Ben & Jerry's sustainability score: 41/100

Ben & Jerry's publishes annual Social and Environmental Assessment Reports but admits prior editions were 'long on qualitative story-telling and light on quantitative data.' Absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 tonnage figures are not publicly retrievable. DitchCarbon confirms no specific carbon emissions disclosed for recent years. Manufacturing represents <6% of total footprint. Nearly at 100% renewable electricity goal but unverified.

Full lifecycle analysis shows dairy 53%, other ingredients 21%, transport 7%, retail/franchises 10%, other 9%. SBTi-aligned Scope 3 targets set (37.5% reduction by 2035). Low Carbon Dairy project spans 17 farms. However, Scope 3 emissions increased 3% last year; emissions intensity rose from 1.17 to 1.20 kg CO2e/pint. Deforestation-free traceability still in progress. No independent verification of Scope 3.

Primary target is intensity-based, not absolute. Emissions intensity per pint increased from 1.17 kg CO2e (2022) to 1.20 kg CO2e (2023). Company admits 'continues to fall short of meeting its Climate Target.' Did not achieve 40% intensity reduction by 2025 target from 2015 base. Scope 3 emissions increased 3% in most recent year. Trajectory is non-linear and negative.

Targets 100% renewable electricity for global manufacturing, company-owned Scoop Shops, and offices by 2025. PurposeEnergy anaerobic digestion facility opened December 2024, generating 8.75 million kWh annually from ice cream waste, reducing ~600 truck movements yearly. However, no confirmed percentage of renewable energy achieved found in public sources. Franchised shops still under audit.

FSC-Mix certified packaging since 2009; Canopy partnership for ancient forest protection; full traceability still in progress. Low Carbon Dairy project includes regenerative agriculture and biodiverse seed mixes across seven US farms improving 350 acres. SBTi FLAG target: 45.5% absolute Scope 3 reduction by 2035. No TNFD disclosure. Dairy farming's full land-use, water, and biodiversity pressures remain only partially addressed.

Committed to eliminating single-use petroleum-based plastic packaging. FSC-Mix certified pint packaging since 2009. PurposeEnergy pipeline connection diverts all high-strength organic production waste to anaerobic digestion, converting to renewable energy and clean water. No comprehensive circular economy metrics or verified waste diversion rates publicly disclosed. Solutions for coated paper cups still in development.

No public water consumption figures disclosed for 2022–2024. Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation 2024 report: Ben & Jerry's Waterbury plant had 130 wastewater pretreatment violations (most on list)—24 missed suspended solids reports, 12 on BOD, 2 on phosphorous, 92 on pH. State attributed these to personnel reporting failure, not discharge exceedances. Anaerobic digestion partnership stated to reduce phosphorous pollution. Historical herbicide concerns from Regeneration Vermont.

Original SBTi targets (2025): 100% Scope 1/2 reduction, 40% intensity reduction per pint. 2023 SEAR explicitly states company 'continues to fall short.' New SBTi 2035 targets approved: 63% absolute Scope 1/2, 37.5% Scope 3 (purchased goods/franchises), 45.5% FLAG Scope 3. Company rejects offsets and net-zero claims. Internal carbon fund ($2M North America, €800K Europe 2022) funds supply chain investments. Shift from 2025 to 2035 targets without delivery explanation weakens credibility.

34th annual SEAR report (2023) unusually candid about missing targets. B Corporation certified (first wholly-owned subsidiary to achieve this). Mission-locked independent board. Global Sustainability Manager appointed. Internal carbon pricing mechanism since 2015. However, not all data independently verified; absolute emissions figures unclear in accessible reports. Unilever parent relationship complicates governance; CEO removed 2025; board in legal dispute with parent over mission.

2024: Waterbury plant topped Vermont wastewater violations list (130 violations, reporting non-compliance). 2018: Organic Consumers Association lawsuit alleged inaccurate environmental/agricultural sourcing claims, citing factory-style dairy and glyphosate in products; consistent with Regeneration Vermont critiques. Early 2023: New York Times found subsidiary supply chain involved illegal migrant child labour at suppliers. No evidence of climate policy lobbying against; parent Unilever rated 100% by InfluenceMap.