American Express Company, commonly known as Amex, is a leading player in the financial services industry, headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1850, the company has evolved significantly, establishing itself as a premier provider of charge cards, credit cards, and travel-related services. With a strong presence in North America, Europe, and Asia, American Express is renowned for its unique rewards programmes and exceptional customer service. The company’s core offerings include personal and business credit cards, travel services, and merchant solutions, all designed to enhance customer experiences. American Express has achieved notable milestones, such as being one of the first companies to introduce a traveler's cheque. Its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has solidified its position as a trusted brand in the financial sector, making it a preferred choice for millions worldwide.
How does American Express'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 Financial Intermediation 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.
American Express's score of 87 is higher than 93% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, American Express reported total carbon emissions of approximately 1.93 billion kg CO2e, comprising 21,817,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 1,758,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and 1,901,592,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. The company has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for carbon neutrality (net zero) for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by the end of 2035. Additionally, American Express targets a 63% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030, using 2015 as a baseline, aligning with a 1.5°C pathway. For Scope 3 emissions, the company aims to reduce these by 35% by 2033 from a 2019 base year. Long-term goals include a 90% reduction in both Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050, as well as a 90% reduction in Scope 3 emissions within the same timeframe. These targets are consistent with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect American Express's commitment to sustainable practices and climate action.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 36,158,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 126,270,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 33,173,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
American Express's Scope 3 emissions, which increased significantly last year and increased significantly since 2013, 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 42% 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.
American Express 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 American Express's sustainability data and climate commitments