Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Walmart score?

Walmart reports full Scope 1 (9.03 Mt) and Scope 2 market-based (6.61 Mt) for 2024, following GHG Protocol methodology with limited third-party assurance. Granular breakdown by source is provided (refrigerants at 57% of Scope 1, transport at 24.9%). Multi-year tracking since 2015 baseline. However, Scope 1 has risen 45% since 2019, which limits the score. Verified and granular but trend is negative.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Walmart score?

Walmart reported Scope 3 emissions of 636.6 Mt CO2e for 2024 but has not published a category-level breakdown, limiting visibility into specific value chain sources. Project Gigaton engages 5,900+ suppliers representing 75% of net sales, and the company reports cumulative avoided emissions exceeding 1 billion tonnes. However, Planet Tracker has flagged the 'avoided emissions' framing as carrying greenwashing risk, and actual Scope 3 rose 5.3% between 2022-2023. Supplier engagement is significant

Emissions Trajectory: How does Walmart score?

Walmart's absolute Scope 1+2 emissions rose 3.9% in 2023 and 1.1% in 2024. Scope 3 rose 5.3% between 2022-2023. Total emissions reached approximately 655 Mt in 2024, a 1.83% increase year-over-year. While intensity fell 47.4% since 2015, absolute emissions are rising. The company admits it will miss its 2025 (35% reduction) and 2030 (65% reduction) targets, having achieved only ~18% reduction from its 2015 Scope 1+2 baseline. Scope 1 has increased 45% since 2019. Per SINK rules, intensity improv

Energy Source: How does Walmart score?

In 2024, 48.5% of global electricity was supplied by renewable sources, with 30.6% through direct renewable energy contracts. Walmart has a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2035 and has signed PPAs for over 2 GW, with commitments to enable 10 GW by 2030. Over 600 on-site and off-site renewable energy projects are in operation or under development across 10+ countries. However, at 48.5% renewable, Walmart is still below the halfway mark on contracted renewables (30.6% vs. total 48.5%, with the re

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Walmart score?

Walmart has set a goal to conserve, restore, or more sustainably manage 50 million acres of land and 1 million square miles of ocean, developed with Conservation International. It has sustainable commodity sourcing goals for 20 key commodities (palm oil, beef, soy, coffee, etc.) and works with TNC and WWF on biodiversity. However, Civil Eats and Mighty Earth have documented that key suppliers like Cargill remain linked to significant deforestation. Walmart's multiple deforestation commitments si

Resource Use & Waste: How does Walmart score?

Walmart has packaging reduction targets (82% of private brand packaging designed for recyclability) and aspires to transition from a linear take-make-dispose model. It reports reducing plastic packaging intensity per dollar of sales. However, the company admits it is unlikely to meet 2025 plastic and recycling targets. Greenpeace has challenged the recyclability claims of Walmart private-label packaging. Waste programs exist but measurable circular economy targets with verified progress are limi

Water Impact: How does Walmart score?

Walmart has had multiple Clean Water Act settlements historically, including $3.1M in 2004 and $1M for storm water violations at construction sites. The company has made commitments to reduce water use in operations but has not set targets for its supply chain. Its supply chain includes highly water-intensive products (cotton, agriculture, meat). The FY2025 ESG report mentions water stewardship as a priority but quantified water footprint data with reduction targets and verification is not publi

Targets & Commitments: How does Walmart score?

Walmart has SBTi-validated near-term targets (Scope 1+2: 35% by 2025, 65% by 2030 from 2015 baseline) and a zero operational emissions target by 2040. The company states it will not rely on carbon offsets. However, its net-zero commitment was removed by SBTi in 2024 for missing the validation deadline. It is missing both its 2025 and 2030 targets, having achieved only 18.1% reduction vs. 35% target. Scope 3 targets rely on the Project Gigaton 'avoided emissions' framework rather than formal abso

Transparency & Accountability: How does Walmart score?

Walmart publishes an annual ESG report (FY2025, 113 pages), submits CDP Climate Change responses, and reports to multiple frameworks. It has a dedicated Chief Sustainability Officer (Kathleen McLaughlin) who reports to the executive leadership team and the Board's Nominating and Governance Committee. Limited third-party assurance on emissions data is provided. The company has publicly acknowledged it will miss its targets, showing some transparency. However, the Church of England Pensions Board

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Walmart score?

Starting at 8: FTC $3M fine for deceptive bamboo/rayon marketing in 2022 (upheld regulatory action, -2). Multiple historical Clean Water Act settlements totaling $8M+ (-1). Greenpeace recyclability lawsuit dismissed on standing (no deduction). CEO Doug McMillon sits on Business Roundtable board, which has opposed climate provisions in the IRA and fought SEC climate disclosure rules (-1). ClimateVoice's 2025 scorecard names Walmart among companies whose trade group lobbying contradicts sustainabi

Walmart Sustainability Score: 27/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Walmart·Retail (non-fashion)·Bentonville, Arkansas, US·Founded 1962·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Significant gapsPending Review-4 since last review

Walmart's sustainability record shows rising absolute emissions across all scopes despite intensity improvements, missed 2025 and 2030 targets, and supply chain accountability gaps. Renewable energy remains below 50%, deforestation commitments lack verified delivery, and trade group lobbying contradicts climate claims. Scale and performance trajectory are heading backward.

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.

44 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 48) + (0.7 × 44) = 45.2

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Significant gaps.

27 / 100

The ten questions

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

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Transparency & Accountability (7/10, 6/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Water Impact (2/10, 3/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

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

[1]Self-reported

FY2025 Walmart ESG Report

2025

Q1Q6Q9

Every score shows its working.

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

Every document used, listed.

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

Walmart'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.