Electricity and Gas Supply
Formerly Australian Gas Light Company.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jan 2026)
Praise
Criticism
Information
AGL Energy Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
70% in Just Transition
The 2026 Just Transition Benchmark assessed 1,600 companies across multiple industries and sectors on how they integrate social equity, inclusivity and the rights of workers into their climate transition plan. This company received a score of 70/100. The average score was 5.7 and the highest score was 86.7.
B grade in ACT Core
The 2026 ACT Core Benchmark assessed 1,600 companies on the credibility of their climate transition plans. Companies are evaluated across six measurement areas; emissions reporting and target definition, planning for the low-carbon transition, governance and policy, low-carbon investments, current target alignment, and performance. Companies receive a letter grade from A to G. This company received a score of B (Consequential planning).
Modern Slavery disclosure quality
Modern slavery disclosure is a critical step in mitigating the risk associated with modern slavery practices in companies' operations and supply chains. The quality of the disclosure signals the level of commitments and efforts that the companies have put in managing these risks. In 2024 the Monash Centre for Financial Studies analysed and ranked the disclosure quality of the modern slavery statements submitted by the 100 largest listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX100). This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a grade of A.
Source: Monash University
(2024)
1/5 in Green Electricity Guide
The 2022 Greenpeace Green Electricity Guide ranked 47 Australian electricity retailers based on their environmental credentials, assessing factors like renewable energy provision, commitment to ending coal use by 2030, halting fossil fuel expansion, support for new renewable energy, and transparency. This provider was one of the worst rated, with only 1 star: "relies on highly polluting coal and gas for much of their electricity generation and aren't doing nearly enough to clean up their act."
Source: Greanpeace
(2022)
Fined $25m for breaching overcharging rules
In 2024 AGL and three of its subsidiaries were ordered by the Federal Court to pay penalties totalling $25 million for failing to comply with their overcharging obligations related to Centrepay payments, in proceedings brought by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). This is the largest total penalty ever imposed for breaches of the National Energy Laws.
High ESG Risk
Sustainalytics, a top ESG research firm, evaluates environmental, social, and governance risks for over 16,000 companies. Its ESG Risk Rating reflects how much risk a company faces in its industry and how well it manages those risks. The final score includes both unmanaged and unmanageable risks, and companies are rated on a scale from negligible (0-10) to severe (40+). This company received an ESG Risk Rating of 32.9, placing it in the "high risk" category (retrieved April 2025).
Source: Sustainalytics
(2025)
Involvement with coal
This company is involved in the production of coal or coal-based energy.
Source: company website
(2022)
Fined $6m for backup power failure
In 2024 the Federal Court ordered that AGL Energy Ltd subsidiaries, AGL Macquarie Pty Ltd (AGLM) and AGL Loy Yang Marketing Pty Ltd (AGLL), operators of AGL's Bayswater and Loy Yang power stations, pay penalties totalling $6 million for not providing back up electricity services, breaching the National Electricity Rules.
Fined $3.5m for breaching energy rules
In 2022 three subsidiaries of AGL Energy were ordered to pay a total of $3.5 million in penalties by the Federal Court for breaches of the National Electricity Rules, following proceedings commenced by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) in relation to AGL's conduct during South Australia's state-wide blackout in 2016.
Political donations
The democracyforsale.net website, which aggregates data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), reports that this company donated $883,723 to Australia's major political parties between 2018 and 2023. To view this company's entry in the AEC's Transparency Register, follow the link and click on "Named on the following annual returns as providing funds to:" to see the political donations made by the company.
Source: AEC
(2024)
Fined $925k for overcharging customers
In 2025 this company paid $924,600 in penalties for raising prices for 15,845 residential and small business customers, allegedly in breach of Victoria's energy rules. This resulted in AGL charging customers more than the law allowed on 49,394 occasions, to the combined value of $924,107.
Fined $800k for overcharging customers
In 2023 this company paid a total of $799,656 in penalties after allegedly failing to calculate its 'deemed best offer check' in line with the prescribed formula for 22 customers over the period March to June 2022.
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: put a price on carbon; responsible corporate engagement in climate policy; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to electric vehicles.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Carbon neutral product
Climate Active is an Australian Government program that supports voluntary climate action by certifying businesses and organisations that measure, reduce, and offset their carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality. AGL is certified for its solar systems, solar batteries, power factor correction units, energy-efficient light fixtures, opt-in electricity product and opt-in gas product.
Source: Climate Active
(2025)
Tax paying in Australia
Between 2015 and 2018 this company paid $520 million tax on a total income of $32.8 billion, earning the number 28 spot on Michael West's Top 40 Tax Payers 2020. West calculated which of Australia's largest companies have paid the most tax using three years of tax transparency data published by the Australian Tax Office.
Source: Michael West
(2018)
CDP Climate Change score of C
In 2024, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of C.
Source: CDP
(2024)
Greenpeace campaign
Greenpeace Australia's 2021 "Progress for AGL" campaign targeted AGL Energy, Australia's largest climate polluter, for greenwashing its coal reliance. Tactics included the "Coal-Faced" report exposing 111 licence breaches, logo parodies ("Australia's Greatest Liability"), protests, and shareholder pressure. AGL's lawsuit failed in court, upholding free speech. The campaign derailed AGL's 2022 demerger, accelerating coal closures: Liddell (2023), Loy Yang A (2035), Bayswater (2029). Greenpeace pushes for full exit by 2030, crediting activism for AGL's renewable pivot.
Source: Greenpeace
(2022)
32% in Gender Benchmark
In 2023 and 2024, the World Benchmarking Alliance assessed 2,000 companies on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, and violence and harassment. This company scored 32 out of 100. The average score was 15.3 and the highest score was 51.
31.9% in Social Benchmark
The 2026 Social Benchmark assessed the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company received a score of 31.9/100. The average score was 20 and the highest score was 75.
35.8% in Electric Utilities Benchmark
The 2023 Electric Utilities Benchmark assesses 68 electric utilities companies on their alignment to a low-carbon world, together with social performance. This company ranked #17/68, with a total score of 35.8 out of 100. The average score was 26 and the highest score was 70.
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Revenue:
4.9 billion AUD
(2005)
Employees:
3006
(2005)
Subsidiaries:
ActewAGL Retail
(50% owned)
Electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services
ActewAGL formed in October 2000 when the Australian Gas Light Company (AGL), a major private sector group, and ACTEW Corporation, a government-owned enterprise, entered into Australia's first utility joint venture. Ownership of ActewAGL is shared equally between AGL and the ACT government.
Contact Details
Address:
Level 11 AGL Centre, 111 Pacific Highway, North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia
Phone:
02 9922 0101
Website:
Products / Brands
AGL ActewAGL (50% owned)
ActewAGL (ACT, NSW)
Electricity Suppliers