Universal
Universal Corporation, often referred to simply as Universal, is a leading player in the global tobacco industry, headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1886, the company has established a strong presence in key operational regions, including North America, South America, and Africa. Specialising in the sourcing, processing, and marketing of tobacco and tobacco-related products, Universal is renowned for its commitment to quality and sustainability. The company’s core offerings include leaf tobacco, which is distinguished by its superior quality and traceability. With a robust market position, Universal has achieved notable milestones, including significant advancements in sustainable agricultural practices. As a trusted partner to manufacturers worldwide, Universal continues to shape the future of the tobacco industry through innovation and responsible stewardship.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Universal'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 Tobacco Products 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
Universal's score of 56 is higher than 98% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Universal's reported carbon emissions
In 2023, Universal Corporation reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 145,816,000 kg CO2e, comprising 95,448,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 and 49,868,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2. The company has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by 2030, using 2020 as the base year. Additionally, Universal Corporation plans to cut Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services by the same percentage within the same timeframe. In 2024, emissions increased to about 156,216,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at 108,983,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at 47,233,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions significantly higher at 725,386,000 kg CO2e. This highlights the ongoing challenge of managing emissions across all scopes, particularly Scope 3, which often represents the largest share of a company's carbon footprint. Universal Corporation's targets align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are classified as "Well-below 2°C," indicating their commitment to significant reductions in line with global climate goals. The company is also committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, further underscoring its dedication to sustainability and climate action.
Unlock detailed emissions data
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
Add to project| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 114,537,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 48,349,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | - | 000,000,000 |
Industry emissions intensity
Location emissions intensity
Reduction initiatives & disclosure networks
Companies disclose and commit to reducing emissions to show they are serious about reducing emissions impact over time. They can also help a company track its progress over time.
Universal is committed to some reduction initiatives we track. This may change over time as the company engages with new initiatives or updates its commitments. DitchCarbon will update this information as it becomes available.
