Real outcomes for customers + communities through transparency + accountability
Our unique Accountability Process adds value to customers + communities and energy organisations by publicly identifying actions undertaken by Signatories to improve customer + community outcomes. It also highlights their commitments to continuous improvement.
The Accountability Process focuses on customer + community consultation rather than on internal processes, ‘box ticking’ compliance or indicators that are measured through mandatory reporting to other organisations.
As part of their commitment to The Energy Charter, Full Signatory CEOs agree to publicly disclose how they are delivering against our 5 Principles of through public disclosure and engagement with their Customer + Community Councils. Signatories can assess their maturity against our Maturity Model indicating where on the maturity scale they are, where they intend to progress to, over what period and how they plan to achieve this.
From 2026, Signatory disclosures are voluntary and may occur as part of integrated ESG reporting to ensure a broad audience.
We publish an annual The Energy Charter Disclosure which sets out how collaboration through the #BetterTogether initiatives have delivered tangible outcomes for customers + communities, themes of focus for future #BetterTogether initiatives and identifies areas for continuous improvement. We use The Energy Charter Impact Framework to highlight outcomes and impact delivered for customers + communities.
The key themes highlighted in the Accountability Process are discussed by our CEO Council to guide the agenda for sector collaboration through the #BetterTogether initiatives.
Our Impact Framework
To understand and measure the impact across the collaborative work we do for customers + communities, we have developed The Energy Charter Impact Framework.
Our Impact Framework has been designed to help us define, measure and communicate the impact of the collective work throughout our #BetterTogether initiatives.
It provides guidance for us and those who collaborate through The Energy Charter to demonstrate outcomes and impact of our shared work for customers + communities.
The Energy Charter + Signatory Disclosures
The Evolution of Accountability
The IAP process was replaced with a decentralised accountability process comprising effective ‘feedback loops’ leveraging existing stakeholder engagement structures within Signatories.
We also publish an annual Disclosure which sets out how collaboration through the #BetterTogether initiatives have delivered tangible outcomes for customers + communities.
Following a 3-Year Strategic Review, greater focus was placed on cross-sector collaboration through our #BetterTogether initiatives to continue to deliver better outcomes for customers + communities. The Accountability Process leveraged existing business’ stakeholder consultation structures, rather than through the IAP.
The Energy Charter Maturity Model was introduced and Signatories assessed their maturity, indicating where on the maturity scale they are, where they intend to progress to, over what period and how they plan to achieve this.
The purpose of the IAP was to constructively assess outcomes delivered by individual Signatory businesses and the whole energy sector over time. It reviewed Signatory Disclosures, engaged with CEOs + stakeholders and published an Annual Independent Accountability Panel Report.