Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM reports Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational GHG emissions using GHG Protocol methodology with third-party review. Operational emissions fell to 265,000 mtCO2e in 2024, down from 364,000 in 2023. Multi-year tracking back to 2010 baseline with granular breakdown by emission source (fuels, refrigerants, electricity). Data is publicly available on IBM's Energy and Climate page with co-location data centers reclassified to Scope 2 in 2024.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM reports only 4 of 15 Scope 3 categories (upstream leased assets, employee commute, business travel, use of sold products) and does not disclose total Scope 3 emissions. IBM stated it is working to report all material Scope 3 categories in 2026 for CY2025. IBM requires first-tier suppliers to set GHG goals and key suppliers in emissions-intensive industries to set science-based goals. However, full value chain quantification is absent, which is a significant gap for a company of this scale wi

Emissions Trajectory: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM demonstrates a clear multi-year declining trajectory in absolute operational emissions. Emissions dropped from approximately 429,000 mtCO2e in 2022 to 364,000 in 2023 and 265,000 in 2024 — a 68.5% reduction vs the 2010 baseline by 2023, exceeding its 65% target two years early. This is genuine absolute reduction, not intensity-based. However, Scope 3 trajectory is unknown as full Scope 3 has never been reported, preventing a score of 8 or higher.

Energy Source: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM procured 79.6% of its total electricity from renewable sources in 2024, meeting its 75% by 2025 goal a year early. 83% of data center electricity came from renewables, with 35 data centers at 100% renewable. IBM explicitly does not rely on unbundled RECs and sources renewables from grid regions where consumption occurs. IBM uses PPAs (e.g., Boralex France) and is developing on-site solar (Hursley UK). Target is 90% by 2030. Not yet at 90%+ threshold for a score of 8.

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM has assessed some nature dependencies and taken action: it established 70 pollinator gardens across 26 countries by end 2023, surpassing its 50-garden goal. Four major IBM sites hold Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certifications. The Jefferson Project at Lake George represents a significant freshwater ecosystem R&D initiative. IBM sources paper/wood-based packaging from sustainably managed forests. However, there is no TNFD-aligned disclosure, no quantified nature footprint, and no fo

Resource Use & Waste: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM diverted 94.2% of nonhazardous waste from landfill and incineration in 2021, exceeding its 90% target. The company has voluntary goals to eliminate single-use plastics from cafeteria operations by 2025 and uses waste-to-energy for no more than 10% of diverted waste. IBM has a pollution prevention program dating to 1971 with a clear waste hierarchy (reuse, recycling, recovery, treatment, disposal). IBM also tracks EPCRA reportable chemicals globally on a voluntary basis. These are measurable

Water Impact: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM has a voluntary goal to achieve year-to-year reductions in water withdrawals at larger locations in water-stressed regions, and reported a 1.2% reduction vs 2020. IBM notes that approximately 85% of water withdrawals at its facilities are for domestic consumption and HVAC. IBM manages wastewater discharges at applicable locations with discharge permits and tracks discharges globally through its environmental management system. However, total water withdrawal volumes are not prominently discl

Targets & Commitments: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM has set a self-declared net-zero operational GHG emissions goal by 2030, with a residual emissions target of less than 350,000 mtCO2e and plans to use carbon removal technologies for residual emissions. The 65% reduction target by 2025 (vs 2010) was achieved two years early. These are specific, measurable, absolute targets with timelines. However, IBM does not appear to have SBTi-validated targets — its goals are self-set and not independently validated against science-based criteria. The re

Transparency & Accountability: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

IBM has a dedicated Chief Sustainability Officer (Christina Shim) and publishes an annual Impact Report covering environmental data. The company has disclosed CO2 emissions since 1994 and has 30+ years of public environmental reporting. IBM's energy and emissions data undergoes third-party review. IBM reports through CDP and publishes detailed energy, climate, and waste data on its website. IBM's 21 voluntary environmental goals are publicly tracked. However, full Scope 3 reporting is not yet av

Controversies & Red Flags: How does International Business Machines Corporation score?

Starting at 8. No major greenwashing fines, regulatory actions, or environmental lawsuits against IBM were found. However, InfluenceMap identified IBM as having one of the most negative impacts on climate policy through its trade association network — IBM sits on the board of the US Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers, both of which actively oppose climate policy. InfluenceMap also noted IBM has not published a transparent climate lobbying review and

International Business Machines Corporation Sustainability Score: 56/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

International Business Machines Corporation·Consulting / Professional Services·Armonk, United States·Founded 1911·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Making progressPending Review

IBM has cut operational emissions 68.5% since 2010 and sources 79.6% renewable electricity. But full Scope 3 emissions remain unreported, SBTi validation is absent, and IBM sits on boards of climate-hostile trade associations while serving oil and gas clients. Lobbying misalignment is a material blind spot.

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

Consulting / Professional Services sector ceiling.

65 / 100

Performance score

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

57 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 65) + (0.7 × 57) = 59.4

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.95

Final score

Rounded. Making progress.

56 / 100

The ten questions

Where International Business Machines Corporation is strong, and where it isn't.

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

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

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

[1]Self-reported

IBM Energy and Climate

Ongoing

Q1Q2Q3Q4Q8Q9

View →

[2]Third-party verified

Statista – IBM Scope 1 and 2 GHG Emissions

Unknown

Q1Q3

View →

[3]Public record

EnkiAI – IBM Solar Strategy 2025

2025

View →

[4]Third-party verified

3BL Media – IBM Pollinator Gardens and Biodiversity

Unknown

View →

[5]Self-reported

IBM History – Sustainability

Unknown

View →

[6]Self-reported

IBM Pollution and Environmental Management

Ongoing

Q6Q7

View →

[7]Self-reported

IBM Sustainability Environmental Page

Ongoing

Q6Q7

View →

[8]Public record

datacenterdynamics.com — ibm promises be net zero 2030

Unknown

View →

[9]Third-party verified

Climate Action 100+ – IBM Resolution Briefing

2024

Q9Q10

View →

[10]Third-party verified

InfluenceMap – Trade Associations and Climate Policy Footprint

Unknown

Q10

View →

[11]Public record

IASJ – IBM Lobbying Expenditures Disclosure on Climate

Unknown

Q10

View →

If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.

International Business Machines Corporation in context

Where International Business Machines Corporation sits among consulting / professional services peers.

Among the 8 major consulting / professional services brands we've scored, International Business Machines Corporation sits 6th of 8.

6/8

International Business Machines Corporation's rank

Industry average

Industry low

Industry high

1PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

2Deloitte

3Accenture

4Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY)

5Bioregional Development

6International Business Machines Corporation

7Protect Our Winters

8McKinsey & Company

How this score has moved

International Business Machines Corporation's score over time.

Score history begins 8 February 2026.

As International Business Machines Corporation's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.

We're backfilling historical scores for FTSE 100 and S&P 100 companies over the coming weeks.

What's being contested

This score is not currently being contested.

Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.

No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.

About International Business Machines Corporation

IBM is a multinational technology and consulting company providing cloud, AI, enterprise software, and infrastructure services. Once a hardware manufacturer, it now derives revenue primarily from software, services, and consulting. A legacy player in corporate sustainability reporting since 1994.

Founded

1911

Headquarters

Armonk, United States

Employees

~270,000

Annual revenue

$62.8B (FY2024)

Company website ↗

Check the competitors

Related companies worth a look.

SaaS / Digital Services

Microsoft

Peer tech company with stronger Scope 3 reporting and SBTi validation; better lobbying alignment clarity.

View breakdown →

SaaS / Digital Services

Salesforce

Cloud/consulting peer with net-zero target; comparable data center footprint and renewable energy transition.

View breakdown →

Oil & Gas

Chevron

Fossil fuel client of IBM; illustrates technology vendor's supply-side reliance on high-carbon sectors.

View breakdown →

Consulting / Professional Services

Accenture

Global consulting competitor with similar operational emissions profile and net-zero goals; contrasts lobbying disclosure.

View breakdown →

Track International Business Machines Corporation

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Email alerts when a rubric question is verified, a challenge is resolved, or the overall score changes.

THE SUNDAY RUNDOWN

Which companies moved this week, and why.

One email, every Sunday. Score changes, new research, the stories behind the numbers. Free.

No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.

HOW SINK STAYS INDEPENDENT

Readers and institutions support our work. Companies can pay to submit evidence we couldn't find. Neither type of payment changes a score.

Get scored Become a member →