Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

ELC discloses full Scope 1 (~27,800 tCO2e) and Scope 2 market-based (~54,800 tCO2e) emissions following GHG Protocol methodology. Data is tracked multi-year with a 2018 baseline of ~62,857 tCO2e. CDP Climate Change A-List recognition for 2024 disclosure indicates third-party verification. FY2025 report shows a 37.6% reduction from 2018 baseline, with granular breakdown by source type.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

ELC quantifies multiple Scope 3 categories (~2.23 Mt CO2e in 2022), with 47% of emissions attributed to purchased goods and services per the 2024 Climate Transition Plan. The company joined CDP Supply Chain in 2021 and was the first beauty company to join Supplier LoCT in FY2022. Nine climate action workstreams cover value chain categories. However, only 3 of 15 Scope 3 categories are covered under the SBTi target, leaving significant gaps in full value chain mapping.

Emissions Trajectory: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

Scope 1 and 2 absolute emissions have declined 37.6% from a 2018 baseline, on track for the 50% by 2030 target. However, absolute total GHG emissions across all scopes increased 10% from the 2018 baseline as of FY2023. The Scope 3 target is intensity-based (per unit revenue), not absolute, which masks rising total value chain emissions. Per the rubric, capping at 4 is appropriate when Scope 3 is rising while Scope 1 and 2 improve.

Energy Source: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

ELC has sourced 100% renewable electricity for direct operations every year since FY2020, for six consecutive years through FY2025. The portfolio includes a 22MW wind VPPA (Ponderosa farm, Oklahoma), 5MW+ on-site solar capacity globally, and RECs/EACs for smaller markets. The company is an RE100 and EV100 member, transitioning its fleet to electric by 2030. However, the use of RECs in some markets and reliance on offsets for residual emissions slightly limits the score.

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

ELC has a formal No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy. It achieved 97% RSPO-certified sustainable palm-based ingredients in FY2025, exceeding its 95% goal. FSC certification for forest-based fiber packaging is targeted. The BioTech Hub in Belgium aims to produce bio-based alternatives to protect biodiversity. However, no TNFD-aligned disclosure was found, no quantified nature footprint is published, and a BBC investigation linked jasmine supply chains to child labour in Egypt

Resource Use & Waste: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

ELC diverted 99.8% of industrial waste from landfills in FY2024 and maintains zero waste to landfill commitment. 71% of packaging is recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled, or recoverable in FY2024, moving toward 75-100% by end of 2025. 20% post-consumer recycled material achieved. The Oevel Belgium facility reduced sludge waste by 3,000 tonnes annually. New 2030 target to reduce waste intensity by 10%. Refillable product programmes exist (Le Labo). However, the beauty industry inherently ge

Water Impact: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

ELC surpassed its 2025 water withdrawal reduction target, achieving a 41% reduction from a FY2019 baseline of 1.5 million cubic metres at manufacturing sites. New 2030 target set for 40% consistent reduction with expanded scope. CDP Water Security score of A- for 2024 disclosure. The Oevel Belgium facility increased water recycling from 59% to 85%, reusing 29 million litres annually. Formal water stewardship policy covers operations, supply chain, and communities. Wastewater treatment and monito

Targets & Commitments: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

SBTi validated near-term targets since 2020: 50% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 (1.5°C aligned). However, the Scope 3 target is intensity-based (60% per unit revenue), not absolute, which is a significant weakness given Scope 3 represents 95%+ of total emissions. Absolute total emissions rose 10% from 2018 baseline as of FY2023. Carbon neutrality claim for operations relies partly on forestry offsets (Massachusetts Tri-City project), not verified CDR. No net-zero validated target. S

Transparency & Accountability: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

ELC publishes annual Social Impact and Sustainability Reports and a Climate Transition Plan with progress updates. A dedicated Chief Sustainability Officer (Nancy Mahon) was appointed in 2023. Sustainability bonuses introduced for executives and non-executives. CDP Climate A-List and CDP Water A- recognition for 2024. Nine climate action workstreams with formal governance. Reports through CDP Supply Chain. Ranked #5 on 3BL 100 Best Corporate Citizens and #1 in its industry sector. However, no fo

Controversies & Red Flags: How does The Estée Lauder Companies score?

Starting at 8: In January 2026, ELC was fined CAD$750,000 by an Ontario court for PFAS violations (forever chemicals in eyeliner products), pleading guilty to two counts under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, failing to notify regulators and failing to comply with a compliance order (-2). The company was added to Canada's Environmental Offenders Registry. A BBC investigation linked ELC's jasmine supply chain to child labour in Egypt (-1). ELC is a member of the US Chamber of Commerce,

The Estée Lauder Companies Sustainability Score: 42/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

The Estée Lauder Companies·FMCG / Consumer Goods·New York City, United States·Founded 1946·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review

ELC has strong operational emissions cuts (37.6% Scope 1&2 reduction) and 100% renewable electricity since 2020, but Scope 3 targets are intensity-based, masking a 10% rise in absolute total emissions. A 2026 PFAS fine, child labour links in jasmine supply, and intensity-based targets that hide rising value chain emissions are critical weaknesses.

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

FMCG / Consumer Goods sector ceiling.

30 / 100

Performance score

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

60 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 30) + (0.7 × 60) = 51.0

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

42 / 100

The ten questions

Where The Estée Lauder Companies is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Emissions Trajectory (4/10, 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

Ditch Carbon: Estée Lauder emissions profile

Ongoing

Q1Q2

Every score shows its working.

Where The Estée Lauder Companies is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where The Estée Lauder Companies sits among fmcg / consumer goods peers.

The Estée Lauder Companies'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.