Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Target score?

Target reports full Scope 1 (820Kt) and Scope 2 (2,293Kt market-based) for FY2023, independently verified per ISO 14064-1 and GHG Protocol. Multi-year tracking with granular breakdown by source (refrigerants 468Kt of Scope 1). Data verified by third party with verification statements published annually since 2021. Strong disclosure but absolute Scope 1+2 total remains ~3.1 million tonnes, which is substantial.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Target score?

Target reports Scope 3 emissions (~58.7Mt for FY2023) covering purchased goods and services, upstream/downstream transport, and use of sold products per SBTi guidance. 75% of suppliers by spend have set science-based targets. Forward Renew program launched in 2024 with 125+ supplier partners. Scope 3 reduced 5.6% from 2017 baseline per their 2025 report. Full value chain mapping with active supplier engagement programme in place, though 58.7Mt remains an enormous physical footprint.

Emissions Trajectory: How does Target score?

Scope 1+2 absolute emissions reduced 41.3% from 2017 baseline by FY2024, which is meaningful progress toward the 55% by 2030 target. However, Scope 3 emissions — representing ~95% of total footprint — have only fallen 5.6% from 2017, far short of the 32.5% target by 2030. With total emissions still over 60Mt, the planet is experiencing only marginal net improvement. The Scope 1+2 trajectory is strong but the Scope 3 lag is critical given it dominates the footprint. All targets are absolute, not

Energy Source: How does Target score?

76% of operational electricity sourced from renewable sources in FY2024, surpassing the 2025 goal of 60% three years early. Target is an RE100 member committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Over 580 buildings have rooftop solar installations. Joined the Renewable Thermal Collaborative in 2024. However, renewable percentage calculation includes grid-level renewable mix (not solely additive procurement), and the methodology uses a combination of RECs and grid accounting, which somewhat di

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Target score?

Target has commodity-based goals with forest products and palm oil policies that explicitly exclude conversion of HCV/HCS forest areas. Regenerative agriculture investments have supported 1,267 farms across 630,000 acres via the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol in 2024. A biodiversity strategy is being developed focused on five drivers of nature loss. However, there is no TNFD-aligned disclosure, no quantified nature footprint, and no third-party verification of deforestation-free supply chain commitm

Resource Use & Waste: How does Target score?

Target diverted 87% of operational waste from landfill in FY2024 and 53% of construction waste. Achieved 55% reduction in operational food waste from 2017 baseline. One facility has TRUE Zero Waste certification. Recycled 15.5 million pounds of material through car seat trade-in events in 2024. Universal Thread and Everspring brands designed for circularity with recycled post-consumer textile fibers. Goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030 and 100% recyclable/reusable/compostable packaging by 202

Water Impact: How does Target score?

Target annually uses the WRI Aqueduct tool to assess water risk for domestic and international facilities. Supply chain constitutes 99% of overall water use (primarily food & beverage, essentials, home goods). ZDHC wastewater standards applied to supply chain facilities (63% at foundational level, 48% progressive). Stormwater management programmes and smart salting training implemented. Partnered with The Nature Conservancy on water quality in Nebraska. However, no quantified water footprint wit

Targets & Commitments: How does Target score?

SBTi near-term targets validated in 2019, updated in 2023 to align with Corporate Net-Zero Standard. Scope 1+2: 55% absolute reduction by 2030 (1.5°C aligned). Scope 3: 32.5% absolute reduction by 2030 (well-below 2°C aligned). Net zero by 2040 across all scopes. Currently seeking SBTi approval of updated targets. All targets are absolute, not intensity-based. Reduction-first approach with no evidence of heavy offset reliance. No offsets are used to claim progress against near-term targets. Memb

Transparency & Accountability: How does Target score?

Annual Sustainability and Governance Report published since 2012, with a separate detailed data appendix. Reporting aligned to GRI, SASB, TCFD, and ISSB frameworks. Independent third-party verification of GHG emissions. Governance & Sustainability Committee at board level. Dedicated VP and Head of Enterprise Sustainability (Agata Ramallo Garcia). Trade association memberships and lobbying expenditures publicly disclosed with dollar amounts. CDP Climate Questionnaire completed annually. However,

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Target score?

Starting at 8. Deduct 2 for the 'Target Clean' greenwashing lawsuit (product labelling, not climate claims) — a federal court denied Target's motion to dismiss in September 2024, meaning credible greenwashing allegations are proceeding (though unresolved and specific to beauty product labelling, not climate strategy). The ESG backlash securities lawsuit was politically motivated and comparable lawsuits were dismissed. Target's lobbying ($2.76M in 2024 per OpenSecrets, plus $3.08M in trade associ

Target Sustainability Score: 34/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Target·Retail (non-fashion)·Minneapolis, Minnesota·Founded 1976·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review

Target reports comprehensive climate data with strong Scope 1+2 progress (41% reduction) but Scope 3 lags critically at only 5.6% reduction against a 32.5% target. Renewable energy reaches 76%, yet the company's 58.7Mt Scope 3 footprint remains enormous. Nature and water impacts lack quantified targets and third-party verification despite massive supply chain exposure.

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

Retail (non-fashion) sector ceiling.

48 / 100

Performance score

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

61 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 48) + (0.7 × 61) = 57.1

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

34 / 100

The ten questions

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

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (4/10, 4/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

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

[1]Self-reported

Target Corporate Sustainability & Governance — Climate

Ongoing

Q1Q2Q3Q4Q5Q8

View →

[2]Third-party verified

Statista — Direct GHG emissions of Target by source

Unknown

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[3]Third-party verified

Ditch Carbon — Target organizational profile

Unknown

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[4]Self-reported

Target News & Features — 2025 Sustainability Governance Report

2025

Q3Q6

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[5]Self-reported

Target Corporate Sustainability — Strategy Target Forward

Ongoing

Q4Q6

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[6]Self-reported

Target Corporate Sustainability — Responsible Resource Use

Ongoing

View →

[7]Self-reported

Target Corporate Sustainability — Water

Ongoing

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[8]Self-reported

Target Corporate Sustainability — Climate Policy

Ongoing

View →

[9]Self-reported

Target Corporate Sustainability — Reporting Progress

Ongoing

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[10]Self-reported

Target Corporate — Public Policy & Civic Engagement

Ongoing

Q9Q10

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[11]Public record

National Law Review — Minnesota federal court greenwashing ruling

2024

Q10

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If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.

Target in context

Where Target sits among retail (non-fashion) peers.

Among the 42 major retail (non-fashion) brands we've scored, Target sits 31st of 42.

31/42

Target's rank

Industry average

Industry low

Industry high

6John Lewis Partnership

7ALDI SOUTH Group

8B&Q

9Argos

10Selfridges

11Lidl

12Currys

14Wickes

21IKEA

22TK Maxx

23Harrods

24Specsavers

25Superdrug Stores

26Wm Morrison Supermarkets

28Boots

31Target

33ASDA

37Sports Direct (Frasers Group plc)

40Walmart

How this score has moved

Target's score over time.

Score history begins 4 April 2026.

As Target's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.

We're backfilling historical scores for FTSE 100 and S&P 100 companies over the coming weeks.

What's being contested

This score is not currently being contested.

Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.

No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.

About Target

Target is a US-based general merchandise retailer operating over 1,900 stores, selling apparel, household goods, food, and beauty products. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Minneapolis, it ranks among the largest retailers in North America by revenue and operates a complex global supply chain.

Founded

1976

Headquarters

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Employees

~440,000

Annual revenue

~$107B

Company website ↗

Check the competitors

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Retail (non-fashion)

Walmart

Largest US general merchandise competitor with comparable supply chain scale and carbon disclosure maturity

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E-commerce / Online Retail

Amazon.com

Peer on Scope 1+2 decarbonization trajectory but larger Scope 3 footprint; Climate Pledge signatory

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Retail (non-fashion)

Costco Wholesale

Comparable North American retailer with similar waste diversion and supply chain complexity

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Retail (non-fashion)

J Sainsbury

International retailer with stronger nature/biodiversity integration but weaker absolute emissions trajectory

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