IBM, or International Business Machines Corporation, is a leading technology and consulting company headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1911, IBM has evolved significantly, marking key milestones such as the development of the first mainframe computer and pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence with Watson. Operating globally, IBM focuses on various sectors, including cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity, with a strong emphasis on hybrid cloud solutions through its acquisition of Red Hat. The company is renowned for its innovative products and services, which are designed to enhance business efficiency and drive digital transformation. With a robust market position, IBM consistently ranks among the top technology firms, recognised for its commitment to research and development, holding numerous patents and accolades in the industry.
How does Ibm'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 Computer 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.
Ibm's score of 68 is higher than 80% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, IBM reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 710,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 150,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (market-based), and 1,000,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3 emissions. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 65% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2025, using 2010 as the baseline. Additionally, IBM is committed to achieving net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with a target of no more than 350,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent in residual emissions. IBM's climate commitments include prioritising energy conservation and increasing the use of renewable electricity. The company has also signed the Climate Pledge, reinforcing its dedication to sustainability and climate action. These initiatives reflect IBM's proactive approach to addressing climate change and reducing its carbon footprint across all scopes of emissions.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2010 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 141,000,000 | 000,000,000 | - | - | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 1,034,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
Ibm's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 0% last year and increased by approximately 132% since 2018, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Most of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 73% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Use of Sold Products" being the largest emissions source at 51% 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.
Ibm 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 Ibm's sustainability data and climate commitments