SoCalGas’s sustainability goals below are a roadmap for achieving progress, leveraging existing initiatives, and exploring opportunities for collaboration as we work towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Our sustainability goals and activities align with many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). They are also aligned with the key sustainability pillars of our parent company Sempra. Learn more about Sempra’s sustainability pillars in the Sempra Corporate Sustainability Report.
Accelerating the Transition to Clean Energy
The transition to clean energy is an environmental and social imperative. SoCalGas is accelerating the transition by advancing the use of lower-carbon or zero-carbon fuels, such as hydrogen and renewable natural gas, in support of our customers and California’s climate goals.
How we plan to accelerate the transition to clean energy:
- In collaboration with research institutions, fund $400M for RD&D projects in the areas of clean fuels and hydrogen technology and infrastructure by the end of 20252
- Complete five hydrogen pilot projects by 2025
- Develop hydrogen infrastructure solutions for the 2028 Olympics
- Deliver 20% renewable natural gas to core customers by 20303
- Demonstrate technical capability for gas distribution to safely support up to 20% hydrogen blend by 2030
- Establish a hydrogen industrial cluster by 2030
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals:
View Aspire2045 Energy Transition
Protecting the Climate and Improving Air Quality in Our Communities
SoCalGas is focused on helping to improve air quality and taking actions to decarbonize our operations and support our customers in reducing their carbon footprints.
How we are working to reduce greenhouse gases and improving local air quality:
- Exceed the state requirements to demonstrate 20% reduction in methane emissions by 2025; 40% by 2030, from a 2015 baseline4
- Eliminate 100% of vented gas during planned transmission pipeline work by 2030 (excluding emergency repairs)
- Achieve net zero energy for 50% of all of our existing buildings by 20305
- Operate a 100% zero-emission over-the-road fleet by 20356
- Achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2045
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals:
View Aspire2045 Climate Energy
Increasing Clean Energy Access and Affordability
We believe the reliable and affordable supply of clean fuels is vital for an equitable transition to sustainable energy. Every year, more than 180,000 California households and businesses access SoCalGas customer energy efficiency and assistance programs.
How we aim to increase clean energy access and affordability:
- Exceed State energy efficiency goals by 25% or more each year
- Enroll 90% or more of eligible low-income customers in alternative rates for energy programs every year
- Manage gas procurement costs effectively for core customers and achieve top quartile of lowest average monthly residential bill compared to our top 50 peers nationwide every year7
- Develop new clean energy programs for customers by 2025
- Engage our diverse Community Advisory Council quarterly through discussions and surveys to collaborate on issues around clean energy access and affordability
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals:
View Aspire2045 Clean Energy Affordability
Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
A sustainable future involves the meaningful participation of all. Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the communities we serve, and in the workplace, promotes transparency and trust. It expands opportunity, sparks innovation and helps achieve measurable social impact.
How we aim to continue to advance a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture:
- Take actions to lead the utility industry in racial and ethnic diversity representation in leadership roles by 20258
- Take actions to grow representation of women in leadership roles and overall workforce by 20258
- Plan to invest $50M to positively impact diverse and underserved communities over the next five years9
- Help diverse businesses meet contractual requirements to work with us by increasing supplier participation in Technical Assistance Programs (TAPs) by 30% by 2025
- Increase our total annual Diverse Business Enterprise spend to 45% by 2025
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Achieving World-Class Safety
As the nation’s largest gas distribution utility, safety has been – and will remain – our core value. Our comprehensive approach to safety helps to sustain the well-being of the public and our employees, contractors, and infrastructure.
How we aim to achieve world-class safety:
- Train 100% of identified employees in emergency management and incident response each year
- Require 100% of approved pipeline construction contractors to have a formal safety management system program as part of contract requirements starting 202310
- Enhance damage prevention program to decrease the rate of excavation damages to pipelines by 40% by 2030 compared to a 2020 baseline.11
- Aim to achieve zero employee and contractor fatalities each year
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals:
SoCalGas Settlement Agreement
SoCalGas has reached a settlement with the State of California on Consent for Permanent Injunction and Civil Penalties.