Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

Colgate-Palmolive discloses full Scope 1 and 2 emissions using GHG Protocol methodology with third-party assurance statements published annually. The 2020 baseline was 458,700 tCO2e for Scope 1+2, and by 2023 the company had achieved 31.12% of its 42% operational reduction target. Multi-year tracking is available through CDP Climate Change responses and annual sustainability reports. Verification statements are published on the company website.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

Colgate-Palmolive quantifies Scope 3 emissions from Purchased Goods and Services (2020 baseline: 7,058,700 tCO2e) and reports total value chain emissions of ~9.24 Mt CO2e. The company engages suppliers through the CDP Supply Chain Programme with 77% response rate in 2022, and identifies that ingredient and packaging sourcing accounts for approximately 80% of Scope 3 PG&S emissions. However, Planet Tracker noted in 2023 that supply chain engagement had not resulted in meaningful emissions reducti

Emissions Trajectory: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

Emissions increased slightly in 2023 compared to 2022, and total carbon footprint reduction from the 2020 baseline was only 5.48% as of 2023 against a 90% by 2040 target. Planet Tracker assessed Colgate-Palmolive as being on a +3°C pathway for Scope 3. While Scope 1+2 absolute emissions show a three-year declining trend per Climate Action 100+, the value chain emissions target is significantly behind schedule at only 8.26% achieved. Per SINK rules, Scope 3 rising while Scope 1+2 improve caps thi

Energy Source: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

As of end 2022, approximately 52% of Colgate's global electricity was from renewable sources, up from 35% in 2020. The company has signed 20-year VPPAs for solar in the US (209 MW Markum Solar Farm, covering 100% of US operations) and wind in Europe (covering ~60% of European operations). On-site solar installations exist at 17+ facilities globally. The target is 100% renewable electricity by 2030. These are genuine additionality-generating PPAs, not just unbundled RECs.

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

Colgate-Palmolive has a No Deforestation policy covering palm oil, soy, pulp/paper and beef tallow since 2014, with a 2030 deforestation-free objective for palm oil. The company uses RSPO certification, satellite-based geospatial monitoring, and publishes a palm oil grievance log. However, Greenpeace has documented continued sourcing from producers linked to rainforest destruction, and Rainforest Action Network singled them out as a major offender. The 2026 WBA Nature Benchmark scored the compan

Resource Use & Waste: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

By December 2024, 93% of packaging was recyclable, reusable or compostable. Virgin plastic was reduced 25% from a 2019 baseline, and 21% post-consumer recycled content was achieved. 80% of manufacturing sites were TRUE zero-waste certified by end 2023. The company is a signatory to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Global Plastics Commitment. However, the company admitted it will miss its 2025 target for 100% recyclable packaging, and lawsuits in the US and Netherlands challenge the actual recyclab

Water Impact: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

Colgate-Palmolive has been on the CDP Water A-List, discloses detailed water data via CDP Water Security questionnaires, and targets zero freshwater withdrawals at manufacturing facilities. The company participates in the CDP Water Supply Chain Programme and engages suppliers in water-stressed areas. Its Save Water consumer campaign has helped avoid an estimated 155 billion gallons of water use. Water stewardship is a core pillar with quantified targets and supplier engagement, though specific r

Targets & Commitments: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

Colgate-Palmolive was the first multinational CPG company to have SBTi-validated net-zero targets (approved 2022). All targets are absolute: 42% reduction in Scope 1+2 by 2030, 42% Scope 3 PG&S by 2030, 90% total by 2040, net zero by 2040, all from a 2020 baseline. The company does not currently use carbon credits, stating it prioritises direct emissions reduction. It intends to use high-quality nature-based removals only for residual emissions. This is a genuine reduction-first approach with va

Transparency & Accountability: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

Colgate-Palmolive has a dedicated Chief Sustainability Officer (Ann Tracy, appointed 2020) who reports into the growth and strategy organisation. Board oversight exists through the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee which meets quarterly on sustainability topics. The company publishes annual Sustainability & Social Impact Reports, TCFD reports, CDP Climate and Water responses, and a Climate Transition & Net Zero Action Plan. However, there is no mission-locked structur

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Colgate-Palmolive Company score?

Starting at 8: Deduct 2 for upheld regulatory action — the Dutch advertising authority (RCC) ruled in March 2024 that Colgate-Palmolive misled consumers on Ajax bottle recyclability claims, confirmed on appeal. Deduct 1 for the ongoing US class action on toothpaste tube recyclability claims (proceeding, not yet resolved). Deduct 1 for credible NGO reports from Greenpeace and Rainforest Action Network documenting palm oil supply chain deforestation links. InfluenceMap notes very low climate polic

Colgate-Palmolive Company Sustainability Score: 41/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Colgate-Palmolive Company·FMCG / Consumer Goods·New York City, United States·Founded 1806·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review-11 since last review

Colgate-Palmolive has science-based net-zero targets and strong renewable energy progress, but emissions reductions are stalling—Scope 3 rising while absolute footprint trails 2040 goals by years. Supply chain deforestation and greenwashing lawsuits reveal implementation gaps between policy and reality.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

FMCG / Consumer Goods sector ceiling.

30 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

58 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 30) + (0.7 × 58) = 49.6

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

41 / 100

The ten questions

Where Colgate-Palmolive Company is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Targets & Commitments and Carbon Footprint — Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 4/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

17 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Third-party verified

Tracenable — Colgate-Palmolive Climate Targets

Ongoing

Q1Q2

Every score shows its working.

Where Colgate-Palmolive Company is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where Colgate-Palmolive Company sits among fmcg / consumer goods peers.

Colgate-Palmolive Company's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.