At Duke Energy, our responsibility to keep the lights on, houses warm and assembly lines moving is something we take very seriously – and environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives are essential components of fulfilling this responsibility.


We seek to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050, and we are on track to reduce CO2 emissions from electricity generation by 50% and significantly increase our renewable portfolio by 2030. We are committed to a future that offers reliable, accessible and affordable clean energy for all customers and areas we serve. Achieving this vision will require us to transition to low- and zero-carbon emissions energy, to invest in our communities, and to develop and prepare a diverse workforce. Taken together, these efforts will deliver long-term value for all our customers and stakeholders. 


Summary of our progress can be found in one of our most important annual publications – the ESG Report. To explain further, let’s break down this report into the five W’s.

lake with a forest in the background

What is the ESG Report?

Previously known as the Sustainability Report, the comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report is a clear way to bring our purpose to light, so that we can deliver on our commitments to those who count on us. 

ESG is essential to who we are. It is fundamental to the objectives and makeup of our entire company, from how we generate power and decarbonize our fleet to the role we play in society. This focus defines our success as we put capital to work to deliver sustainable value to our stakeholders and shareholders.

Who should read the report?

Residential

Customers, shareholders, regulators, environmental organizations, social advocates, community agencies, elected officials, employees and many others will find this report informative of the work we’re doing to provide access to affordable, reliable and increasingly clean energy.


Small Medium Business & Large accounts

This report is especially informative for our collaborative allies in creating stronger, more inclusive and vibrant economies – customers, shareholders, environmental organizations, social advocates, community agencies, elected officials, employees and many others. 

a woman on a tablet

Where can you see the impacts of our work?

a clean energy infographic

  • Environment

    Now more than ever, we have a responsibility to produce and deliver energy to our customers that’s reliable, accessible, affordable and increasingly clean.

    We’re expanding new and existing energy technologies and have surpassed more than 10,000 MW of owned, operated or purchased renewable energy. We remain on track to reach 16,000 MW by 2025 and 24,000 MW by 2030.

    We’re helping to advance the education and adoption of electric vehicles and making charging stations more widespread and accessible.

    Plus, new technologies have increasingly allowed for a diversity of energy sources to meet the growing demand of our customers.

    Social

    We believe long-term and sustainable returns come from investing in our employees and communities. We foster and maintain an ethical culture of social responsibility, diversity, equity and inclusion across the entire organization.

    We seek to improve the lives of our customers and communities through engagement and leaning in on issues that matter to all. Topics like environmental justice, just transition, climate resiliency and how we work together to create vibrant economies are where our focus remains going forward.

    The impact of our social investments includes tens of thousands of strong jobs, millions of dollars invested locally, time and resources contributed to public initiatives and nonprofit programs. And recently, pandemic relief funds for both customers and small businesses. We are committed to helping protect the local environment and helping ensure the safety of our people and our customers.

    Addressing energy equity challenges has allowed us to better assist our underserved communities and customers, while also supporting business objectives.

    Governance

    Delivering results with accountability is of prime importance to us. We embrace a culture of governance, operating with an unwavering commitment to transparency and maintaining an ethical culture in all we do – from the board and senior leaders to those on the front lines. It’s who we are and how we deliver sustainable value.

    Ethics drive our relationships with each other, as well as with our customers, suppliers and public officials. These relationships help create vibrant economies in which diverse suppliers in local communities are supported.

    We also value accountability and transparency and help protect your information and data through supply chain governance and cybersecurity.

  • Environment

    Now more than ever, we have a responsibility to produce and deliver energy to our customers that’s reliable, affordable and increasingly clean.

    We’re expanding new and existing energy technologies and have surpassed more than 10,000 MW of owned, operated or purchased renewable energy. We remain on track to reach 16,000 MW by 2025 and 24,000 MW by 2030.

    We are taking a leadership role in tackling the greenhouse gas emissions associated with our business and value chain. In the electric business, our net-zero goal will include greenhouse gas emissions from the power we purchase for resale, from the procurement of fossil fuels used for generation and from the electricity purchased for our own use.

    We collaborate with policymakers, industry peers and external partners on how best to meet these continued challenges. We also help companies as they work to electrify their fleets. Our efforts to achieve our low- to net-zero carbon goals mean our customer companies get a boost as they work toward their own sustainability goals.

    Social

    We believe long-term and sustainable returns come from investing in our employees and communities. We foster and maintain an ethical culture of social responsibility, diversity, equity and inclusion across the entire organization.

    We seek to improve the lives of our customers and communities through engagement and leaning in on issues that matter to all. Topics like environmental justice, just transition, climate resiliency and how we work together to create vibrant economies are where our focus and impact remain going forward.

    The impact of our social investments includes tens of thousands of jobs, millions of dollars invested locally, and time and resources contributed to public initiatives and nonprofit programs. And recently, pandemic relief funds including grants for small business support in North Carolina and the Midwest. We are committed to helping protect the local environment and helping ensure the safety of our people and our customers.

    We are addressing energy equity challenges head-on, to allow us to better assist our underserved communities and customers, while also supporting business objectives.

    Governance

    Delivering results with accountability is of prime importance to us.

    We embrace a culture of governance, operating with an unwavering commitment to transparency and maintaining an ethical culture in all we do – from the board and senior leaders to those on the front lines. It’s who we are and how we deliver sustainable value.

    Ethics drive our relationships with each other, as well as with our customers, suppliers and public officials. These relationships help enable companies to meet diverse supplier goals and promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

    We also value accountability and transparency and help protect your information and data through supply chain governance and cybersecurity.

  • Environment

    Now more than ever, we have a responsibility to produce and deliver energy to our customers that’s reliable, affordable and increasingly clean.

    We’re expanding new and existing energy technologies and have surpassed more than 10,000 MW of owned, operated or purchased renewable energy. We remain on track to reach 16,000 MW by 2025 and 24,000 MW by 2030.  In the electric business, our net-zero goal will include greenhouse gas emissions from the power we purchase for resale, from the procurement of fossil fuels used for generation and from the electricity purchased for our own use.

    Recently, the SEC proposed a rule for companies to disclose their climate-related information, risks and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions metrics. The rules would require Scope Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions (emissions from company operations and the generation of electricity purchased and consumed by the company) as well as Scope 3 GHG emissions (emissions from upstream and downstream activities in a company’s value chain) for some companies.

    We are taking a leadership role in tackling the greenhouse gas emissions associated with our business and value chain.

    Social

    We believe long-term and sustainable returns come from investing in our employees and communities. We work to foster and maintain an ethical culture of social responsibility, diversity, equity and inclusion across the entire organization.

    We seek to improve the lives of our customers and communities through engagement and leaning in on issues that matter to all. Topics like environmental justice, just transition, climate resiliency and how we work together to create vibrant economies are where our focus and impact remain going forward. The impact of our social investments includes tens of thousands of jobs, with 2021 resulting in the most diverse recruiting year to date. Or the millions of dollars we invest locally, with time and resources contributed to public initiatives, nonprofit programs and revitalization efforts.

    We address energy equity challenges head-on so that we may better assist our underserved communities and customers, while also supporting business objectives.

    We are committed to helping protect the local environment and helping ensure the safety of our people and our customers.

    Governance

    Delivering results with accountability is of prime importance to us.

    We embrace a culture of governance, operating with an unwavering commitment to transparency and maintaining an ethical culture in all we do – from the board and senior leaders to those on the front lines. It’s who we are and how we deliver sustainable value.

    Ethics drive our relationships with each other, as well as with our customers, suppliers and public officials. These relationships help enable companies to meet diverse supplier goals and promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

    We also value accountability and transparency and help protect your information and data through supply chain governance and cybersecurity.
solar panels

Why does ESG matter?

Companies play a role in society, and our shared successes will always come through collaboration and engagement. Duke Energy’s transparency in environmental, social and governance initiatives is the key to building relationships and unlocking new possibilities for us all.

When can you read the 2022 ESG Report?

Keep an eye out for the launch of the ESG Report on April 26, 2022!