan to stick to our goal of explaining what is happening, transparently and sensitively whilst helping impacted customers wherever we can.
9. Combatting greenwash
We have long campaigned against the practice of greenwashing by energy suppliers. In 2021 the industry started to pay attention, with a government investigation and new accreditations — Good Energy was the only supplier with all tariffs accredited with the Uswitch Green Tariff Gold Standard, and received the highest rating as a Which? Eco Provider.
10. Cutting our carbon
Our 2021 Purpose Report provides more in-depth data on our carbon footprint than ever before. Hybrid working, reducing our office space and moving to digital first billing have all had a positive impact on our greenhouse gas emissions. We even launched a lower carbon website. To keep us on the right track, we have committed to an ambitious Science Based Target of reducing emissions across all scopes by 50% by 2030 from a 2018 base year — in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 °C.
