Climate

Climate change is the single biggest threat to winning the fight against hunger. The number of people at risk of hunger is predicted to increase by up to 20 percent by 2050 – a direct result of climate change. Now is the time for action, so the Behind the Brands Scorecard looks at what the big food companies say they are doing to reduce greenhouse emissions throughout their supply chains and to help farmers adapt to a changing climate.

How are the scores formed?

We assessed publicly available information on the policies and commitments of the 'Big 10' food companies towards the sourcing of agricultural commodities from developing countries. The Scorecard looks at seven themes, weighing each theme equally. The index tackles some cutting edge issues that will require rigorous debate and dialogue between companies, civil society and industry experts. Find out more...

What do the scores mean?

  1. 8 - 10Good
  2. 6 - 7Fair
  3. 4 - 5Some progress
  4. 2 - 3Poor
  5. 0 - 1Very poor

  1. Unilever

    Score
    9

    Unilever leads the scorecard on climate with the highest score (9/10) in the overall scorecard. The company has strong policies on deforestation and palm oil, guidelines for its suppliers, and is engaging governments to take action. We hope they will continue to show leadership and go even further.

    See how Unilever score on other issues

  2. Kellogg's

    Score
    8

    Kellogg has made huge improvements on climate and is now at the top of the pack with Unilever and Nestle. The company has committed to reduce all its supply chain emissions, require suppliers to publish those emissions, help smallholders adapt to a changing climate, and publicly call on peers, other industry sectors, and governments to do the same.

    See how Kellogg's score on other issues

  3. Nestlé

    Score
    8

    Nestle is rising to the climate challenge with solid policies on deforestation, palm oil, agricultural emissions, and advocacy engagement. There is still room for improvement on implementation of commitments, renewable energy goals, and setting science-based targets for emissions reductions.

    See how Nestlé score on other issues

  4. PepsiCo

    Score
    7

    In jumping up 1 point on climate, PepsiCo is in the middle of the pack on climate change. It has some good policies, especially around establishing guidance to suppliers and reporting on achieving zero deforestation. But it needs to make progress on addressing agricultural emissions, adopting science-based targets, investing in renewable energy, and building the resilience of small-scale farmers.

    See how PepsiCo score on other issues

  5. Coca Cola

    Score
    6

    A former leader on climate change, Coca-Cola is now in the middle of the pack as other companies have established stronger commitments. There is real room for improvement on issues such as developing stronger emissions reduction and renewable energy goals and in moving toward implementation on issues like tackling deforestation across commodities.

    See how Coca Cola score on other issues

  6. Danone

    Score
    6

    Danone has notable climate commitments in their palm oil supply chain and on achieving zero deforestation across commodities. But the company has a way to go in making their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions more ambitious and in providing support for farmers affected by climate impacts across their supply chains.

    See how Danone score on other issues

  7. General Mills

    Score
    6

    General Mills made a significant leap in its policies on climate change in 2014 and 2015. As one of the first food and beverage companies in the world, they have set a target to reduce emissions from agriculture and engage in meaningful calls for climate action through the company’s advocacy efforts.

    See how General Mills score on other issues

  8. Mars

    Score
    6

    Mars has aggressive policies across the board to achieve ambitious GHG reduction targets and is addressing deforestation in its value chain, as well as sourcing renewable energy. Mars also takes a leadership role in climate advocacy with the US government. The weak link is Mars’ sourcing requirements to its suppliers; if they tighten those requirements, then they could quickly rise up the scorecard for climate change.

    See how Mars score on other issues

  9. Mondelez

    Score
    5

    Mondelez no longer sits at the bottom of the scorecard on climate change because they’ve published climate commitments that are huge step in the right direction. They still have ways to go towards increasing its ambition. In particular the company needs to strengthen renewable energy goals, requirements for their suppliers, and supporting small scale farmers to build resilience.

    See how Mondelez score on other issues

  10. Associated British Foods plc

    Score
    4

    ABF has improved on climate but still has a long way to go. Some of ABF’s companies set targets to reduce emissions for themselves, but none set them for its suppliers. ABF does at least acknowledge the issue though.

    See how Associated British Foods plc score on other issues