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.
-11 vs industry average
Costco Wholesale’s score of 24 is lower than 49% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Industry Intensity
Retail Trade Services has below-average carbon intensity
Industry performance
The Retail Trade Services industry has reduced its overall emissions by 42% since 2019
Emissions trajectory 2020 – 2027
Reported emissions
Scope 3 accounts for ••• of total emissions.
Costco Wholesale's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Costco Wholesale reported approximately 673 million kg CO2e in Scope 1 emissions, primarily from fugitive emissions. This marks an increase from 613.6 million kg CO2e in 2023. The company has not disclosed Scope 2 or Scope 3 emissions data for these years, indicating a lack of comprehensive reporting in these areas. Costco's total emissions for 2021 were approximately 157.9 million kg CO2e, which included 1.2 billion kg CO2e from Scope 1, 1.4 billion kg CO2e from Scope 2, and about 155.3 billion kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. This data reflects a significant reliance on Scope 3 emissions, which encompass indirect emissions from the supply chain and product use. Despite the increase in Scope 1 emissions, Costco has not set specific reduction targets or initiatives, as indicated by the absence of documented reduction targets or climate pledges. The company’s emissions data is self-reported and does not appear to be cascaded from any parent organisation. Overall, while Costco has made strides in emissions reporting, the lack of comprehensive data and reduction commitments highlights an area for potential improvement in their climate strategy.
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Costco Wholesale’s Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
No climate goals have been disclosed for Costco Wholesale yet.
Scope 3 top emissions categories
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Climate initiatives

Science Based Targets Initiative

Carbon Disclosure Project
The Climate Pledge
UN Global Compact Climate Champions initiative
RE 100
Climate Action 100
Emissions comparison with industry peers
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