SSE has committed its support to the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact with a series of new targets for 2030 in a bid to tackle climate change and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In March this year, SSE linked four key objectives to the SDGs, in recognition of the part it can play in tackling global issues. Executive performance has been tied to achievement of these goals – putting sustainability right at the heart of SSE's strategy.

SSE's objectives are:

• To cut the carbon intensity of the electricity we generate by 50% - linked to SDG 13: Climate action.

• To treble renewable energy output by developing and building more renewable energy that contributes renewable output of 30TWh (terawatt hours) a year - linked to SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy.

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• To pave the way to help accommodate 10 million electric vehicles in Great Britain by investing in electricity network flexibility and infrastructure - linked to SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure.

• To become the leading company in the UK and Ireland championing Fair Tax and the real Living Wage - linked to SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth.

Writing to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, SSE's Alistair Phillips-Davies, said: "These four objectives underpin what our business stands for and our investment in long term, sustainable, low carbon assets and infrastructure will contribute to the UK and Ireland's climate change targets while building a fairer and more prosperous society.

"We firmly believe that, through the SDGs and Global Compact, the UN has created a blueprint for a sustainable world and it's one we are putting front and centre of our business."

Alistair highlighted the actions SSE has taken to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles in human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption into its business strategy, culture and operations and committed to continue to share this information with stakeholders.