McDonald's sustainability score: 27/100

McDonald's reports Scope 1 (94,233 tCO₂e) and Scope 2 emissions for 2024 using GHG Protocol methodology. Scope 1 decreased 6.02% vs 2023; Scope 2 market-based declined 68% from 2018. Data covers 25 major markets with extrapolation for remainder. Third-party limited assurance status not fully confirmed in public sources.

Scope 3 emissions quantified at 60.25 million tCO₂e (2024), representing 99.65% of total footprint. Supplier survey data collected across six categories; beef and chicken suppliers set SBTi targets. Category-level Scope 3 breakdown not publicly published. 80% of emissions remain supplier-dependent and difficult to verify independently.

Scope 1+2 show meaningful reductions (Scope 1 down ~12% since 2019; Scope 2 down 68% from 2018). Total emissions including Scope 3 rose 0.34% in 2024 vs 2023. Scope 3 declined only 3–4% from 2018 baseline despite 50.4% target for 2030. Overall physical impact essentially stagnant.

McDonald's holds 675+ MW of renewable energy VPPAs (solar and wind in US; renewables in Europe), delivering 68% Scope 2 market-based reduction from 2018. Not RE100 member. No published global renewable percentage for 43,000+ restaurants. Franchise coverage remains partial; VPPA reliance on RECs rather than direct supply limits score.

McDonald's committed to deforestation-free supply chains by 2030 for beef, soy, palm oil, coffee, fiber. TNFD Forum and CGF Forest Positive Coalition member. As You Sow (Dec 2024) noted lack of published biodiversity impact review. Greenpeace criticized 2030 deadline as five years late. Beef supply chain remains major Amazon and Cerrado deforestation driver.

90.9% of primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled or certified materials (end 2024), targeting 100% by end 2025. Virgin plastic in Happy Meal toys reduced 80.3% vs 2018. 89.6% of restaurants in advanced markets offer recycling/composting. Company generates ~1 million tonnes packaging waste annually; recycling infrastructure varies across 100+ countries.

McDonald's consumed 1.8 million m³ water (2022); 33% sourced from high/extremely high baseline water stress regions. Value chain water risk assessment completed using WRI Aqueduct; supplier survey launched covering beef, chicken, potatoes, buns, beverages. Water efficiency standards set for new restaurants. Quantified reduction targets not publicly established despite supplier pollution links.

SBTi near-term (2030) and net-zero (2050) targets aligned with 1.5°C. Absolute Scope 1+2 reduction 50.4%; Scope 3 energy/industrial reduction 50.4%; Scope 3 FLAG reduction 16% from 2018 baseline. Targets absolute, not intensity-based. No heavy offset reliance. FLAG target modest given agriculture represents bulk of emissions; Scope 3 only 3–4% reduction achieved to date.

Annual Purpose & Impact Reports, SASB Index, CDP Climate Change disclosure, TCFD-aligned Climate Resiliency Summary, California Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures published. Board Sustainability Committee oversees climate strategy; Chief Global Impact Officer reports to leadership. Executive compensation includes sustainability-linked objectives. Scope 3 category-level breakdown not fully published; franchise-level aggregation introduces uncertainty.

Center for Biological Diversity accused net-zero pledge of greenwashing. Canadian Competition Bureau investigated misleading 'sustainable beef' ads; McDonald's withdrew them (resolved). Greenpeace documented 'McGreenwash' net-zero restaurant and deforestation linkages. Trade association memberships include PAC; not on InfluenceMap A-List, indicating unresolved industry association misalignment.