How McCormick is Achieving Our Goal of Becoming a Net-Zero Business by 2050
McCormick’s commitment to Purpose-led Performance includes goals to limit our impact on the environment by reducing our carbon footprint. In 2022, we announced our long-term target to become a net-zero business by 2050. We’re excited to share that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a non-governmental organization that validates greenhouse gas reduction goals to ensure they are in line with the latest climate science, has approved our long-term net-zero target. In 2022, the Company also had its near-term emission reduction targets approved by SBTi, a 42% absolute reduction across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2030.
Net-zero emissions means reducing greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with all remaining emissions being taken out of the atmosphere via credible methods, in line with SBTi guidance.
To achieve our net-zero goal, McCormick will deliver in the following areas:
- Driving energy efficiencies through investment in green buildings, upgrading to high-efficiency equipment and electrifying operations, among others.
- Transitioning to renewable energy in our global operations.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from waste through waste recovery and recycling.
- Strengthening value chain engagement through industry-wide collaborations to support suppliers and customers in reducing their emissions.
- Implementing regenerative agriculture initiatives which train smallholder farmers on soil health and climate-smart agriculture techniques.
- Reducing our carbon footprint from packaging by supporting a circular plastics economy and reducing our use of virgin plastic.
- Utilizing nature-based solutions for the small percentage of emissions which we are unable to eliminate, in line with SBTi guidelines.
While we have an ambitious agenda to achieve net-zero, we know that we can’t do it alone. Over 95% of McCormick’s carbon footprint is from Scope 3 emissions, meaning those that are outside of the Company’s direct control, therefore collaborating across the industry to share best practices and inviting other partners to join our journey is essential to achieving net-zero. McCormick is a cofounding member of the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (S-LoCT), a collaboration of more than 20 brands to support suppliers in reducing emissions. The program is designed to mobilize collective climate action by providing suppliers with resources, tools, and knowledge to support their own climate journeys.
To learn more about S-LoCT and other programs supporting our journey to net-zero, please visit our Net-Zero section.