Better Health for All
0
National Grid's core services have a neutral direct health impact. The company maintains a perfect public safety record with zero public safety injuries in 2023/24.
1
It demonstrates excellent risk transparency through Preliminary Environmental Information Reports for projects, an Annual Environment Report, and an A-list rating for climate change disclosure from the Carbon Disclosure Project in 2024.
2
While acknowledging potential negative health externalities like air quality and noise, National Grid has comprehensive mitigation efforts, including a 0.86kg/hour decrease in NOx emissions in 2023/24,
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a reduction in waste to landfill from 11.36% to 3.48% in 2023/24,
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and commitments to net zero by 2043/2050,
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50% reduction in fluid-filled cable leakage by 2028,
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and 20% reduction in SF₆ losses.
7
The company has exceptional mental health programs, leading an industry-wide focus,
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participating in developing a British Standard for workplace mental health,
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and implementing a stress risk assessment tool for over 23,000 US employees,
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which led to a 6% increase in positive responses.
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Its Health Hub for construction workers resulted in a 1% sickness rate, lower than the 2.6% industry standard.
12
Fair Money & Economic Opportunity
-10
National Grid, an energy utility, serves 20 million people in New York and Massachusetts.
1
Over 250,000 customers are enrolled in its discount program.
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, which targets low-income households and other underserved groups, representing 1.25% of its customer base in these regions. As the company does not offer consumer credit products, loans, or financial services, KPIs related to APRs, high-cost fees, debt-to-income ratios, fair lending compliance, customer finance data, or financial product simplicity are not applicable and score 0. While National Grid has numerous community support and investment programs, the KPIs for 'inclusion_initiatives' and 'profit_reinvestment' are omitted as they specifically require a 'share of loan/insurance book' or a 'percentage of annual pre-tax profit reinvested in community finance', which cannot be assessed from the provided evidence.
Fair Pay & Worker Respect
30
National Grid reported an 81% employee engagement index score as of March 2023.
1
The total turnover rate was 11% in 2021/2022.
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63% of total employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements as of the FY 2024/25 reporting period.
3
In fiscal year 2022, the company recorded zero fatalities for both employees and contractors.
4
However, National Grid Electricity Distribution was fined £3.2 million in September 2024 for breaching Electricity at Work Regulations following a contractor injury in December 2020.
5
Additionally, a trainee project supervisor won a sexual harassment case in August 2023, resulting in a £357,000 compensation award, following an incident in 2021.
6
The company states it meets or exceeds statutory minimum wage levels in the UK and US
7
and achieved a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
8
Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing
0
National Grid publishes an annual Modern Slavery Statement, detailing efforts to assess and mitigate slavery risks within its operations and supply chain
1
, a commitment it has maintained for over five years.
2
The company has a Global Supplier Code of Conduct that aligns with international standards, including the UK Bribery Act 2010 and International Labour Organization standards
3
, emphasizing human rights and ethical business practices. Additionally, National Grid operates a Supplier Diversity Program aimed at creating opportunities for minority, women-owned, small, and sustainable businesses
4
, providing certification assistance and other resources.
5
The company also outlines broader commitments to responsible business practices in its Responsible Business Charter.
6
Honest & Fair Business
10
National Grid incurred approximately $47.28 million in ethics-related regulatory fines over the past three years (2022-2024).
1
This includes a $38.5 million privacy violation in 2022, a $5.38 million environmental violation and a $0.5 million utility safety violation in 2023, and $2.9 million in utility safety and service violations in 2024.
2
The company maintains a zero-tolerance Anti-Financial Crimes Policy and an Anti-Fraud and Bribery policy, which explicitly prohibit bribes, kickbacks, and facilitation payments.
3
These policies comply with international laws such as the FCPA and UK Bribery Act.
4
E-learning courses and training programs are provided to all employees, and a Supplier Code of Conduct extends ethical principles to the supply chain.
5
Enforcement is evidenced by a $6 million settlement related to False Claims Act allegations.
6
National Grid also has a formal Whistleblowing procedure and a 'Speak-up' policy, which includes a 24/7 confidential external helpline for anonymous reporting.
7
The policy ensures protection from retaliation, prompt and impartial investigation of concerns, and confidentiality.
8
The Group General Counsel and Company Secretary report quarterly or bi-annually to the Audit Committee on whistleblower reports.
9
A whistleblower's actions led to a $6 million settlement, with the individual receiving 23.5% of the government's recovery.
10
Kind to Animals
0
National Grid demonstrates a significant commitment to wildlife conservation, with initiatives spanning over 70 years
1
, including integrated vegetation management since the 1950s
2
across its more than 1,600 miles of transmission corridors
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. The company targets a 10% net gain in environmental value by 2026 for construction projects and non-operational land
4
, and a 15% biodiversity net gain for new assets, securing habitats for at least 30 years
5
. It also aims to improve the environmental value of 10% of its owned land by 2030
6
. Specific projects include a six-year partnership to plant 33,250 trees
7
, a commitment to create 100,000 hectares of healthy wetlands
8
, and the conversion of a 1.6-acre area into a wildflower pollinator habitat
9
. A 12-month trial of wildlife mitigation solutions on 15 sites resulted in no reports of wildlife fatality or injury
10
. The company protects specific species by creating artificial badger setts
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, enhancing habitats for wolves and lynxes
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, and maintaining pollinator habitats for monarch butterflies
13
. In terms of public policy engagement, National Grid influences industry direction on wildlife protection measures through workshops with manufacturers
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. It supports government recommendations via the Transmission Acceleration Action Plan
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and engages across government to align its strategic energy plans with existing statutory planning processes
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. The company is also enrolled in the Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances program
17
.
No War, No Weapons
-30
National Grid Partners co-led a $110 million investment in Dragos, a company focusing on industrial cybersecurity.
1
Its technology has potential dual-use civilian and military applications.
2
Separately, National Grid states alignment to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
3
Its human rights practices and controls were acknowledged as 'Advanced' by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in May 2025.
4
The company's Human Rights Policy is reviewed bi-annually.
5
Planet-Friendly Business
20
National Grid achieved 99.4% waste diversion.
1
Respect for Cultures & Communities
40
National Grid has established 1,000 community partnerships since 2021 through its Project C initiative.
1
The company has no reported cultural appropriation incidents.
2
For the Kipeto project, 57% of the labor force are locals, and 6 out of 9 Trustees (66.67%) of the Kipeto Community Development Trust are from the community.
3
National Grid considers and protects cultural, historic, and archaeological sites, with no reported incidents of disruption.
4
Safe & Smart Tech
-30
National Grid's data minimization practices show significant retention periods for various data types. Customer, supplier, health and safety records, damage claims, and consultation feedback are retained for 6 to 7 years.
1
Visitor logs and Data Subject Access Request data are kept for 3 years.
2
CCTV footage is generally retained for 30 days.
3
Users are provided with industry-standard data subject rights, including access, correction, erasure, and data portability, as detailed in the January 2026 Privacy Notice.
4
A cyber incident in August 2023 potentially exposed customer contact details and account numbers.
5
The company employs penetration testing using methodologies like OSSTMM and OWASP.
6
National Grid also uses MFA for authentication mechanisms.
7
Significant investments have been made in AI for grid operations and infrastructure inspection, including a strategic investment in Emerald AI in September 2025
8
and $6 million in two AI startups in October 2020.
9
However, specific details on the scope of security testing, the percentage of systems with MFA, or the maturity of AI ethics governance and audit practices are not publicly available.
Zero Waste & Sustainable Products
-20
National Grid achieved a 99.4% landfill diversion rate for construction waste in 2024.
1
The company supports circular economy principles by designing assets for reuse and operating refurbishment centers to extend asset lifespans.
2
National Grid has implemented several waste reduction initiatives, including decommissioning a 53-acre LNG storage and processing plant without sending waste to landfill, recycling 95% of its materials, and repurposing wind turbine blades into benches for schools.
3
,
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The company has set targets to eliminate landfill waste by 2028 and reduce overall waste production by 30% over five years.
5
Additionally, National Grid works with suppliers to minimize waste streams.
6