Nissan Motor sustainability score: 26/100

Nissan reports Scope 1 (462 kt CO₂e) and Scope 2 (1,266 kt CO₂e) for FY2023 with third-party assurance by KPMG AZSA and granular regional breakdowns since 2004. Manufacturing emissions per vehicle showed only 0.5% improvement vs 2018, indicating very slow operational decarbonisation despite comprehensive disclosure.

Nissan quantifies Scope 3 at 116.7 million tonnes CO₂e (2023), 100 Mt from products-in-use. Suppliers engaged on green steel and recycled aluminium. However, Lead the Charge scorecard noted battery sustainability disclosure at only 4% and no disaggregated supply chain emissions targets for steel, aluminium, and batteries.

Nissan's 52% manufacturing CO₂ reduction by 2030 is intensity-based per unit; as of 2024, only 18.92% achieved. Absolute Scope 1+2 target (30% by 2030) exists but lifecycle emissions (~118 Mt) remain enormous, dominated by 3.4 million ICE vehicles sold annually. Absolute emissions trajectory for planet is not materially improving.

Renewable energy at production sites was approximately 11.1% as of 2021. Nissan is not an RE100 member. Some on-site solar exists (30 MW Huadu China); Aguascalientes Mexico plant achieved 50% renewable in 2021. No clear near-term target for high renewable adoption across global operations.

Nissan aligns with TNFD recommendations and published a Responsible Materials Sourcing Policy (July 2025). No quantified biodiversity footprint, no deforestation-free commitment with third-party verification. Lead the Charge noted limited concrete supply chain sustainability actions. Primary nature risk is mining and resource extraction.

Nissan reports 32% sustainable materials in manufacturing (2023 target 40% by 2030). Battery 4R programme active; 150,000 of 158,000 tonnes manufacturing waste recycled (2021). Lead the Charge rated battery recycling zero across all indicators. New vehicle recycled plastic only 5% (2021). Primarily dependent on newly sourced materials.

Nissan achieved CDP A-list for water security. Water stress assessed at all manufacturing sites using WRI Aqueduct Atlas. Wastewater managed to stricter standards than local regulations; some sites achieved zero discharge via reverse osmosis. Specific quantified consumption trends and absolute reduction data not disclosed. Per-vehicle target is intensity-based.

Nissan has SBTi well-below 2°C targets and committed to Business Ambition for 1.5°C (first Japanese automaker). Scope 1+2 target 30% absolute by 2030 (vs 2018); Scope 3 target 32.5% per-vehicle-km (intensity). Carbon neutrality by 2050 across lifecycle. Delivery lagging: only 18.92% of manufacturing target achieved as of 2024.

Nissan publishes GRI-aligned Sustainability Data Books since 2004, inaugural 2024 Integrated Report, TCFD/TNFD-aligned disclosures. Chief Sustainability Officer at senior vice president level. Third-party limited assurance by KPMG AZSA. CDP A-list for climate and water. No evidence of executive compensation linked to sustainability targets found.

2016: South Korean authorities accused Nissan of defeat device for emissions data on Qashqai; Nissan denied. InfluenceMap documents mixed climate policy: Nissan advocated to weaken UK ZEV mandate and delay penalties. CEO vice president of JAMA; member of Alliance for Automotive Innovation and FCAI (both with negative climate records). Did not identify trade association misalignment.