The Hershey Company, commonly known as Hershey, is a leading American confectionery manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, the company has grown to become a global powerhouse in the chocolate and snack industry, with significant operations across North America and beyond. Hershey is renowned for its iconic chocolate bars, including the classic Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Kit Kat. These products stand out for their quality and unique flavour profiles, appealing to a diverse consumer base. Over the years, Hershey has achieved notable milestones, including the introduction of innovative products and sustainable sourcing initiatives, solidifying its position as a market leader in the confectionery sector.
How does Hershey'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 Beverage Manufacturing 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.
Hershey's score of 72 is higher than 83% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, The Hershey Company reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 6,623,403,000 kg CO2e. This includes Scope 1 emissions of about 190,984,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 53,000,000 kg CO2e (market-based), and a significant Scope 3 contribution of around 6,379,418,000 kg CO2e. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its emissions, aiming for a 50% absolute reduction in both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030, using 2018 as the baseline year. Additionally, Hershey is committed to a 25% reduction in Scope 3 emissions over the same timeframe. In 2023, Hershey's total emissions were about 7,503,635,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 at approximately 178,001,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at around 61,592,000 kg CO2e (market-based), and Scope 3 emissions reaching about 7,264,041,000 kg CO2e. The company has reported a 43% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions against the 2018 baseline, indicating progress towards its 2030 goal. Hershey's climate commitments also include a target for a deforestation and conversion-free supply chain for key commodities by December 31, 2025. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect the company's commitment to sustainable practices within the food and beverage processing sector.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 115,333,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 258,152,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
Hershey's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 12% last year and increased significantly since 2017, 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 "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 84% 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.
Hershey 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.

Common questions about Hershey's sustainability data and climate commitments