We want to continuously reduce our own CO₂ footprint. We are aiming to achieve decarbonization pathways that are compliant with the 1.5-degree target for our entire corporate footprint (Scopes 1, 2 and 3). The target is to reduce our CO₂ emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 by 95% by 2040 (based on the reference year of 2018). Any remaining emissions will then be offset by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere (net zero emissions). By no later than 2050, we want to reduce emissions from our upstream and downstream value chain (Scope 3) by 90% compared to the base year of 2018 and also offset any remaining emissions from then on. We have had these targets independently assessed by the ratings agency Moody's. 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, 70% by 2030, 83% by 2035, and our Scope 3 emissions by 67% by 2035 (based on the reference year of 2018).
Further information on our net-zero targets 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.
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
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Scope 1 | 11.7 | 8.9 | 10.9 | 17.5 | 16.4 |
| Scope 2 ¹ | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Scope 3 | 31.7 | 30.0 | 34.0 | 37.7 | 60.9 |
| Avoided emissions | 9.7 | 10.8 | 9.9 | 10 | 9.8 |
1 Market-based method. According to the location-based method, the Scope 2 emissions were 1.267 thousand t CO₂eq in 2024 and 1.302 thousand t CO₂eq in 2025
Further data on the CO₂ footprint can be found in the ESG Figures 2025.
Direct CO₂ emissions are determined mainly by the deployment of our power plants. The volume of electricity generated by our thermal generation plants increased in comparison to the previous year and led to a corresponding rise in direct CO₂ emissions from 8.9 million t CO₂eq in 2024 to 11.7 million t CO₂eq in 2025. Our Scope 2 emissions mainly involve indirect emissions from grid losses and pumped electricity, as well as from electricity drawn from the grid at our generation plants. In 2025, we recorded a decrease in market-based Scope 2 emissions from 691 thousand t CO₂eq in 2024 to 669 thousand t CO₂eq. This was attributable to lower indirect CO₂ emissions from grid losses and our generation plants, despite higher Scope 2 emissions from pumped storage. Location-based indirect CO₂ emissions increased in 2025 compared to the previous year from 1,267 thousand t CO₂eq to 1,302 thousand t CO₂eq. This was caused by the higher Scope 2 emissions from pumped storage due to an increase in the amount of electricity drawn from the grid for pumped storage operation. Our Scope 3 emissions are mainly influenced by the gas consumption of our customers and thus by gas sales in the B2B and B2C sectors. Due to higher B2B and B2C gas sales, Scope 3 emissions also rose in 2025 compared to the previous year. Scope 3 emissions increased from 30,003 thousand t CO₂eq in 2024 to 31,653 thousand t CO₂eq in 2025. It was primarily the decrease in electricity generation from renewable energies that led to a reduction in avoided CO₂ emissions from 10,815 thousand t CO₂eq in 2024 to 9,704 thousand t CO₂eq in 2025.
Specific CO₂ emissions of electricity generation
The specific CO₂ emissions of our electricity generation describe those CO₂ emissions that are emitted on average by EnBW's entire generation portfolio, including the share of positive redispatch that cannot be controlled by EnBW 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.
Generation of electricity including the share of positive redispatch that cannot be controlled by EnBW increased in 2025 compared to the previous year from 24.8 TWh to 27.1 TWh. In 2025 electricity generation from renewable energies decreased in comparison to the previous year. Despite having higher generation capacities due to the expansion of our photovoltaic power plants and onshore and offshore wind farms, this decrease was primarily caused by lower water levels at run-of-river power plants across Germany and lower wind yields at the wind farms. As a result, electricity production at the thermal power plants increased in comparison to the previous year. This led to an increase of the specific carbon emissions in our electricity generation from 298 g CO₂/kWh in 2024 to 370 g CO₂/kWh in 2025.
| EnBW Group | German average in previous year | |
| 2025 | 370 | 298 |
| 2024 | 298 | 324 |
| 2023 | 343 | 377 |
| 2022 | 401 | 350 |
| 2021 | 386 | 310 |
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.