Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does McDonald's score?

McDonald's reports Scope 1 (94,233 tCO₂e) and Scope 2 emissions for 2024 with GHG Protocol methodology and multi-year tracking. Scope 1 decreased 6.02% vs 2023 and Scope 2 market-based declined 68% from 2018 baseline per the Purpose & Impact Report. Data covers 25 major markets with extrapolation for remaining markets. CDP disclosure is provided but third-party limited assurance status is not fully confirmed in public sources, preventing a score of 8.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does McDonald's score?

McDonald's quantifies Scope 3 emissions at approximately 60.25 million tCO₂e (2024), representing 99.65% of its total footprint. The company uses TraQtion supplier survey to collect data across six categories and has engaged beef and chicken suppliers to set SBTi targets. However, category-level Scope 3 breakdown is not publicly published per Tracenable analysis, and 80% of emissions are tied to supplier actions which remain difficult to verify independently.

Emissions Trajectory: How does McDonald's score?

While Scope 1+2 emissions show meaningful absolute reductions (Scope 1 down ~12% since 2019, Scope 2 down 68% from 2018), total emissions including Scope 3 rose 0.34% in 2024 compared to 2023. Scope 3 has only declined approximately 3-4% from the 2018 baseline despite a 50.4% target for 2030. With Scope 3 constituting 99.65% of the total footprint and showing near-flat trajectory, the company's overall physical impact on the planet is essentially stagnant. This caps the trajectory score because

Energy Source: How does McDonald's score?

McDonald's has invested significantly in renewable energy through multiple VPPAs totaling 675+ MW of new capacity in the US (solar and wind in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Louisiana), with European markets also sourcing renewables. The 68% reduction in market-based Scope 2 from 2018 reflects meaningful renewable energy procurement. However, the company is not RE100 and does not report a specific overall renewable energy percentage for its 43,000+ restaurants globally. The reliance on VPPAs (which

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does McDonald's score?

McDonald's has a Commitment on Forests and Natural Ecosystems (updated 2024) targeting deforestation-free supply chains by 2030 for priority commodities (beef, soy, palm oil, coffee, fiber). The company is a TNFD Forum member, CGF Forest Positive Coalition member, and works with WWF and Proforest. However, As You Sow filed a shareholder resolution (Dec 2024) noting McDonald's has not published a systematic review of its biodiversity impacts and dependencies. Greenpeace Australia criticized the 2

Resource Use & Waste: How does McDonald's score?

McDonald's reports 90.9% of primary guest packaging sourced from renewable, recycled or certified materials as of end 2024, targeting 100% by end 2025. Virgin fossil fuel-based plastic in Happy Meal toys reduced by 80.3% vs 2018. Approximately 89.6% of restaurants in markets with advanced infrastructure offered recycling/composting. France has piloted circular restaurant design. However, the company generates an estimated 1 million tonnes of packaging waste annually, plastic production reportedl

Water Impact: How does McDonald's score?

McDonald's consumed approximately 1.8 million m³ of water in 2022, with 33% sourced from regions with high or extremely high baseline water stress. The company completed a value chain water risk assessment using WRI Aqueduct tools and launched a supplier water survey covering beef, chicken, potatoes, buns and beverages. Water efficiency standards are set for new restaurants (low-flow fixtures). However, supply chain water impact is enormous due to beef and crop agriculture, suppliers including T

Targets & Commitments: How does McDonald's score?

McDonald's has SBTi-validated near-term (2030) and net-zero (2050) targets as of 2023, aligned with 1.5°C. Targets include absolute Scope 1+2 reduction of 50.4%, absolute Scope 3 energy/industrial reduction of 50.4%, and absolute Scope 3 FLAG reduction of 16%, all from a 2018 base year. The targets are absolute, not intensity-based (the earlier intensity target was updated). No evidence of heavy offset reliance. However, the 16% FLAG target for Scope 3 agriculture is modest given it represents t

Transparency & Accountability: How does McDonald's score?

McDonald's publishes annual Purpose & Impact Reports, SASB Index, CDP Climate Change disclosure, TCFD-aligned Climate Resiliency Summary, and California Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures. The Board's Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Committee oversees climate strategy. A Chief Global Impact Officer reports to leadership. Executive compensation includes sustainability-linked performance objectives. Public disclosure of emissions data, targets and progress is comprehensive. However, S

Controversies & Red Flags: How does McDonald's score?

Starting at 8. Deduct 1 for Center for Biological Diversity greenwashing accusations regarding net-zero pledge (credible NGO criticism). Deduct 1 for Canadian Competition Bureau investigation into misleading 'sustainable beef' ads, which resulted in McDonald's withdrawing the ads (resolved regulatory action). Deduct 1 for Greenpeace criticism of 'McGreenwash' net-zero restaurant and ongoing deforestation linkages in beef supply chain documented by multiple NGOs including Anthropocene FII. Deduct

McDonald's Sustainability Score: 27/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

McDonald's·Food & Beverage (meat/dairy)·Chicago, Illinois, USA·Founded 1940·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Significant gapsPending Review-2 since last review

McDonald's has validated net-zero targets but Scope 3 emissions—99.65% of total—are essentially flat. Beef supply chain deforestation remains unresolved. The company faces greenwashing accusations, regulatory action on misleading ads, and modest biodiversity commitments. Operations reporting is solid; systemic impact is stagnant.

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

Food & Beverage (meat/dairy) sector ceiling.

30 / 100

Performance score

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

52 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 30) + (0.7 × 52) = 45.4

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Significant gaps.

27 / 100

The ten questions

Where McDonald's is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Targets & Commitments (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Controversies & Red Flags (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

McDonald's GHG Emissions (Tracenable)

Ongoing

Q1Q2Q3

Every score shows its working.

Where McDonald's is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where McDonald's sits among food & beverage (meat/dairy) peers.

McDonald's'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.