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United Utilities named among world’s most sustainable companies by TIME

25 Jun 2026

United Utilities has been recognised as one of the world’s leading sustainable businesses, securing 59th place globally in TIME magazine’s ranking of the world’s 750 most sustainable companies.

The North West’s water company was also ranked first in the water sector worldwide and fourth among companies in the UK.

Now in its third edition, the global ranking produced by TIME in partnership with Statista, assesses over 5,000 companies using more than 20 key performance indicators, including sustainable business practices, transparency, environmental impact, and social responsibility.

This recognition reflects United Utilities’ long-term commitment to creating a stronger, greener, healthier future for the North West, where it serves around eight million customers.

The company has made significant progress on ambitious environmental pledges, including:

  • Planting one million trees
  • Enhancing 1,800km of rivers
  • Restoring 7,000 hectares of peatland

These initiatives, all to be delivered by 2030, are designed to protect and enhance the region’s natural environment, improve biodiversity, and build resilience to climate change.

United Utilities is also investing £280 million in a sector-leading rainwater management programme, helping communities better manage rainfall while reducing flood risk and creating greener, more biodiverse urban spaces.

Jo Harrison, Asset Management Director at United Utilities, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be recognised among the world’s most sustainable companies. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our people and our long-term commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment across the North West.

“From restoring peatlands and improving river health to investing in sustainable drainage, we’re taking meaningful action to build resilience to climate change and create lasting benefits for the communities we serve.”

The TIME and Statista ranking focuses on how companies embed sustainability in their operations, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability and measurable environmental and social outcomes.

It comes as United Utilities is delivering the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure across the North West for a century, supporting 30,000 jobs across the supply chain.  The company is spending more than £13 billion to protect and enhance rivers, lakes and coastline whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.