Qualcomm Incorporated, a leading global semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company, is headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1985, Qualcomm has established itself as a pioneer in wireless technology, particularly in the development of 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. With major operations across North America, Europe, and Asia, the company focuses on mobile communications, automotive technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Qualcomm's core products include chipsets, software, and services that power smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices. Its Snapdragon processors are renowned for their performance and efficiency, setting industry standards. As a key player in the mobile industry, Qualcomm holds a significant market position, consistently driving innovation and contributing to advancements in wireless communication. Notable achievements include its pivotal role in the rollout of 5G technology, which has transformed connectivity worldwide.
How does Qualcomm'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 Electrical Machinery 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.
Qualcomm's score of 100 is higher than 100% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Qualcomm reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 4,000,000,000 kg CO2e, with significant contributions from Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions. Specifically, Scope 1 emissions were about 84,465,000 kg CO2e, while Scope 2 emissions amounted to approximately 111,157,000 kg CO2e (market-based) and 300,408,000 kg CO2e (location-based). The majority of emissions stemmed from Scope 3, totalling around 3,935,138,000 kg CO2e, which includes categories such as purchased goods and services (approximately 2,779,307,000 kg CO2e) and use of sold products (about 947,032,000 kg CO2e). Qualcomm has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to achieve net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2040. This long-term target is complemented by near-term goals to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2020 baseline. Additionally, the company aims to cut absolute Scope 3 emissions by 25% within the same timeframe. These targets align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which has validated Qualcomm's commitment to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 90% by 2040 from a 2020 base year. Qualcomm's emissions data and climate commitments reflect its proactive approach to sustainability, positioning the company as a leader in the semiconductor industry in addressing climate change.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 63,301,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 50,591,000 | 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 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | 00,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
Qualcomm's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 22% last year and increased significantly since 2015, 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 71% 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.
Qualcomm 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 Qualcomm's sustainability data and climate commitments