Principal Financial Group, commonly referred to as Principal, is a leading global financial services company headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1879, Principal has established a strong presence in various operational regions, including North America, Asia, and Europe. The company operates primarily in the insurance and investment sectors, offering a diverse range of products and services such as retirement solutions, asset management, and risk management. With a commitment to innovation, Principal stands out for its tailored financial solutions that cater to both individuals and businesses. The firm has achieved significant milestones, including recognition for its sustainable investment practices and a robust market position as a trusted provider of financial security. Through its comprehensive offerings, Principal continues to empower clients to achieve their financial goals while maintaining a focus on long-term growth and stability.
How does Principal'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 Insurance 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.
Principal's score of 48 is higher than 65% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Principal Financial Group, Inc. reported significant carbon emissions from its operations in the US, totalling approximately 4,980,100 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and about 8,150,900 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (market-based). The combined total for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reached around 13,131,000 kg CO2e. Globally, the company’s emissions were approximately 5,014,800 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and about 11,931,200 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (market-based), resulting in a total of around 16,946,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and 2 combined. Principal has set ambitious carbon reduction targets, aiming for a 30% reduction in gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 location-based emissions by 2020, using 2010 as the baseline. They have exceeded their 2023 target, achieving a 46% reduction against their 2019 baseline for both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Looking ahead, Principal has established a long-term goal of reducing these emissions by 37.5% by 2035, using 2019 emissions as the new baseline. The company does not currently report Scope 3 emissions and has not committed to net-zero targets. However, it has engaged with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to align its reduction goals with climate science. All emissions data is sourced directly from Principal Financial Group, Inc., with no cascaded data from parent or related organisations.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 6,557,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 29,965,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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.
Principal 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.

Common questions about Principal's sustainability data and climate commitments