Globally our climate is changing due to rising greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations caused by human activity. The changes, such as rising temperatures and sea level, more extreme weather events and degradation of habitats are already having an impact on society, and the predictions are for significant issues in the future. It is essential that business plays its part, reducing emissions, adapting to the changes and innovating toward a future Net-Zero carbon economy.
30%
Reduction of Scope 3 GHG emissions by 2030
50%
Reduction of Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030
2050
Have achieved Net-Zero or sooner
To meet these targets, we have produced a Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP), which forms the foundation of our Climate Change Programme – more information can be found in our Annual Report and Accounts.
We apply a data-driven approach to inform what we do and when, and we recognise that options for tackling GHG emissions will evolve, so we will continue to horizon scan for opportunities to accelerate our transition to becoming a Net-Zero organisation.
We also contribute to and influence the climate change improvements of our wider value chain, working proactively with our supplier ecosystem and customers to help them adapt to intensifying sustainability challenges.
We commit to:
Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by the company (e.g. emissions associated with fuel combustion in boilers and company owned vehicles). Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions that occur from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the company.
We calculate our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions using a defined methodology available in the link below, which is reviewed each year, and annually we publish our Scope 1 and 2 data in our Annual Report and Accounts. The data is subject to independent third-party Limited Assurance. More information and supporting documentation covering our most recent reporting period is available below.
Documentation for previous reporting periods is available on demand – please contact sustainability@qinetiq.com for more information.
Scope 3 emissions occur as a consequence of company activities, but from sources not owned or controlled by the company, including from purchased goods and services, transportation and from the use of services.
As set out by the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard (2011), Scope 3 GHG emissions consist of 15 categories. These are split by eight upstream activities (relating to goods & services procured) and seven downstream activities (related to goods & services sold or delivered).
We calculate our Scope 3 GHG emissions for each of the specified categories, which is summarised in the link below, and we are working towards eventually publishing our full Scope 3 emissions in our Annual Report and Accounts. While our Scope 3 emissions data is not currently subject to independent third-party assurance, our ambition has been to align with the Scope 3 Accounting and Reporting Standard promoted principles of relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency and accuracy.
The QinetiQ Group greenhouse gas emissions comprising all 3 Scopes have been previously estimated for FY25 as follows, given in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent:
| Scope | Source of emissions | Total (tCO2e) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fuel, Refrigerants, Controlled Discharge of Explosives | 19,662 |
| 2 | Purchased Electricity | 8,729 |
| 3 | Categories 1-15 | 321,308 |
| Total Emissions | 349,699 |
Note: These estimates exclude biogenic CO2 emissions, which are not material to QinetiQ activity and are independent of any GHG trades, such as purchases, sales, or transfers of offsets or allowances.
In response to the UK Government Procurement Policy Notice PPN06/21, we publish a subset of our Scope 3 data each year in Carbon Reduction Plans for applicable QinetiQ Group businesses in the UK. These documents contain data from Scope 3 Categories 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. Copies of the most recently published versions can be found below.