Starbucks sustainability score: 34/100

Starbucks discloses Scope 1 (395,666 tCO₂e) and Scope 2 emissions under GHG Protocol with independent verification by Burns & McDonnell. However, operational emissions rose 5.96% year-on-year in FY24 and Scope 1 has increased 23.65% since 2018, undermining the credibility of disclosure.

Starbucks reports 12.54 million tCO₂e Scope 3 emissions across 13 GHG Protocol categories with third-party verification. C.A.F.E. Practices covers 440,000+ farms with audits. Purchased goods represent ~63% of Scope 3. Supply chain is fully mapped but deforestation-linked sourcing limits real impact.

Total emissions are 3% above FY19 baseline as of FY24 against a 50% reduction target by FY2030. At 13.8 million tCO₂e versus 12.88 million tCO₂e baseline, absolute emissions are rising despite 25% intensity improvement. Scope 1 emissions increased 1.5% year-on-year. Starbucks is dramatically off-track.

Starbucks has been an RE100 member since 2015 and procures renewable electricity equivalent to 77% of global company-operated stores. Market-based Scope 2 (319,058 tCO₂e) significantly lower than location-based (862,698 tCO₂e) reflects genuine procurement via PPAs and solar projects. 23% coverage gap and reliance on unbundled certificates prevent higher scoring.

Coffee production drives tropical deforestation; Starbucks sources from 400,000+ farms in 30 countries with ongoing documented deforestation in Brazil and Ethiopia. C.A.F.E. Practices includes biodiversity protections. Nearly 100 million climate-tolerant trees distributed and Conservation International partnerships exist, but efforts are dwarfed by supply chain scale.

Starbucks generates approximately 400,000 tonnes of packaging waste and 330,000 tonnes of food waste annually, producing over 4 billion single-use cups per year. Waste to landfill increased 6% from FY19 baseline. Only 2% of beverages sold in reusable cups in FY23. The 2018 straw-less lid used more plastic than the predecessor.

Starbucks withdraws over 5.1 billion m³ of water annually, with 29% from medium-high to extremely high water-stressed areas. Total withdrawal decreased 9% from FY19 baseline; target is 50% replenishment by 2030. Greener Stores achieve 30% water savings. Enormous agricultural supply chain footprint remains a major physical impact.

Starbucks has SBTi-validated 50% absolute reduction targets across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by FY2030 with 1.5°C alignment. Founding member of Transform to Net Zero with 2050 net-zero goal. In early 2025, Starbucks removed sustainability goals from executive long-term incentive compensation, significantly undermining governance of climate commitments.

Starbucks publishes annual impact reports since 2001, references SASB, IFRS, TCFD, and GRI, and obtains independent third-party verification of emissions from Burns & McDonnell and Moss Adams. Board-level oversight exists. However, 2025 removal of sustainability from executive pay reverses best practice. Supply chain transparency remains limited.

Multiple active greenwashing and human rights lawsuits: NCL filed January 2024 (motion to dismiss denied), class action May 2025 alleging misleading sustainability claims. Starbucks funds US Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable, both opposing climate legislation per ClimateVoice (June 2025). CEO private jet use and removal of sustainability from pay undermine climate credibility.