Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney reports Scope 1 (~1,080 Kt in FY2023, ~921 Kt in FY2024) and Scope 2 market-based (~727 Kt in FY2023, ~573 Kt in FY2024) emissions following GHG Protocol methodology. Data was submitted and validated through the SBTi process in 2023 with third-party verification. Multi-year tracking is publicly available with granular breakdown by scope. However, total Scope 1+2 remains substantial at ~1.5M tonnes in FY2024 — this is a physically large footprint driven by theme parks, cruise ships, and re

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney has quantified Scope 3 emissions across 8 of 15 GHG Protocol categories, reporting ~10.8 billion kg CO₂e (10.8 Mt) for FY2023 with a 2019 baseline of 9.08 Mt. Purchased goods and services represents 57% of Scope 3. The company has initiated supplier engagement, committing that 20% of suppliers by emissions will have SBTi targets by FY2027. However, Scope 3 calculations rely heavily on estimated and extrapolated data using third-party emission databases and industry averages, as acknowledg

Emissions Trajectory: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney's Scope 1+2 emissions rose from FY2022 to FY2023 (to 1.72 Mt), then declined in FY2024 to ~1.49 Mt. Against the 2019 baseline of 1.81 Mt, Disney has achieved approximately 37.8% of its planned 46.2% reduction. However, Scope 3 emissions have INCREASED approximately 17% since the 2019 baseline, exceeding the baseline level and placing the company well behind its 27.5% reduction target. Per rubric rules, this score is capped at 4 because Scope 3 is rising while Scope 1&2 show improvement.

Energy Source: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney targets 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2030 and has invested in solar across multiple parks: Walt Disney World reached approximately 25% renewable electricity in FY2024 via a new 75MW solar array. Disneyland Paris has 17 hectares of solar canopies providing 17% of its energy. However, the company-wide renewable percentage remains low for a major energy consumer. Disney's net zero definition for Scope 2 relies heavily on market-based instruments including unbundled energy attribute certif

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney has a Conservation team that works on biodiversity at Disney sites globally, including 160+ acres of pollinator habitat at Walt Disney World solar arrays. The Disney Conservation Fund has invested in wildlife and nature conservation since 1995. The company partnered with Conservation International on REDD+ forest protection projects in Peru and invested in reforestation in Brazil. However, Disney has not made TNFD-aligned disclosures. IPE investigations found supplier environmental violat

Resource Use & Waste: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney generated 244,363 tonnes of operational waste in FY2023 and diverted 61% from landfills through recycling and donations. The company targets zero waste to landfill for wholly-owned parks, resorts, and cruise lines by 2030. Single-use plastic straws and polystyrene cups have been eliminated from owned parks. Over 200 plush products now use at least 50% recycled materials. Disneyland Paris donates products and implements reusable tableware. However, the sheer volume of consumer merchandise

Water Impact: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney consumes approximately 35.6 million m³ of water annually, with a significant percentage in regions with high baseline water stress. However, the company has implemented substantial water stewardship measures: Walt Disney World uses reclaimed water for 80% of irrigation and 30% of overall needs. Disneyland Paris operates its own wastewater treatment plant processing up to 3,500 m³ per day. Seven highest-impact sites globally are implementing localized watershed stewardship strategies. Shan

Targets & Commitments: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney's SBTi-validated near-term targets include reducing absolute Scope 1&2 emissions by 46.2% by 2030 from a 2019 baseline and reducing Scope 3 by 27.5% in the same timeframe. These are absolute reduction targets aligned with 1.5°C for Scope 1&2. However, Disney's net zero definition for 2030 includes carbon credits (Scope 1 + Scope 2 market-based minus carbon credits = 0), and an investigation found that 62% of Disney's retired carbon credits are from 'likely junk' projects. This reliance on

Transparency & Accountability: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Disney publishes an annual Sustainability & Social Impact Report (2024 edition available) and responds to the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire. The Board's Governance and Nominating Committee has oversight of ESG programs. The CEO approved science-based targets and the VP of Sustainability was evaluated partly on climate performance. Disney provides TCFD-aligned disclosure and a 2030 Environmental Goals White Paper. However, there is no evidence of executive compensation directly tied to emissio

Controversies & Red Flags: How does The Walt Disney Company score?

Starting at 8: Disney is a member of the US Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable, both of which have opposed climate legislation, and a senior VP sits on the board of the California Chamber of Commerce which has opposed state climate bills (-2). An investigation found that 62% of Disney's retired carbon credits came from 'likely junk' projects, raising greenwashing concerns (-1). IPE investigations found environmental violations among Disney's suspected suppliers in China, including waste

The Walt Disney Company Sustainability Score: 38/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

The Walt Disney Company·Media / Entertainment / Publishing·Burbank, California, US·Founded 1923·Last verified 22 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review

Disney reports comprehensive Scope 1&2 data verified through SBTi, but Scope 3 emissions have risen 17% since baseline while the company relies on potentially low-quality carbon credits for net-zero claims. Theme parks and cruise ships drive substantial physical footprint; renewable energy remains modest despite solar investments. Supply chain transparency gaps and trade association opposition to climate legislation compound greenwashing risk.

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

Media / Entertainment / Publishing sector ceiling.

60 / 100

Performance score

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

51 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 60) + (0.7 × 51) = 53.7

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.7

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

38 / 100

The ten questions

Where The Walt Disney Company is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Targets & Commitments (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Energy Source and Resource Use & Waste (3/10, 4/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

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

[1]Third-party verified

DitchCarbon: Disney

Unknown

Q1Q2Q3

Every score shows its working.

Where The Walt Disney Company is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where The Walt Disney Company sits among media / entertainment / publishing peers.

The Walt Disney Company'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.

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