Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Nike score?

Nike reports FY24 Scope 1 (57,390t CO₂e) and Scope 2 market-based (12,120t CO₂e) emissions with PwC limited assurance, GHG Protocol methodology, and multi-year tracking. The FY24 Sustainability Data report provides granular breakdown by facility type. Location-based Scope 2 is 211,322t, illustrating significant market-based instrument effect. Verified, multi-year, granular data with declining trend.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Nike score?

Nike reports full Scope 3 emissions of ~8.2Mt CO₂e for FY24 across 8 of 15 categories, with Purchased Goods and Services at ~85% of Scope 3. Supplier lists are publicly available for Tier 1 and Tier 2. However, Stand.earth notes Nike still lacks a 1.5°C-aligned manufacturing emissions target. Scope 3 quantification is comprehensive with methodology but supplier engagement on reductions remains insufficient given the scale of value chain emissions.

Emissions Trajectory: How does Nike score?

Scope 1 and 2 absolute emissions have fallen dramatically: 69-73% from 2015 baseline, from 225,644t (FY20) to ~69,510t (FY24). However, Scope 3 emissions remain above the 2015 baseline of 9.22Mt (up ~3% as of FY23), though FY24 showed a 13% drop to 8.2Mt. Tracenable notes Scope 3 levels 'exceed those of the 2015 baseline, placing the company well behind its reduction target.' Total emissions are declining but Scope 3 — representing 96% of the footprint — is only now starting to fall. Capped at 4

Energy Source: How does Nike score?

Nike reached 96% renewable electricity in owned/operated facilities by FY23-24, up from 48% in FY20. This is achieved through PPAs (Avangrid/Iberdrola in US and Spain), VPPAs (Japan), onsite solar/wind, and RECs/EACs. Nike is an RE100 member since 2015 and is actively expanding renewable energy in its supply chain through SCAP and ACEC. However, the supply chain — where 96% of emissions occur — still relies heavily on fossil-fuel grids in Vietnam, Indonesia and China. Capped below 8 because supp

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Nike score?

The World Benchmark Alliance's 2022 Nature Benchmark found Nike has not holistically assessed its impacts or dependencies on nature, does not disclose key species or areas affected, and found no evidence of strategies to avoid ecosystem conversion including deforestation. Despite 100% LWG-certified leather, some suppliers have been linked to Amazon deforestation. Nike is a G7 Fashion Pact signatory with biodiversity commitments and partners with TNC and WWF on watershed restoration, but lacks TN

Resource Use & Waste: How does Nike score?

Nike diverts 100% of waste from Tier 1 manufacturing from landfill, with 80% recycled back into Nike products. FY24 strategic finished goods suppliers diverted operational waste from landfill with over 60% reused or recycled. Move to Zero and Nike Circular Design Guide demonstrate active circularity strategies. Nike Refurbished and Reuse-A-Shoe programs are operational. However, the World Benchmark Alliance notes Nike does not report quantitatively on group-wide circularity performance, and micr

Water Impact: How does Nike score?

Nike achieved a 15% reduction in freshwater use for dyeing and finishing vs FY20 baseline in FY24. 90% of strategic suppliers meet ZDHC wastewater guidelines. Since FY20, 18.51 billion liters of water have been cumulatively restored through TNC/WWF partnerships. Nike is a CEO Water Mandate signatory. Annual consumption is ~18.5M m³ with 42% in water-stressed areas. However, Nike does not publish a comprehensive total water footprint, and only half its suppliers met wastewater quality requirement

Targets & Commitments: How does Nike score?

Nike has SBTi-validated near-term targets: 65% absolute reduction in Scope 1&2 and 30% absolute reduction in Scope 3 by 2030 from 2015 baseline, plus a 2050 net-zero commitment. KnowESG confirms SBTi status as 'Validated' and CDP Climate rating of A-. Targets are absolute, not intensity-based. However, Scope 3 target of only 30% by 2030 is relatively modest and Stand.earth notes Nike's manufacturing target is not 1.5°C-aligned. Some carbon offset use for Nike.com shipments through EFM forestry p

Transparency & Accountability: How does Nike score?

Nike publishes annual Impact Reports and FY24 Sustainability Data with PwC limited assurance on select metrics. Reports align with GRI standards and SASB. There is a Sustainability & Governance Committee at Board level. Nike discloses Scope 1-3 emissions, supplier lists (Tier 1 and 2), renewable energy data, and water metrics. CDP Climate rating is A-. Long-term Incentive Program includes 'People & Planet' component though specifics are unclear. Nike has not adopted TNFD. Overall, strong transpa

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Nike score?

Starting at 8. ASA (UK) upheld ruling in December 2025 banning Nike's Google ad for unsubstantiated 'sustainable materials' claim (-2). US greenwashing class action (Ellis v. Nike) was dismissed with prejudice, so no deduction. Nike is a member of the Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, and US Chamber of Commerce — all identified by InfluenceMap as engaging negatively on climate policy (-2). ClimateVoice's June 2025 scorecard specifically lists Nike as a company 'opposing

Nike Sustainability Score: 39/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Nike·Apparel (Durable / Outdoor)·Beaverton, Oregon, US·Founded 1972·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review-3 since last review

Nike has cut Scope 1&2 emissions 69–73% since 2015 but Scope 3—96% of its footprint—only recently began falling after years above baseline. Supply chain energy transition remains early-stage, nature impact assessment is absent, and Nike's membership in anti-climate trade associations directly contradicts its climate commitments. Recent greenwashing ruling adds credibility damage.

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

Apparel (Durable / Outdoor) sector ceiling.

30 / 100

Performance score

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

55 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 30) + (0.7 × 55) = 47.5

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

39 / 100

The ten questions

Where Nike is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 3/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

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

[1]Self-reported

FY24 Nike Inc. Sustainability Data

2024

Q1Q9

Every score shows its working.

Where Nike is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where Nike sits among apparel (durable / outdoor) peers.

Nike'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.