Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Eli Lilly reports Scope 1 (192,000 tCO₂e) and Scope 2 market-based (258,000 tCO₂e) for FY2024, totaling approximately 450,000 tCO₂e. Data follows GHG Protocol methodology with limited assurance from EY (Scope 1+2) and Bureau Veritas (Scope 3). Multi-year tracking is available with granular breakdown by source. However, Scope 1 actually increased 5.49% year-on-year in 2024, preventing a top score.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Lilly has assessed all 15 Scope 3 categories with limited assurance from Bureau Veritas since 2021. Total Scope 3 estimated at approximately 3.7 million tonnes CO₂e (2022). The company reports supplier engagement with over 75% of suppliers having Scope 1+2 reduction goals. However, a detailed public category-level breakdown is not readily available, and no clear Scope 3 reduction targets exist beyond 'enhancing tracking and reporting.'

Emissions Trajectory: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Lilly claims a 37% reduction in combined Scope 1+2 from 2020 to 2024. However, Scope 1 emissions actually increased 5.49% in 2024 vs 2023, with reductions driven by Scope 2 market-based accounting through renewable energy procurement. The company is growing rapidly (revenue up 32% in 2024, 45% in 2025) with new manufacturing facilities starting up, increasing absolute energy consumption. Net Zero Tracker records no absolute emission reduction in its database. Carbon neutrality target covers only

Energy Source: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Lilly is an RE100 member and sourced 58% of electricity from renewable sources in 2024, doubling from 28% in 2023. By 2025, approximately 80% of electricity came from renewables. The company uses a mix of on-site solar (Ireland, France, Spain, India, US), a large-scale wind PPA (~450,000 MWh/year), purchased renewable electricity, and RECs. Target is 100% renewable by 2030. The use of RECs for a portion of the sourcing, and reliance on market-based accounting rather than all additionality, preve

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Lilly conducted a biodiversity assessment with UC Santa Barbara evaluating TNFD's LEAP approach for global sites. The company leads on rFC as an alternative to horseshoe crab-sourced LAL testing reagent, which benefits marine ecosystems. However, the World Benchmarking Alliance's 2022 Nature Benchmark ranked Lilly below average among pharma peers. The company does not disclose key species affected or have deforestation-free commitments, and no quantified nature footprint exists.

Resource Use & Waste: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Lilly has measurable 2030 waste targets: zero waste to landfill from routine operations and 100% plastic waste repurposed with at least 90% recycled or reused. In 2024, the company repurposed 95.7% of plastic waste and recycled 86.6%. They integrate green chemistry and end-product engineering into product development. The company partners with Novo Nordisk and Sanofi on GLP-1 injectable take-back pilots. However, circularity metrics for the broader material footprint are not disclosed per the Wo

Water Impact: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Lilly consumes approximately 1.3 million m³ of water annually, with 47% in high or extremely high water-stressed areas. The company discharges 4.47 million m³ of wastewater, sometimes with minerals above safety limits. Lilly has 2030 water goals including water management plans for water-stressed sites and ensuring 100% of sites meet PNEC for pharmaceuticals in the environment. They report through CDP Water Security and have a PiE Governance Committee. However, no specific water withdrawal reduc

Targets & Commitments: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Lilly has a 2030 carbon neutrality target for Scope 1+2 and 100% renewable electricity target, which are specific and measurable. However, critically, Lilly has NO SBTi commitment or validated targets. Net Zero Tracker confirms no science-based target is recorded. The carbon neutrality target covers only Scope 1+2, ignoring Scope 3 (~3.7Mt), which represents over 85% of total emissions. The company has not purchased offsets to date, which is positive from a reduction-first standpoint, but the ab

Transparency & Accountability: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Lilly publishes an annual sustainability report with SASB and TCFD alignment. Environmental data receives third-party limited assurance from Bureau Veritas and EY. CEO and Board are actively engaged on sustainability matters. The company reports through CDP and is a UN Global Compact member. However, executive compensation is not publicly linked to sustainability targets, and Public Citizen has criticized the company for inadequate disclosure of state lobbying expenditures.

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Eli Lilly and Company score?

Starting at 8. Deducting 2 for InfluenceMap listing Lilly at 'significant risk of net zero greenwashing' due to trade association climate policy misalignment. Deducting 2 for membership on the Board of the National Association of Manufacturers and membership in US Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable, all of which actively oppose or weaken climate policy per InfluenceMap. Deducting 1 for the company's failure to publish a review of alignment with trade associations on climate policy. Dedu

Eli Lilly and Company Sustainability Score: 39/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Eli Lilly and Company·Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals·Indianapolis, United States·Founded 1876·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review

Eli Lilly reports comprehensive emissions data but lacks science-based targets and scope 3 reduction commitments despite 3.7Mt annual supply chain emissions. Scope 1 rose 5.5% in 2024 while rapid revenue growth masks absolute decoupling. Trade association lobbying actively opposes climate policy.

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

Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals sector ceiling.

45 / 100

Performance score

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

48 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 45) + (0.7 × 48) = 47.1

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

39 / 100

The ten questions

Where Eli Lilly and Company is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (7/10, 6/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Targets & Commitments (1/10, 3/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

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

[1]Self-reported

Eli Lilly Sustainability – Climate

Ongoing

Q1Q2Q3Q4Q9

Every score shows its working.

Where Eli Lilly and Company is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Eli Lilly and Company sits at the bottom of the healthcare / pharmaceuticals pack.

Eli Lilly and 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.