Yum China Holdings, Inc., a prominent player in the fast-food industry, is headquartered in Shanghai, CN. Established in 2016 as a spin-off from Yum! Brands, the company operates a diverse portfolio of well-known brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, primarily across mainland China. With a focus on innovative dining experiences and localised menu offerings, Yum China has successfully adapted global concepts to cater to Chinese tastes. The company has achieved significant milestones, such as becoming the largest restaurant chain in China by sales, reflecting its strong market position. Yum China's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, combined with its extensive network of over 10,000 restaurants, underscores its unique approach in the competitive landscape of the fast-food sector.
How does Yum China'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 Hospitality 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.
Yum China's score of 51 is higher than 72% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Yum China reported total carbon emissions of approximately 12,492,861,000 kg CO2e. This includes Scope 1 emissions of about 220,101,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 2,036,762,000 kg CO2e (market-based), and significant Scope 3 emissions of around 10,235,998,000 kg CO2e. The company has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by 2035, using 2020 as the baseline year. Additionally, Yum China targets a 66.3% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods per tonne by the same year. In 2023, Yum China's emissions were approximately 10,102,062,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 at about 187,156,000 kg CO2e and Scope 2 at approximately 2,020,460,000 kg CO2e (market-based). The company has consistently disclosed emissions data across all relevant scopes, demonstrating transparency in its sustainability efforts. Yum China's climate initiatives are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), reinforcing its commitment to reducing emissions in line with global climate goals. The company is actively working towards these targets, reflecting its dedication to sustainability within the fast-food industry.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 1,925,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Yum China's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 1% last year and increased by approximately 43% since 2020, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. The vast majority of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing the vast majority of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 75% 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.
Yum China 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 Yum China's sustainability data and climate commitments