Octopus Energy has been awarded a perfect score of 100 for ethical accreditation by The Good Shopping Guide, ranking it Britain’s most scrupulous energy supplier.
Octopus was one of 18 licensed power retailers to be assessed by the publication, a promoter of consumption with a conscience. Marks out of 100 were awarded, based on each firm’s treatment of the environment, people and animals.
British Gas and Shell Energy came equal last in the Guide’s assessment, each scoring 33 points from that possible 100. EDF was only marginally better, picking up 40.
The Guide cited as its justifications British Gas’ and EDF’s continuing links with the nuclear power industry. Shell’s association with pollution, greenwashing and other poor environmental practices drew the assessors’ ire.
Octopus drew the publication’s praise for actions such as its launch in November 2021 of the Octo Assist fund. The £15 million reserve provides extra help for its customers most in need.
The publication noted Octopus has also supplied thousands of energy-efficient electric blankets to struggling households, saving each a claimed average of £300 per year.
Its 100% renewable energy tariffs, backed by offers of reduced fees for power flowing from new wind turbines in east Yorkshire and South Wales, caught the assessors’ eye. Greg Jackson’s enterprise has also committed £5 million to create the Centre for Net Zero, a lab devoted to researching low carbon energy.
Kat Alexander, director of The Good Shopping Guide said: “In a time of economic uncertainty, we are pleased to see that Octopus Energy is supporting its most vulnerable customers while maintaining strong environmental standards.
“We are delighted to welcome Octopus Energy into our community of Ethical Accreditation member companies and commend this impressive achievement.”
The winner’s founder Greg Jackson responded: “Octopus’s team work relentlessly to make clean energy the new normal.
“With huge investment and innovation, we’re increasingly able to make green power cheap power – addressing both climate and social justice. We’re delighted to be recognised for this with full marks from The Good Shopping Guide – it’ll help us campaign to build more cheap renewable generation and to bring the full benefits to more customers.”
In contrast, the judges said EDF’s claim to be Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity was undermined by its failure to publicise its nuclear sources. Data for the financial year to April 2022 showed 63.1% of EDF’s electricity was made using reactors.
The magazine says nuclear feedstock such as uranium and plutonium are finite resources, so cannot be considered renewable.
