SECR Reporting Requirements & Compliance

Complete guide to Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements for UK companies. Understand thresholds, reporting obligations, and compliance strategies for mandatory carbon disclosure.

11,900
UK companies
In scope
Apr 2019
Mandatory since
For large companies
£36m
Turnover threshold
Or balance sheet £18m
250+
Employees
Staff threshold

Important: SECR Reporting Deadline

SECR reporting must be included in your Directors' Report within your annual financial report. The deadline is your Companies House filing deadline - typically 9 months after year-end for private companies, 6 months for public companies. Non-compliance can result in unlimited fines and director prosecution.

SECR Reporting Requirements

What is SECR Reporting?

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) is mandatory climate disclosure legislation requiring UK companies to report their energy use and carbon emissions in their annual reports. Introduced in April 2019, SECR replaced the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme.

SECR aims to increase corporate transparency, encourage energy efficiency, and support the UK's net-zero commitment by requiring approximately 11,900 UK companies to disclose their environmental impact.

Mandatory Disclosures

  • UK energy use (kWh) - electricity, gas, transport
  • Associated GHG emissions (tCO2e) - Scope 1 & 2
  • Intensity ratio (e.g., tCO2e per £m revenue)
  • Previous year comparison (if available)
  • Methodology used (e.g., GHG Protocol)
  • Energy efficiency actions taken

Additional for Quoted Companies

  • Global energy use (not just UK)
  • Global Scope 1 & 2 emissions
  • Scope 3 emissions (where material)
  • Board oversight of climate risks
  • Link to business strategy
  • Third-party verification (recommended)

SECR Reporting Thresholds - Who Must Report?

Qualifying Criteria (meet 2 of 3)

£36 million

Annual Turnover

Gross revenue threshold

£18 million

Balance Sheet Total

Total assets threshold

250

Employees

Average during year

Must Report

  • Quoted companies (all)
  • Large unquoted companies
  • Large LLPs
  • Parent companies of large groups

Exempt

  • Small and medium companies
  • Charities (unless large company)
  • Public sector organisations
  • Low energy users (<40MWh/year)

Low Energy Use Exemption

Companies using less than 40,000 kWh of energy per year can state they are a "low energy user" in their Directors' Report instead of full SECR reporting. This exemption applies even if you meet the size thresholds. Calculate total energy from electricity, gas, and transport fuel.

SECR Reporting Template & Examples

Standard SECR Disclosure Template

// Energy & Carbon Report 2023-24

UK Energy Use: 2,456,789 kWh

- Electricity: 1,234,567 kWh

- Natural Gas: 987,654 kWh

- Transport: 234,568 kWh

Associated Emissions:

- Scope 1: 245.6 tCO2e (gas & fleet)

- Scope 2: 123.4 tCO2e (electricity)

- Total: 369.0 tCO2e

Intensity Ratio: 12.3 tCO2e per £m turnover

(2022-23: 14.5 tCO2e/£m - 15% reduction)

Methodology: GHG Protocol Corporate Standard

Emission Factors: UK Government 2024 Conversion Factors

Energy Efficiency Actions:

• LED lighting retrofit (20% reduction)

• HVAC optimisation (15% saving)

• Fleet electrification (10 vehicles)

Calculation Methodology

  • Use UK Government GHG Conversion Factors
  • Apply location-based Scope 2 methodology
  • Include all material emission sources
  • Document estimation techniques used

Best Practice Tips

  • Include narrative on reduction strategy
  • Set science-based targets
  • Consider third-party verification
  • Link to TCFD reporting if applicable

SECR Compliance Support

SECR Assessment

Determine your SECR obligations and reporting requirements.

  • • Threshold analysis
  • • Scope definition
  • • Data requirements
  • • Timeline planning

Carbon Calculation

Accurate GHG emissions calculation to UK Government standards.

  • • Data collection
  • • Emissions calculation
  • • Intensity metrics
  • • Year-on-year analysis

Report Preparation

Professional SECR disclosure for your Directors' Report.

  • • Disclosure drafting
  • • Narrative development
  • • Compliance review
  • • Board approval support

SECR Reporting Timeline

1

3 months before year-end

Start data collection

2

Year-end

Finalise energy data

3

2 months after

Calculate & report

4

Filing deadline

Submit to Companies House

SECR vs Other Reporting Requirements

AspectSECRTCFDUK SRS
ScopeEnergy & emissionsClimate risksFull sustainability
Companies11,900 large1,300 listedTBD (2026+)
MandatorySince 2019Since 2021From 2026-27
LocationDirectors' ReportAnnual ReportSeparate report
VerificationOptionalRecommendedRequired

Need SECR Reporting Support?

Our experts help with all aspects of SECR carbon reporting - from understanding requirements to calculating emissions and preparing compliant disclosures. Get support today.