Accelerating Action on Climate Change: How Colgate Is Creating a More Sustainable Future

Colgate is using science-based Net Zero Targets and taking action to address climate change as part of our 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy. 

By Vance Merolla, Worldwide Director, Global Sustainability

June 2022

Colgate’s purpose is to reimagine a healthier future for all people, our pets and our planet. Achieving that future means we have an important responsibility to address climate change and its threat to disrupt every aspect of our lives—from environmental impacts like weather events, water security and biodiversity, to food supply to socioeconomic stability. 

We all have a role to play and we recognize that a more sustainable future is a priority for all of us, including our employees, customers, consumers, investors, NGOs and business partners.  Colgate has been working to address climate change for over 20 years, and we’re continuing to drive progress in new, meaningful ways. 

Accelerating Action on Climate Change is a core action of our 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy and fuels our commitment for Net Zero carbon emissions across our operations  by 2040. Our targets align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the Paris Agreement, our signing of the Business Ambition for 1.5ºC and our commitment to Recover Better, working in concert with the UN Global Compact (UNGC).

In 2022, Colgate received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence for our achievements in energy efficiency and management across our global operations. This marks the 12th consecutive year that Colgate has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy as a leader in sustainable practices.

Net Zero Carbon Transition and Targets

Underlying Colgate’s climate commitments are science-based targets focused on a Net Zero carbon transition.  In 2017, SBTi approved Colgate’s first science-based climate targets for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, which the company subsequently achieved.  In 2020, SBTi approved Colgate’s next science-based targets, and, following the release of the new SBTi Net Zero Carbon Standard in late 2021, Colgate has established additional long-term and interim climate targets for SBTi’s approval in 2022.

Our overall approach to drive our Net Zero carbon targets can be expressed in this simple graphic:

In order to achieve our Net Zero carbon targets, we are working to: 

• Reduce our carbon footprint and/or mitigate carbon emissions across our entire value chain
• Continue to identify and deploy meaningful lower carbon innovations and technologies that replace more traditional carbon-intensive processes; and
• Permanently remove the residual emissions from our value chain by 2040 per the SBTi Net Zero Standard.

Colgate’s Net Zero Carbon Targets

Colgate is committing to Net Zero carbon and other climate-related targets as follows:

By 2025, it is our goal to: 

• Reduce Scope 3 emissions from Purchased Goods and Services by 20% against a 2020 baseline 
• Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions in operations by 20% against a 2020 baseline 
• Avoid GHG emissions from consumer use by 20% against a 2016 baseline 
• Reduce manufacturing energy intensity by 25% against a 2010 baseline 

By 2030, it is our goal to: 

• Reach 100% renewable electricity in global operations 
• Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from Purchased Goods and Services by 42% against a 2020 baseline
• Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions in operations by 42% against a 2020 baseline

By 2040, it is our goal to: 

• Reach Net Zero carbon emissions across the value chain 
• Reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions* by 90% against a 2020 baseline

*excludes Scope 3 Categories 2, 9, 11 & 12 per SBTi Net Zero Standard

To help support our ambitious targets around climate action and Net Zero carbon transition, we are focusing our climate strategy on five interconnected pillars:

Supply Chain Engagement

The sourcing of our ingredients and packaging accounts for about 80% of Colgate’s Purchased Goods and Services emissions. We are working directly with our suppliers to encourage them to set science-based climate targets, assess their climate and water risks, improve their energy and water efficiency and increase their use of renewable energy. In addition, our climate engagement efforts are helping suppliers innovate to provide us with lower-emissions ingredients and packaging, as well as carbon footprint data.

Net Zero Carbon Operations 

We are committed to decarbonizing our operations to align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and we encourage every Colgate factory, logistics team, warehouse and office to do their part to help achieve this target.

A great example of how we take action in our operations is Colgate’s Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP), which helps support our target to reach 100% renewable electricity across our operations by 2030. The REMP has been informed by third-party energy experts providing intelligence on the available tactics to obtain renewable electricity at each of our locations. Additionally, we have assigned responsibility for renewable energy to our division procurement leaders, who help evaluate local RE choices around a diverse set of tactics which include: on-site solar, utility green power, verified renewable energy certificates and virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs).

Improving Product Design & Influencing Consumer Behavior

Approximately 80% of our GHG emissions are attributable to the use and disposal of our products and packaging.  Given this large proportion, our most dramatic opportunities to shrink our climate impact lie in the design of our products and influence on consumer behavior. We have committed to help avoid emissions from consumers by 20% by 2025 against a 2016 baseline. 

Designing packaging that either uses less plastic, is made with recycled content, or is recyclable, reusable or compostable often has associated carbon reduction benefits. We are proud to have developed a  first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube, which in addition to being recyclable, has a lower overall carbon footprint.  In order to drive scale and impact, we have shared the breakthrough technology with third parties and designed packaging, including our limited-edition “Recycle Me!” packaging, to inform consumers that the tube is now recyclable.  During this time of transition, acceptance of tubes at certain recycling facilities may be limited, and consumers should check with their local community facilities. Learn more at colgate.com/goodness. 

A great example of raising consumer awareness is Colgate’s “Save Water” consumer awareness campaign. Many people don’t make the connection between water use and carbon emissions. However, water and wastewater treatment systems are energy-intensive, so every drop of water saved means less energy used.