Costco Wholesale Sustainability Profile
Costco Wholesale Corporation, commonly known as Costco, is a leading membership-only warehouse club headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1983, Costco has established a significant presence across North America, Europe, and Asia, offering a diverse range of products and services. The company operates in the retail industry, primarily focusing on bulk merchandise, groceries, electronics, and household goods. What sets Costco apart is its commitment to providing high-quality products at competitive prices, often through exclusive private-label brands like Kirkland Signature. With over 800 locations worldwide, Costco has garnered a loyal customer base, making it one of the largest retailers globally. Notable achievements include consistently ranking among the top retailers in the Fortune 500, reflecting its strong market position and dedication to customer satisfaction.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Costco Wholesale's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Retail Trade Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
Costco Wholesale's score of 34 is higher than 56% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Costco Wholesale's reported carbon emissions
In 2023, Costco Wholesale reported significant carbon emissions, with a total of approximately 168,967,000 kg CO2e attributed to Scope 3 emissions, specifically from waste generated in operations. This follows a total emission figure of about 174,055,286,000 kg CO2e in 2022, which included Scope 1 emissions of approximately 1,405,640,000 kg CO2e and Scope 2 emissions of about 1,418,244,000 kg CO2e. The Scope 3 emissions for 2022 were notably high at approximately 171,274,463,000 kg CO2e, primarily from fuel and energy-related activities. Costco has not publicly disclosed specific reduction targets or initiatives as part of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or other climate pledges. However, the company is actively engaged in sustainability efforts, as indicated by its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. The emissions data is sourced directly from Costco Wholesale Corporation, with no cascaded data from a parent or related organization. Overall, Costco's emissions profile highlights the challenges faced by large retailers in managing their carbon footprint, particularly in Scope 3 categories, which often represent the majority of total emissions. The company continues to explore strategies to enhance its sustainability practices and reduce its environmental impact.
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| 2007 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 214,188,000 | - | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | - |
| Scope 2 | 1,125,863,000 | - | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | - |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Costco Wholesale's Industry?
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Costco Wholesale's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Costco Wholesale's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 100% last year and decreased by approximately 100% since 2020, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Waste Generated in Operations" representing nearly all of their reported Scope 3 footprint.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Costco Wholesale's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Costco Wholesale has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
