McDonald's operates 43,000+ restaurants across 100+ countries, serving fast food globally.
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McDonald's reports comprehensive climate data and holds SBTi targets, but total emissions are essentially flat. Scope 3 (99.65% of footprint) declined only 3–4% since 2018 with six years left to meet a 50% target. Beef supply chain deforestation remains unresolved despite commitments, and greenwashing accusations are documented.
McDonald's scores 27/100 (Significant gaps) on SINK's independent climate assessment, scored from public data only. Fees pay for the review, never the result. Last verified May 2026.
That places McDonald's joint 683rd of 847 companies scored, and 5th of 8 in Food & Beverage (meat/dairy).
Where McDonald's sits among food & beverage (meat/dairy) peers.
Among the 8 major food & beverage (meat/dairy) brands we've scored, McDonald's sits 5th of 8.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
Scope 3 declined only 3–4% from 2018 baseline despite 50.4% target for 2030.
As You Sow (Dec 2024) noted lack of published biodiversity impact review.
Quantified reduction targets not publicly established despite supplier pollution links.
A score changes when the evidence does. We use new published evidence at the next rescore. Evidence that isn't public can count through an evidence review.
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Get in touch →Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Targets & Commitments (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 4/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above McDonald's.
Danone has strong climate disclosure and verified emissions reductions, but greenwashing lawsuits undermine credibility.
See the breakdown →Nestlé has cut absolute emissions 18.6% since 2018 and reaches 95% renewable electricity, but relies heavily on unproven nature-based removals to hit 2030 targets.
See the breakdown →Müller UK & Ireland publishes sustainability targets but provides no verified absolute emissions data, no third-party assurance, and no SBTi validation despite claiming 2024 commitment.
See the breakdown →The formula and all 14 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale14 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
7 of 14 sources are independent of the company.
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
McDonald's operates 43,000+ restaurants across 100+ countries, serving fast food globally. Founded in 1940 and headquartered in Chicago, it is the world's largest quick-service restaurant chain by revenue, employing 200,000 people. Its business model relies heavily on beef and dairy products, making supply chain emissions a critical sustainability factor.
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