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 total carbon emissions of approximately 168,967,000 kg CO2e, all of which fall under Scope 3 emissions, specifically from waste generated in operations. This marks a significant focus on indirect emissions, as the company has not disclosed any Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions data for this year. In 2022, Costco's total emissions were approximately 174,098,347,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at about 1,405,640,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions at approximately 1,418,244,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions at around 171,274,463,000 kg CO2e. This indicates a comprehensive approach to measuring and reporting emissions across all scopes. Despite the detailed emissions reporting, Costco has not set specific reduction targets or initiatives, as indicated by the absence of documented reduction targets or SBTi commitments. The company’s climate strategy appears to be in the early stages, focusing primarily on emissions tracking rather than established reduction goals. Costco's emissions data is sourced directly from Costco Wholesale Corporation, with no cascaded data from a parent or related organization. The company continues to engage in sustainability efforts, but further clarity on reduction commitments would enhance its climate action profile.
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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?
How Carbon Intensive is Costco Wholesale's Location?
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.
