Williams Improves on Key Sustainability Metrics

Williams reports 28% carbon intensity reduction since 2018

Williams, a major US midstream energy company, has published its 2025 sustainability report showing a 28% reduction in carbon intensity-based emissions since 2018. The company also reported that it reduced methane emissions intensity while exceeding its annual reduction targets. These results come as demand for energy infrastructure continues to grow across North America.

The report was released on 30 July 2026 and covers the period from 1 January through 31 December 2025. Williams prepared the document under the Global Reporting Initiative Standards 2021, including GRI 11: Oil and Gas Sector Standard. This framework provides standardised metrics for measuring and reporting sustainability performance in the oil and gas sector.

For UK businesses tracking sustainability developments in their supply chains, this report illustrates how large infrastructure operators are measuring environmental performance. Many UK companies source energy or rely on energy-intensive supply chains that connect to North American operations. Understanding how these upstream providers report emissions can help UK businesses assess their own Scope 3 emissions, which include indirect emissions from purchased goods and services.

Carbon intensity metrics and methane performance

Williams achieved its 28% carbon intensity reduction while expanding operational capacity. This approach uses intensity-based metrics, which measure emissions relative to output rather than absolute emissions totals. Consequently, a company can grow its operations while still reducing its emissions intensity if efficiency improvements outpace growth.

The company also reduced methane emissions intensity and surpassed its annual reduction targets. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Therefore, methane reduction represents a priority area for oil and gas companies.

In its 2024 sustainability reporting, Williams had already established a methane intensity target of 0.0375% by 2028 for operated assets. The company became the first large-scale US midstream company to join OGMP 2.0, an international methane reporting initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme. This framework requires detailed measurement and reporting of methane emissions across operations.

Williams also noted in early 2026 that it had received top sustainability ratings from S&P Global, CDP, ISS, and MSCI. These ratings are used by investors and other stakeholders to assess environmental, social, and governance performance. Many UK businesses face similar scrutiny from investors, lenders, and procurement teams who use third-party ratings to evaluate suppliers.

Why intensity metrics matter for growing infrastructure businesses

Williams frames its results around the challenge of expanding energy infrastructure while reducing emissions intensity. The company ties this to what it calls demand for infrastructure needed to support the “next-generation economy.” This typically refers to increased electricity demand from data centres, electric vehicle charging, and industrial electrification.

Intensity-based metrics are common in sectors where production or throughput is growing. They allow companies to demonstrate efficiency improvements even when absolute emissions remain stable or increase. However, intensity metrics do not directly address total atmospheric emissions, which are what ultimately drive climate impact.

For UK businesses, this distinction is important. Your own carbon reporting may need to account for both absolute emissions and intensity metrics depending on your sector and reporting framework. The Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations require UK companies to report total annual emissions. Meanwhile, many sectoral decarbonisation pathways use intensity metrics to track progress towards net zero.

If your business works with energy infrastructure providers or has operations in North America, you may encounter intensity-based reporting in supplier disclosures. Understanding how these metrics work helps you evaluate whether supplier performance aligns with your own reduction targets.

Implications for UK businesses with North American supply chains

UK companies with North American operations or supply chains may need to account for emissions associated with energy infrastructure. If you purchase energy in the US or Canada, your Scope 2 emissions will reflect the carbon intensity of the grid or direct energy supply. If you rely on suppliers who use natural gas infrastructure, those emissions may appear in your Scope 3 calculations.

Furthermore, UK businesses bidding for public sector contracts need to demonstrate carbon reduction across their supply chains under Procurement Policy Note 06/21. This means understanding how your suppliers measure and report emissions. If your suppliers use intensity metrics, you need to translate those into the absolute emissions required for your own reporting.

Many UK businesses also face investor pressure to disclose Scope 3 emissions under frameworks like the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. Energy infrastructure emissions can form a significant part of Scope 3 for manufacturers, logistics companies, and other energy-intensive sectors. Therefore, knowing how your energy suppliers report performance helps you build accurate disclosures.

Additionally, UK companies may use sustainability ratings as part of supplier due diligence. Williams’ disclosure of ratings from S&P Global, CDP, ISS, and MSCI reflects the growing importance of third-party verification in supply chain management. Many UK procurement teams now require suppliers to achieve minimum scores on these platforms.

Key facts from Williams’ 2025 sustainability report

• Williams reported a 28% reduction in carbon intensity-based emissions since 2018 while growing operational capacity.
• The company reduced methane emissions intensity and exceeded its annual reduction targets for the reporting period.
• The report covers the period from 1 January through 31 December 2025 and was released on 30 July 2026.
• Williams prepared the report under the Global Reporting Initiative Standards 2021, including GRI 11: Oil and Gas Sector Standard.
• The company had previously set a methane intensity target of 0.0375% by 2028 for operated assets and joined OGMP 2.0 in 2024.
• Williams received top sustainability ratings from S&P Global, CDP, ISS, and MSCI in early 2026.

How UK businesses should approach intensity-based supplier reporting

When your suppliers report using intensity metrics, you need to assess whether this aligns with your own reduction commitments. Intensity improvements are valuable, but they do not always translate into absolute emissions reductions. Therefore, you should ask suppliers for both intensity and absolute emissions data where possible.

For example, if a supplier reduced emissions intensity by 28% but doubled throughput, absolute emissions may have increased by 44%. This matters for your Scope 3 reporting, which typically requires absolute figures. Many UK businesses are now requesting detailed emissions data from suppliers to ensure their own targets are based on accurate baselines.

You should also consider whether your suppliers use recognised reporting frameworks. Williams’ use of GRI Standards and participation in OGMP 2.0 provides some assurance of methodological rigour. However, not all suppliers will report to the same standard. Consequently, you may need to request additional verification or conduct supplier audits to ensure data quality.

If your business is preparing for mandatory climate disclosures under the UK’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements, supplier emissions data will become even more important. The requirements, which are being phased in for large companies, will eventually affect supply chain reporting expectations across many sectors. Getting ahead of these requirements now can reduce compliance costs later.

Our ESG compliance and carbon reporting services help UK businesses navigate supplier emissions data and build accurate Scope 3 inventories. We work with companies to assess supplier performance, identify data gaps, and develop reporting processes that meet UK regulatory requirements.

What this means for UK energy transition planning

Williams’ report reflects a broader trend in which energy infrastructure companies are trying to reduce emissions intensity while meeting growing demand. This dynamic is relevant to UK businesses because it affects the carbon intensity of energy supplies and the availability of lower-carbon infrastructure.

In the UK, businesses are increasingly looking at how their energy suppliers are decarbonising. This includes switching to renewable electricity, using biomethane in gas supplies, or investing in carbon capture. Understanding how suppliers in other markets are approaching decarbonisation can inform your own energy procurement strategy.

Moreover, if your business operates internationally or sources from global suppliers, you need to understand regional differences in energy infrastructure. North American natural gas infrastructure has different emissions profiles than UK networks, which affects the carbon footprint of products manufactured or processed using that energy.

Many UK businesses are also evaluating whether to set science-based targets that cover Scope 3 emissions. This requires understanding how your entire value chain is decarbonising, including energy suppliers. If your suppliers are reducing intensity but not absolute emissions, you may need to adjust your procurement strategy to meet your targets.

Finally, UK businesses should monitor how international reporting standards evolve. Williams’ use of GRI 11: Oil and Gas Sector Standard reflects the development of sector-specific guidance within broader frameworks. Similar sector standards are emerging in the UK and EU, which may eventually affect your own reporting requirements. Staying informed about these developments helps you anticipate changes and avoid compliance gaps.

Our net-zero program for carbon reporting compliance supports UK businesses with Scope 3 emissions assessment, supplier engagement, and target setting. We help you build reporting processes that reflect the complexity of global supply chains while meeting UK regulatory expectations.

Where to find more information on energy sector sustainability reporting

UK businesses looking for guidance on energy sector emissions and supply chain reporting can consult several authoritative sources. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provides policy updates and guidance on energy transition and climate reporting requirements.

For specific guidance on Scope 3 emissions and supply chain reporting, the Procurement Policy Note 06/21 outlines requirements for businesses bidding on public sector contracts. This includes how to assess and report supplier emissions.

The Global Reporting Initiative publishes the GRI Standards used by Williams and many other international companies. Understanding these standards helps you evaluate supplier reports and identify best practices for your own disclosures. Additionally, the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment offers guidance and training on environmental reporting for UK businesses.