Edelman Sustainability Profile
Edelman, officially known as Edelman Public Relations, is a leading global communications firm headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1952, the company has established a strong presence in major operational regions, including Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Specialising in public relations, digital marketing, and brand strategy, Edelman is renowned for its innovative approach to building trust and engagement between brands and their audiences. With a commitment to delivering unique insights and tailored solutions, Edelman offers a diverse range of services, including crisis management, media relations, and social media strategy. The firm has consistently been recognised for its market leadership, earning accolades such as the PRWeek Agency of the Year. Through its dedication to excellence and a deep understanding of the evolving communications landscape, Edelman continues to set the standard in the public relations industry.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Edelman'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 Business 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
Edelman's score of 32 is higher than 58% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Edelman's reported carbon emissions
In 2020, Edelman reported total carbon emissions of approximately 12,540,000 kg CO2e, with significant contributions from Scope 2 emissions at about 2,226,000 kg CO2e and Scope 3 emissions at approximately 9,943,000 kg CO2e, primarily from business travel, which accounted for about 9,750,000 kg CO2e. This marked a decrease from 2019, when total emissions were approximately 15,630,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 2 emissions at about 2,670,000 kg CO2e and Scope 3 emissions at approximately 12,613,000 kg CO2e, again heavily influenced by business travel at about 12,367,000 kg CO2e. Edelman has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to achieve a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, using 2019 as the baseline year. Additionally, they plan to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 90% within the same timeframe. Near-term targets include an 80% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030 and a 55% reduction in Scope 3 emissions covering purchased goods and services, fuel and energy-related activities, upstream transport and distribution, and business travel. Edelman's climate initiatives are cascaded from its parent company, Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., which is responsible for the overarching sustainability strategy. The company is committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2040. These targets align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are classified under the 1.5°C pathway, reflecting a strong commitment to climate action within the professional services sector.
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| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 289,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | - | - |
| Scope 2 | 3,473,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 12,476,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Edelman's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Edelman's Location?
Edelman's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Edelman's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 21% last year and decreased by approximately 20% since 2011, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Most of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 74% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Business Travel" representing nearly all of their reported Scope 3 footprint.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Edelman'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.
Edelman has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
