Darden Restaurants, Inc., a prominent player in the American dining industry, is headquartered in the United States and operates a diverse portfolio of well-known restaurant brands. Founded in 1968, Darden has established itself as a leader in casual dining, with major operational regions across North America. The company is renowned for its flagship brands, including Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, which offer unique culinary experiences that cater to a wide range of tastes. Darden's commitment to quality and guest satisfaction has earned it a strong market position, with notable achievements in customer service and innovation. The company continually adapts to changing consumer preferences, ensuring its offerings remain relevant and appealing. With a focus on fresh ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere, Darden Restaurants continues to thrive in the competitive dining landscape.
How does Darden Restaurants'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.
Mean score of companies in the Hospitality 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.
Darden Restaurants's score of 30 is higher than 56% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2025, Darden Restaurants reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 4,049,040,000 kg CO2e globally. This includes Scope 1 emissions of about 385,847,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 447,615,000 kg CO2e, and significant Scope 3 emissions totalling around 4,249,343,000 kg CO2e. The combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions amounted to about 833,462,000 kg CO2e. For the US specifically, Darden's emissions data for 2025 is not disclosed, but the Scope 1 and 2 GHG intensity per restaurant is reported at about 380,000 kg CO2e. In 2024, the global emissions were approximately 818,117,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and 2 combined, with Scope 1 emissions at about 375,763,000 kg CO2e and Scope 2 at approximately 442,354,000 kg CO2e. Darden has not set specific reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or other formal climate pledges. However, the company is actively engaged in sustainability efforts, as indicated by their emissions reporting and commitment to transparency. The emissions data is sourced directly from Darden Restaurants, Inc., with no cascaded data from a parent or related organization.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 313,827,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 470,107,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 |
The vast majority of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing the vast majority of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 68% of Scope 3 emissions.
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.
Darden Restaurants 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.
