Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Henkel reports Scope 1 (405,621 tCO2e) and Scope 2 (55,988 tCO2e market-based) for FY2024 with GHG Protocol methodology. Data is third-party verified and reported annually since 2010+ with granular breakdown. Henkel received a CDP A rating for Climate in 2025, confirming high data quality. Multi-year tracking shows consistent methodology and declining operational emissions.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Henkel reports full Scope 3 emissions of approximately 37.7 million tCO2e covering purchased goods, packaging, logistics, product use phase and end-of-life. In April 2024, Henkel launched Climate Connect, a comprehensive supplier engagement programme with Manufacture 2030, to collect emissions data and define reduction measures. Raw materials and packaging account for about 25% of value chain emissions. Full value chain mapping is underway but Scope 3 data quality is still evolving.

Emissions Trajectory: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

By end of 2024, Henkel had reduced its absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 20% compared to the 2021 base year, representing genuine absolute decarbonisation across all scopes. However, Henkel's public communications heavily emphasise the 64% intensity reduction (CO2 per ton of product vs 2017), which risks overstating progress. The switch from intensity-based SBTi targets (2020 vintage) to absolute targets (2024 revalidation) is positive but warrants a small penalty for the historical rel

Energy Source: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Henkel sourced 89% of its purchased electricity from renewable sources in 2023, and 47% of total purchased energy from renewables by end 2024. The company has signed VPPAs with additionality — a wind farm VPPA with Ørsted in Texas covering 100% of US operations, and a solar VPPA in Spain covering 40+ European sites. Target is 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Scored at 6 rather than 8 because 47% of total energy (including thermal) is still from conventional sources, and the remaining non-elec

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Henkel has a zero net deforestation commitment and a Policy on Deforestation-Risk Commodities. In FY2024, 97% of palm oil and palm kernel oil was sourced as RSPO mass balance certified. Since 2023, Henkel is a member of the SBTN Corporate Engagement Program and has published a Nature Policy covering biodiversity, climate and water. CDP rated B for Forests in 2025. However, there is no evidence of TNFD-aligned disclosure, no quantified nature footprint, and the company's supply chain exposure to

Resource Use & Waste: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Henkel has measurable circular economy targets: 25% recycled plastic in consumer packaging achieved by end 2024 (targeting 30% by end 2025), and 89% of consumer packaging designed for recyclability. Production waste reduced by 38% per ton of product vs 2010 baseline. Examples include 100% recycled plastic Dial bottles in North America and 50%+ post-consumer recyclate in European detergent and hair care packaging. Adhesive Technologies developed bio-based hot melt adhesives with 49% bio-based raw

Water Impact: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Henkel targets 35% reduction in water consumption per ton of product by 2025 (vs 2010 baseline), achieving 23% by end 2024 globally and 33% in North America. The company joined the UN CEO Water Mandate in 2021 and has implemented closed-loop water systems at multiple sites (Cannon Falls achieved 95% reduction in water discharge). CDP rated B for Water Security. However, water targets are intensity-based (per ton of product), not absolute, and as a manufacturer of detergents and adhesives, Henkel

Targets & Commitments: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Henkel has SBTi-validated near-term targets (42% absolute Scope 1&2 reduction and 30% absolute Scope 3 reduction by 2030 from 2021 base) and SBTi-validated net-zero targets (90% absolute reduction across all scopes by 2045). These are absolute targets, not intensity-based, and cover all seven Kyoto Protocol GHGs. The approach is reduction-first, with permanent carbon removal and storage only for residual emissions (max 10%). No evidence of significant offset reliance. The company has a Climate T

Transparency & Accountability: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Henkel publishes an annual Sustainability Report (2024 report aligned with ESRS content requirements). The company has a Chief Sustainability Officer (Ulrike Sapiro) and a Sustainability Council chaired by EVP Sylvie Nicol. Board oversight is evidenced. Executive compensation is linked to SBTi Scope 1&2 targets. CDP A rating for Climate in 2025. EcoVadis Gold Medal (top 5%). MSCI ESG AAA rating. FTSE4Good inclusion. Morningstar Sustainalytics Top-Rated. However, no formal B Corp or mission-locke

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Henkel AG & Co. KGaA score?

Starting at 8. Henkel was fined by the French Autorité de la concurrence in 2016 for price-fixing on personal hygiene products (deduct 1 for resolved regulatory action). The 2011 EU washing powder cartel case resulted in no fine for Henkel as it was the whistleblower. No greenwashing-specific lawsuits or regulatory actions found. On lobbying: Henkel is a member of CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council) and likely BDI, both identified by InfluenceMap as oppositional to ambitious climate polic

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA Sustainability Score: 38/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA·FMCG / Consumer Goods·Aachen, Germany·Founded 1876·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review

Henkel demonstrates credible absolute emissions reductions (20% since 2021) and science-based near-term targets validated by SBTi. However, supply chain data quality remains immature, nature impact is unquantified, and water targets stay intensity-based. Trade association misalignment on climate policy and a 2016 competition fine mark real governance gaps.

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.

65 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 30) + (0.7 × 65) = 54.5

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.7

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

38 / 100

The ten questions

Where Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Targets & Commitments (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (5/10, 5/10).

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]Third-party verified

Ditch Carbon — Henkel Organization Profile

Ongoing

Q1Q2

Every score shows its working.

Where Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where Henkel AG & Co. KGaA sits among fmcg / consumer goods peers.

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

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We'll let you know when the score moves.

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