Church & Dwight sustainability score: 35/100

Reports 70,486t Scope 1 and 16,736t Scope 2 market-based emissions for 2024 with multi-year tracking. SBTi-validated methodology confirmed via DitchCarbon and corporate sustainability reports. Data granularity and year-on-year tracking are solid but lack third-party limited assurance verification, preventing higher scores.

Full Scope 3 estimated at ~1,950,404 tonnes CO2e for 2024. However, active management covers only targeted Scope 3 (US/Canada transport, business travel), which remained flat versus 2023. SBTi supplier engagement target requires 75% of suppliers by emissions to have SBTs by 2026, but detailed category-level breakdowns and systematic management across all 15 Scope 3 categories are absent.

Total reported emissions rose from ~310,000t (2023) to ~313,609t (2024)—essentially flat. Company's own disclosure states 2024 was 'essentially flat.' Waste generation increased 10%, missing annual reduction goal. Full Scope 3 dwarfs operational emissions. 46% absolute Scope 1+2 reduction target by 2031 not yet demonstrated in practice. Carbon neutrality claims rely heavily on offsets and RECs, not absolute reductions.

Achieved 100% global renewable electricity for third consecutive year in 2024, but exclusively through renewable energy credits rather than PPAs or on-site generation. Natural gas use (~70,000t Scope 1) unaddressed. REC-based claims lack additionality evidence. CDP responses indicate exploration of PPAs but no demonstrated shift from credit-based procurement.

Sources 96% RSPO Certified Mass Balance palm oil and certifies virtually all paperboard packaging from sustainable sources. However, no TNFD-aligned disclosure, no quantified nature footprint assessment, and no broader biodiversity policy beyond commodity certification. Chemical product lines carry moderate nature impact through supply chain but management remains limited to basic certification compliance.

Increased post-consumer recycled plastic to 22.9% of global plastic packaging (up from 17% in 2022) and achieved 29% virgin plastic reduction versus baseline. However, total waste generation rose 10% in 2024, missing own annual 10% reduction goal. As You Sow previously rated company D+ on plastic pollution. LEAN programme across 11 plants shows mixed results.

Achieved 4% reduction in water intake normalized per million units shipped in 2024 but missed own 10% annual reduction goal. Progress measured on intensity basis (per unit) rather than absolute water consumption. Water is material input across 11+ manufacturing plants. No water stewardship or watershed engagement disclosed.

SBTi-validated near-term targets: 46% absolute Scope 1+2 reduction by 2031 (1.5°C aligned), 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and 75% supplier engagement (SBTs by 2026). However, ARM & HAMMER and broader 2025 carbon neutral goals rely heavily on forestry offsets via Arbor Day Foundation and RECs. No net-zero validated target. Greenwashing risk from offset-first decarbonization strategy.

Publishes annual sustainability reports, discloses to CDP, and maintains Corporate Issues Council reporting to Board Governance Committee. Earned recognition from FTSE4Good, Time Magazine, Newsweek, and EPA Safer Choice. However, no climate scenario analysis (acknowledged in CDP response), no evidence of executive compensation linked to sustainability targets, and no TCFD/CSRD full disclosure observed.

Batiste dry shampoo benzene contamination settled for $2.5M in 2023; company denied wrongdoing. Greenwashing lawsuit filed alleging misleading ARM & HAMMER Clean Burst marketing. Total penalties since 2000: $581K across 21 records per Violation Tracker. Carbon neutrality claims via offsets represent mild greenwashing risk. No evidence of anti-climate lobbying or systematic trade association opposition.