Cargill Sustainability Profile
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.
DitchCarbon Score
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.
Industry Average
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.
Industry Benchmark
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.
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Cargill's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Cargill reported total Scope 1 emissions of approximately 6,390,000,000 kg CO2e. In 2023, their emissions were slightly higher at about 6,394,038,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, alongside Scope 2 emissions of approximately 3,751,339,000 kg CO2e (market-based) and 3,920,307,000 kg CO2e (location-based). The company has not disclosed Scope 3 emissions for 2024 but reported significant figures in 2023, including approximately 172,832,979,000 kg CO2e for purchased goods and services. Cargill has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% by 2025, using a 2017 baseline. They also target a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions per ton of product sold by 2030. As of 2023, Cargill has exceeded its goal, achieving a 15.8% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to the 2017 baseline. The company is committed to achieving net zero emissions for its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect Cargill's ongoing efforts to address climate change and reduce its carbon footprint across its operations.
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| 2017 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 7,289,057,000 | 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 | - |
How Carbon Intensive is Cargill's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Cargill's Location?
Cargill's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
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.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Cargill's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cargill's sustainability data and climate commitments