# McDonald’s targets net zero emissions by 2050, from meat to energy
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2021-10-04
Category: NEWS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news
Meta Title: McDonald's Aims for Net Zero Emissions by 2050
Meta Description: McDonald's is aiming to reduce emissions across its supply chain and restaurants to combat climate change. Learn more about their commitment.
URL: https://financedigest.com/mcdonalds-targets-net-zero-emissions-by-2050-from-meat-to-energyhtml

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By Hilary Russ

NEW YORK (Reuters) – McDonald’s Corp on Monday set a new target to cut global greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, from the [beef](https://www.financedigest.com/global-grass-fed-beef-market-value-is-forecast-to-total-us-17-9-bn-by-2031.html) in its burgers to the light bulbs in its restaurants.

The burger chain also said it was working with the nonprofit Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to revamp its existing climate change targets. It aims to lower absolute emissions by about a third for both its suppliers and its nearly 40,000 company-run and franchised [restaurants around the world](https://www.financedigest.com/best-restaurants-in-the-world-a-foodies-guide.html "Best restaurants in the world – a foodie’s guide") by 2030.

We’re trying to send a signal to our partners, to our investors, to our suppliers, to other brands in the global community, to policymakers, that we share that vision for 2050,” McDonald’s [Chief Sustainability Officer](https://www.financedigest.com/host-analytics-appoints-chris-labruna-as-chief-revenue-officer.html "Host Analytics Appoints Chris LaBruna as Chief Revenue Officer") Jenny McColloch told Reuters in an interview.

[United Nations scientists say](https://www.financedigest.com/offshore-crews-to-strike-on-bps-north-sea-installations-says-unite.html "Offshore crews to strike on BP’s North Sea installations, says Unite") the world’s net emissions must fall to zero by 2050 to limit the rise in global temperatures to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius versus pre-industrial levels.

Net zero plans require companies to decrease [carbon dioxide emissions](https://www.financedigest.com/playground-xyz-study-finds-carbon-emissions-from-digital-ads-fall-by-63-on-average-when-measured-and-optimized-for-attention-time.html "Playground xyz study finds carbon emissions from digital ads fall by 63% on average when measured and optimized for attention time") and offset any remaining emissions using projects that capture the gas.

More than 1,000 [companies have signed](https://www.financedigest.com/french-unions-unanimously-sign-wage-agreement-with-edf-company-says.html "French unions unanimously sign wage agreement with EDF, company says") similar pledges through the UN or SBTi.

On Wednesday, funds managing nearly $30 trillion in assets called for 1,600 of the world’s most polluting [companies to set science-based emissions targets](https://www.financedigest.com/britain-toughens-up-diversity-targets-for-uk-companies.html "Britain toughens up diversity targets for UK companies"), as wildfires, droughts and floods make slowing climate change more urgent.

McDonald’s is one of the largest beef [purchasers in the world](https://www.financedigest.com/marketmind-purchasing-managers-of-the-world-diverge.html "Marketmind: Purchasing managers of the world, diverge"). Roughly 80% of its total emissions come from its [supply chain](https://www.financedigest.com/ges-investors-seek-solutions-to-renewable-energy-supply-chain-challenges.html "GE’s investors seek solutions to renewable energy, supply chain challenges"), in particular its use of beef, chicken, dairy and other proteins. It will use new guidelines from SBTi, with which it already works, to focus on cutting emissions in agriculture, land use and forestry.

Beef is a [big opportunity to help drive impact](https://www.financedigest.com/russia-could-hike-rates-in-2023-if-inflation-risks-have-big-impact-cenbank.html "Russia could hike rates in 2023 if inflation risks have big impact -cenbank") in the world with our farmers and rancher partners,” McColloch said.

McDonald’s 2050 net zero goal [includes emissions](https://www.financedigest.com/citi-pledges-to-cut-emissions-for-more-sectors-including-coal.html "Citi pledges to cut emissions for more sectors including coal") from direct sources like corporate offices and restaurants and indirect sources, particularly franchised restaurants and suppliers’ goods and services.

(Reporting by Hilary Russ; Editing by Richard Chang)


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