At Greencoat UK Wind, we are proud to generate renewable energy as the core part of our business, providing clean power for an electrified future.
As one of the largest listed* renewable energy infrastructure investment funds in Europe, we recognise the importance of delivering renewable energy and doing so while managing our impact on the world around us through strong ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices.
We actively work towards combatting climate change by generating renewable energy which contributes to the reduction in carbon emissions, and also responsibly manage other material environmental considerations to our assets including local biodiversity and habitats and waste.
We are committed to having a positive social impact on our communities either directly, through job creation and the provision of clean energy, or indirectly, through our community fund investments and the obligations we place on service providers regarding human and labour rights.
Our work is underpinned with strong standards of governance and ethics.
*By market cap.
Targets
We’re committed to reducing the intensity of our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030, against a 2022 baseline.
We are committed to supporting the UK Government’s target of net zero by 2050.
ESG report snapshot
Read our latest ESG report for more details on the progress we have made against our sustainability goals.
We pioneered the renewable infrastructure market in the UK and we now generate 2% of the UK's electricity.*
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5,403 GWh In 2025, we operated 49 assets, generating 5,403 GWh of renewable electricity. |
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2.0m Homes powered*. |
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2.2m tonnes of CO₂ avoided*. |
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£5.0m We have contributed £5.0 million in grants to charities and community benefit organisations, investing in community funds and social projects. |
*We calculate this by taking our output over total UK electricity generation each year. In 2024 this was 5,484GWh (in Annual Report) over UK output of 292.7TWh, according to latest available statistics (see here). 1.87% is rounded to 2%.
*Calculated based on average household consumption estimates. In the UK, this was 2.7MWh/annum. (OFGEM Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCVs), 2023).
The estimate of the portfolio’s CO2 emissions avoided through the displacement of thermal generation, as at the relevant reporting date. This is calculated based on the thermal generation displaced. In the UK, this assumes the displacement of CCGT generation at a carbon intensity factor of 0.4 kgCO2e/KWh.
Renewables are at the heart of everything we do, with sustainability embedded in our strategy.
Lucinda Riches CBE
Chair
ESG timeline
2025
The Company rolled out the updated Supplier Code of Conduct and Cybersecurity Framework.
Clyde Wind Farm achieved the milestone of contributing over £20.8 million to 1,000+ community projects across Scotland’s southern uplands since 2012.
The Manager commissioned a physical climate risk assessment across multiple time horizons and climate scenarios.
2024
The Company became a member of the Wind Advisory Group.
The Company adopted a Sustainability Focus label as set out under the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR).
The Manager updated its Supplier Code of Conduct and commenced roll-out to key suppliers.
2023
The Company published SFDR disclosures for the first time, including Annex V and Principal Adverse Indicators, in line with Article 9 requirements.
The Company committed £111,000 to Imperial College London to support R&D into wind turbine recyclability.
The Manager completed its first ESG Accreditation as part of Schroders’ ESG framework to ensure ESG is integrated across all investment desks.
2022
The Manager implemented its Supply Chain Policy allowing the Company to identify and navigate emerging supply chain risks better.
The Company kicked off its £250,000 wind turbine recyclability research and development sponsorship project.
2021
The Manager joined the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative.
2020
The Manager updated its ESG and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
2019
The Manager formalised its ESG materiality process.
The Company published its first ESG report.
The Company published its first disclosures under the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures recommendations.
2016
The Manager became a signatory to the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment.
Case studies
Supporting golden eagle livelihoods at Dunmaglass
The Opportunity
Golden eagle numbers in Scotland have begun to recover from almost complete extinction (1). However, illegal persecution and wider land‑use pressures remain key threats. This is why we invest in eagle conservation and efforts to monitor the species.
Our Approach
Dunmaglass Wind Farm has primarily funded the Golden Eagle Research, Conservation and Monitoring Project (RECMP). Led by the Highland Raptor Study Group and SSE Renewables, the initiative tracks eagle activity using satellite tags to understand how these birds use the landscape. Funding also contributes towards the employment of a golden eagle project officer who undertakes an annual breeding census and engages with landowners.
The Outcome
This kind of evidence-based conservation allows wind farms and wildlife to coexist, supported by active investment and long-term collaboration.
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Rewilding Britain. (2022). Golden eagle. https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/why-rewild/reintroductions-key-species/key-species/golden-eagle
Integrating social and environmental impacts through the Pollinator Plan
The Opportunity
The Pollinator Plan coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre aims to reduce the loss of essential pollinators and support healthy bee population levels. The initiative is vital for biodiversity protection.
Our Approach
In 2024 we introduced 40,000 bees to an empty space at the Humber Gateway Operations & Maintenance (O&M) facility. This project has continued throughout 2025. As well as the introduction of four beehives, we built a wild garden area to support the bees’ food supply and to encourage further wildflower growth. We also harvest the honey to support charities around Grimsby. Humber Gateway’s biodiversity project, along with Plan Bee Limited, was a finalist for the Community Project Award at the Humber Renewables Awards 2025.
The Outcome
The hives have flourished, contributing to harvesting honey and positive biodiversity impacts. Proceeds from the 2025 honey harvest enabled a £620 donation to CARE, a local charity providing Christmas gifts to children in need.
Artificial intelligence for wind farm biodiversity
Image credit: University of Surrey, Centre for Environment & Sustainability (CES).
The Opportunity
Machine learning (ML) offers new opportunities to analyse data that improves the management of our environmental impacts, and how we monitor our sites.
Our Approach
In 2025 we piloted a groundbreaking project that applies high resolution Earth Observation data and ML to the monitoring of habitat and peatland. Building on the Space4Nature methodology developed by the University of Surrey and Surrey Wildlife Trust, this project integrates digitised habitat mapping with field recorded indicator species data. This technology allows us to detect peatland health trends and biodiversity changes with significantly greater consistency than the conventional survey only methods.
The Outcome
The project us a transparent and auditable evidence base and provides a scalable model for nature‑positive wind farm management and improved biodiversity outcomes.
Turbine blade recyclability
The Opportunity
Although 85% of wind turbine materials are recyclable (e.g. steel and copper), wind turbine blades are often made of composite materials that make conventional recycling challenging. Developing cost effective methods for recycling wind turbine components is important to both the sustainability and economic viability of the wind energy sector.
Our approach
In 2022 the Company kicked off its £250,000 wind turbine recyclability research and development sponsorship project. One such project was Added-Value CoatTings, led by the University of Edinburgh, which investigated converting decommissioned blade materials into powders for use in surface coatings that protect wind turbines from erosion and corrosion, extending their lifespan. Another workstream with Imperial College is developing a practical method of assessing blade fatigue, and the development of a decision-support tool that can estimate a blade’s condition and value at retirement.
The Outcome
The University of Edinburgh’s project successfully demonstrated that the decommissioning of blades approach is viable on a small scale. Commercialisation and further research is being explored. The Imperial College London project is due to be completed in 2026.
