Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Visa score?

Visa reports Scope 1 (13,510 tCO₂e) and Scope 2 market-based (25 tCO₂e) for FY2024, per its 2025 CDP response and GHG Verification Statement. Third-party verification is confirmed (FY2024 GHG Verification Statement published on Visa's CRS resources page). Multi-year tracking is available back to at least 2019, with granular breakdown by location-based vs market-based Scope 2. However, Scope 1 increased 31% YoY in FY2024, preventing a top score.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Visa score?

Visa reports 613,162 tCO₂e of Scope 3 emissions for FY2024 with category-level breakdown for 5 of 15 categories. Purchased goods and services comprise over 84% of total Scope 3. Visa participates in the CDP Supply Chain program engaging leading suppliers on measuring emissions and setting targets. Supplier Code of Conduct includes environmental sustainability expectations. However, only 5 of 15 Scope 3 categories are broken down, and Scope 3 rose significantly (driving total emissions up 43.76%

Emissions Trajectory: How does Visa score?

Total emissions rose 43.76% from 2023 to 2024 (from ~487,000 to ~700,120 tCO₂e). Scope 1 increased 31.17% YoY. While Scope 2 market-based remains near zero due to renewable energy procurement, Scope 3 increased substantially. Total operational emissions (Scope 1+2) rose 12.2% YoY. With absolute total emissions rising sharply, trajectory is negative despite SBTi-validated targets. Per the rubric, emissions demonstrably rising caps this score. Scope 1 long-term trend shows only 1.54% decline since

Energy Source: How does Visa score?

Visa achieved 100% renewable electricity in 2020 as an RE100 member, covering all offices in 76 countries and four global processing centers. Scope 2 market-based emissions are near zero (25 tCO₂e in FY2024). Visa entered a multi-year agreement with MP2 Energy for solar-powered RECs for its Virginia data center, replacing unbundled RECs with project-specific solar procurement. LEED-certified buildings and energy efficiency initiatives are in place. While heavily REC-reliant, Visa is progressing

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Visa score?

As a digital payments network company, Visa has minimal direct nature/biodiversity impact — it does not manufacture products, extract resources, or operate in sensitive ecosystems. Visa's website references LEED-certified buildings and sustainable food sourcing in offices. However, no evidence was found of TNFD disclosure, biodiversity assessment, deforestation-free commitments, or formal nature-related policies. The company's indirect impact through plastic card waste is noted but Visa does not

Resource Use & Waste: How does Visa score?

Visa focuses on green building design and LEED or equivalent certifications. The company mandates at least 90% of new electronics in largest offices meet ENERGY STAR or EPEAT certification. Visa issued a green bond (the first by a digital payments network) financing energy efficiency, building construction, and water efficiency improvements. Sustainable food sourcing in office cafeterias is mentioned. However, no specific waste reduction targets, circularity metrics, or comprehensive waste data

Water Impact: How does Visa score?

Visa consumed approximately 301,000 m³ of water in 2022, with 41% in regions with high or extremely high baseline water stress. The company has piloted innovations like immersion cooling and dry mode cooling to improve water efficiency in data centers. Water efficiency improvements are funded through Visa's green bond. However, no public water reduction targets, year-on-year water data trends, or water stewardship programmes were identified. For a technology company with data centers in water-st

Targets & Commitments: How does Visa score?

Visa had near-term Scope 1, 2, and 3 targets validated by SBTi in 2022, with a 1.5°C-aligned pathway for Scope 1 and 2. Visa announced net-zero by 2040 covering direct operations and supply chain. The company maintains carbon neutrality for operations since 2020 through efficiency, 100% renewable electricity, and limited carbon offsets. Visa discloses offset usage under California's AB 1305 Voluntary Carbon Markets Disclosure Act. Reduction-first approach is evident. However, with total emission

Transparency & Accountability: How does Visa score?

Visa publishes annual CR&S reports (2024 report available), CDP responses (2025 CDP response published), GHG Verification Statements for FY2021-FY2024, Green Bond reports, and Political Engagement Reports. Reports align with GRI, SASB, TCFD/ISSB frameworks. A Chief Sustainability Officer (Douglas Sabo) oversees CR&S strategy. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certification is maintained. VP-level oversight under the Vice Chair, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer. Board-level

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Visa score?

No greenwashing lawsuits, environmental fines, regulatory actions, or significant environmental controversies were found for Visa. Visa is a member of the Business Roundtable, which has mixed climate policy positions, warranting a minor caution but no deduction given BRT's general stance is not actively anti-climate. No InfluenceMap profile specific to Visa suggesting obstructive climate lobbying was identified. Visa publishes Political Engagement Reports, providing transparency on political act

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Visa Sustainability Score: 59/100

◌ Pending Review

💳 SaaS / Digital ServicesUSMaking progress

~34,000 employees~$35.9B revenue700Kt CO₂e totalRanked #13 of 503Website ↗

Visa is a saas / digital services company headquartered in US with total reported emissions of 700Kt CO₂e per year. Based on our 10-question rubric, Visa scores 59/100 — rated as making progress on sustainability but with room to improve.

SINK Score Breakdown

How we calculated Visa's score using our formula: (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale Penalty

Base Impact

SaaS / Digital Services industry ceiling

Performance

59/100

10 questions scored below

Scale Penalty

0.95x

emissions volume multiplier

SINK Score

(0.3 × 70 + 0.7 × 59) × 0.95 = 59

Emissions Breakdown

Scope 1

14Kt

Direct emissions

Scope 2

25t

Energy (purchased)

Scope 3

613Kt

Value chain

Total

700Kt

CO₂e per year

10-Question Rubric Breakdown

Click any question to see the reasoning, sources and community challenges.

8/10

Carbon Footprint — Operations

7/10

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain

3/10

Emissions Trajectory

8/10

Energy Source

3/10

Nature & Biodiversity Impact

4/10

Resource Use & Waste

4/10

Water Impact

7/10

Targets & Commitments

7/10

Transparency & Accountability

Q10

8/10

Controversies & Red Flags

Community Verification

0 verifications · 0 challenges · Scored using SINK editorial review

Last scored: 6 Apr 2026

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