CenterPoint Energy was the first combined electric and natural gas utility with generation to announce its Net Zero goals for its Scope 1 and certain Scope 2 GHG emissions by 2035, nearly 15 years ahead of certain of our peers’ average goals. Our Net Zero by 2035 goals are company-wide goals across our electric, natural gas and power generation businesses.
In addition to our Net Zero goals, CenterPoint Energy strives to be a leader in enabling our customers to transition to a cleaner energy future. We have set a Scope 3 GHG emission reduction goal across our entire multi-state footprint. Specifically, we aim to help our residential and commercial customers reduce GHG emissions attributable to their end use of natural gas by 20-30% by 2035 from a 2021 baseline. The total GHG emission reductions for this Scope 3 goal are comparable to the total GHG emission reductions for both our Scope 1 and certain Scope 2 Net Zero goals.
To achieve our Net Zero and Scope 3 goals, CenterPoint Energy is taking the following steps:
- Offer customers affordable conservation and energy efficiency programs;
- Continue to develop alternative fuel programs;
- Collaborate with our suppliers to help lower their methane emissions; and
- Pilot and support innovation.
Projected GHG Emission Reductions
| 2026 | 2035 |
| 60% reduction in emissions* | Net Zero Scope 1 and certain Scope 2 GHG emissions** |
*With the retirement of Brown Units 1 and 2 and Culley Unit 2, and exiting operations at Warrick unit 4, we expect to see a 60% reduction in emissions of carbon, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and mercury attributed to our generation fleet.
**Emissions are projections based on our strategy to reach Net Zero by 2035 from a 2005 baseline and are subject to change.
2023 Progress on Carbon Emissions Reductions
In 2023, we continued to execute our Indiana generation transition plan and our carbon emissions reduction strategy. In April 2023, we announced our latest Integrated Resource Plan preferred portfolio, which includes further investment in renewable generation. As part of our goal to exit from coal-fired generation, we retired our A.B. Brown coal-fired units 1 and 2 in October 2023. We believe it is important to continue on our carbon emissions reduction journey in a way that promotes reliability and resiliency while also seeking to provide a long-term, sustainable positive environmental impact for our customers, communities and shareholders.
Progress on our Net Zero goals and carbon emissions reductions goals will advance as we continue to work to significantly reduce carbon emissions attributable to our assets. In 2026, with the retirement of Brown Units 1 and 2 and Culley Unit 2 and exiting operations at Warrick unit 4, we expect to see a 60% reduction in emissions of carbon, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and mercury attributed to our generation fleet.
2023 GHG Emissions
Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG Emissions
(million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent)
2023 GHG Emissions by Scope and Source
Scope 1
17.97%
90.59%
ELECTRIC GENERATION1
8.10%
NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS2
0.61%
FLEET VEHICLES
0.69%
SF6 EMISSIONS3
Scope 2
0.16%
58.52%
FACILITY
ELECTRICITY USE
41.48%
POWER LINE LOSSES4
Scope 3
81.86%
100%
NATURAL GAS SUPPLIED TO END USE CUSTOMERS5
- Electric Generation as reported under Subpart D of the mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) as required by the US EPA. Scope 1 GHG emissions from Electric Utility Power Generation are third-party verified and registered with the EPA Clean Air Markets Division.
- Natural Gas Local Distribution Company (LDC) operations Subpart W GHG emissions are determined using emissions factors and calculations as required by the EPA’s rule for the mandatory GHGRP.
- Electric Transmission Substation and Distribution equipment GHG emissions in the form of SF6 are determined using emissions factors and calculations as required and reported under Subpart DD of the EPA’s rule for the mandatory GHGRP.
- Does not include line loss attributable to CenterPoint Energy’s Houston electric transmission and distribution assets because CenterPoint Energy does not own the electricity in Texas and only transports electricity owned by others. This aligns with Edison Electric Institute guidance on reporting guidelines.
- Subpart NN indirect emissions are GHG emissions reported to the US EPA based on the amount of natural gas supplied to all end-use customers.
Climate Modeling for 2°
and 1.5° Scenarios
Our Net Zero by 2035 goals for Scope 1 and certain Scope 2 GHG emissions are aligned with the Paris Agreement. The actions we are taking as part of our generation transition plan support the long-term target set by the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature increases to 2° Celsius by 2100. As we implement our Net Zero plan, we intend to continuously assess steps needed to meet the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s short-term target of limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius.
Mitigating SF6 Emissions
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a GHG, is an insulating gas used in high-voltage electric transmission and distribution switchgear equipment. Since 1999, CenterPoint Energy’s Houston Electric operations business has been actively involved in SF6 emission programs with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Participating in the
Methane Challenge
The EPA Natural Gas STAR Program provides a framework for partner companies with U.S. oil and natural gas operations to implement methane reducing technologies and practices, as well as to document their voluntary emission reduction activities. CenterPoint Energy joined the program in 1997 and submits its reports annually.
Based on our 2021 performance, we anticipate an approximately 33% reduction in methane emissions by 2035 resulting from our pipeline modernization efforts.
Scope 3 Customer End-Use Goal by 2035
*As measured from Form EIA-176 for residential and commercial customers