McCain Foods, a global leader in the frozen food industry, is headquartered in Canada and operates extensively across North America, Europe, and Asia. Founded in 1957, the company has established itself as a pioneer in the production of frozen potato products, including French fries, wedges, and specialty items. With a commitment to quality and innovation, McCain Foods stands out for its use of locally sourced ingredients and sustainable farming practices. The company has achieved significant milestones, including the introduction of various plant-based offerings, catering to the evolving consumer preferences for healthier options. Recognised for its market leadership, McCain Foods continues to expand its product range while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and community engagement, solidifying its position as a trusted name in the frozen food sector.
How does Mccain Foods'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.
Mccain Foods's score of 37 is higher than 65% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, McCain Foods reported total Scope 1 and 2 emissions of approximately 1,270,829,000 kg CO2e. This represents a slight decrease from 2023, where emissions were about 1,307,650,000 kg CO2e. The company has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% and Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by 60% by 2030, using a 2017 baseline. Additionally, McCain Foods targets a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions intensity over the same period. The company has also committed to increasing its annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 1.5% in FY2019 to 100% by FY2030. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which has validated McCain Foods' goals as consistent with the reductions required to limit global warming to 1.5°C. In terms of emissions intensity, McCain Foods reported a GHG emissions intensity of 247 kg CO2e per tonne of finished product for 2024, and 262 kg CO2e per tonne for 2023. For raw potatoes, the GHG emissions intensity was 132 kg CO2e per tonne in 2024 and 136 kg CO2e per tonne in 2023. Overall, McCain Foods is actively working towards significant reductions in its carbon footprint, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and climate action within the food and beverage processing sector.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 868,992,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Scope 2 | 528,809,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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.
Mccain Foods 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 Mccain Foods's sustainability data and climate commitments