United Kingdom achieves very good score in EITI implementation
Outcome of the Validation of the UK
The United Kingdom has achieved a very good overall score of 87.5 points in implementing the 2023 EITI Standard, following its third Validation. The UK is the first country to be assessed under the 2023 EITI Standard, which introduced new requirements on anti-corruption, energy transition and environmental reporting.
The Validation found that the UK demonstrated very good performance across all three components – Outcomes and impact, Stakeholder engagement and Transparency – and recognised its global leadership in beneficial ownership transparency. EITI implementation has helped link extractive sector transparency to broader policy priorities, particularly in advancing anti-corruption reforms. The assessment also noted ongoing discussions on how EITI implementation could support the country’s energy transition and critical minerals strategy, while identifying opportunities to strengthen public debate and improve disclosures on contracts, exports and project costs
“The United Kingdom has shown leadership in aligning EITI implementation with evolving global priorities, including anti-corruption and the energy transition,” said Helen Clark, EITI Board Chair. “As the first country validated against the 2023 EITI Standard, the UK sets an example for how transparency can inform responsible management of extractive resources. Continued efforts to strengthen public debate and disclosure practices for contracts will further enhance this leadership.”
Oil and gas extraction contributed around USD 35 billion in gross value added (GVA) in the UK in 2023, representing just over 1% of total UK GVA, while mining and quarrying accounted for about 0.11% of GVA. The sector is undergoing transition, with policies to phase out onshore fossil fuel development and new coal extraction in Scotland, and to align North Sea energy development with the UK’s ambition to become a major clean energy player.
Transparency and innovation in data disclosure
The UK has a strong record in publishing timely, accessible data through both EITI reporting and government systems. The UK EITI website links to open datasets from Companies House, the North Sea Transition Authority and the British Geological Survey, providing information on revenues, production and greenhouse gas emissions across the oil, gas and mining sectors. The 2023 UK EITI Payments Report presents concise, comprehensible data and explains significant fluctuations in oil and gas revenues.
The UK is also a leader in beneficial ownership transparency, with information published through the People with Significant Control (PSC) Register and strengthened under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The multi-stakeholder group’s systematic approach to following up on recommendations from EITI reporting and Validations is recognised as a best practice that promotes continuous learning and accountability. The Validation also highlighted the UK’s pioneering disclosures on project costs, reflecting early efforts to implement new transparency provisions under the 2023 EITI Standard.
Strengthening civic engagement and disclosure practices
The Validation identified seven corrective actions to be addressed before the UK’s next assessment in 2030. These include strengthening public debate on extractive sector governance and the energy transition, maintaining an enabling environment for civil society engagement, and improving disclosures on contracts, exports and revenue distribution. The UK is also encouraged to publish a comprehensive list of mining and quarrying licenses across devolved authorities, develop a plan for contract disclosure in the mining sector, and enhance reporting of export volumes and values by company.
Civil society participation on the EITI multi-stakeholder group remains active and constructive, though the Validation noted the need for continued monitoring of civic space and broader engagement with stakeholders outside the formal EITI process. Addressing these actions will help ensure that EITI data continues to inform debate on issues of public interest such as energy transition policies, while strengthening the inclusiveness and sustainability of EITI implementation.
