Cargill, Incorporated, a global leader in the agribusiness sector, is headquartered in the United States and operates extensively across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Founded in 1865, Cargill has evolved into a diversified multinational corporation, focusing on food production, agriculture, and nutrition. The company’s core offerings include grain trading, animal nutrition, and food ingredients, distinguished by their commitment to sustainability and innovation. Cargill's market position is bolstered by its extensive supply chain and a strong emphasis on quality, making it a trusted partner for farmers and food manufacturers alike. With a rich history of milestones, Cargill continues to shape the future of food and agriculture, driving advancements that benefit both the industry and consumers globally.
How does Cargill'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 Food Product 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.
Cargill's score of 54 is higher than 75% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2025, Cargill reported Scope 1 emissions of approximately 6,658,533,000 kg CO2e. This follows a slight decrease from 2024, where emissions were about 6,390,000,000 kg CO2e, and a similar figure of approximately 6,394,038,000 kg CO2e in 2023. Cargill's emissions data encompasses Scope 1, 2, and 3, with significant contributions from Scope 3 emissions, which include upstream and downstream activities. Cargill has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 10% by 2025, using a 2017 baseline. This target applies to both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Additionally, the company aims for a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions per ton of product sold by 2030, also against a 2017 baseline. As of 2023, Cargill has exceeded its goal, achieving a 15.8% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Cargill is committed to achieving net zero emissions for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2050. The company’s targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring alignment with global climate goals. Cargill's ongoing efforts reflect its dedication to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint in the food and beverage processing sector.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2017 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 7,289,057,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 4,765,719,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | - | - |
| Scope 3 | 168,084,620,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | - | - |
Cargill's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 3% last year and increased by approximately 41% since 2017, 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 73% 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.
Cargill 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 Cargill's sustainability data and climate commitments