Vision & Goals
McDonalds aims to be a leader in the fastfood industry by delivering food responsibly while protecting the planet. The 20242030 Climate Action Plan sets three overarching targets:
- Cut absolute greenhousegas emissions by 36% per restaurant and 40% across the entire value chain by 2030 (base year 2015).
- Source 100% of its coffee, fish, palm oil and fiberbased packaging from verified sustainable sources by 2025.
- Achieve a 50% reduction in food waste and a 30% reduction in singleuse plastic by 2025.
The strategy is built on four pillars: Sustainable sourcing, Climate action, Circular packaging, and Community engagement.
Sustainable Sourcing
McDonalds works closely with farmers, fisheries, and suppliers to ensure that raw materials meet rigorous environmental criteria.
Coffee & Tea
All coffee is sourced through the Better Coffee Initiative, which verifies compliance with Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade standards. In 2023, 98% of coffee purchases met these standards.
Palm Oil
The company has zerodeforestation commitments and purchases palm oil only from certified sources under the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). A traceability system tracks each batch from plantation to restaurant.
Beef & Poultry
McDonalds collaborates with the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) and the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) to improve animal welfare, reduce methane emissions, and promote regenerative grazing practices.
Energy & Climate
Energy efficiency and renewable power are central to the climate pillar.
Renewable Electricity
As of 2024, more than 70% of the electricity used in U.S. restaurants comes from renewable sources, with a target of 100% by 2030.
Restaurant Design
Newbuild and remodels adopt the LEED certification framework, incorporating LED lighting, highefficiency HVAC, and smart thermostats. The green roof pilot program in selected European locations reduces stormwater runoff and improves insulation.
Transportation
McDonalds logistics fleet is transitioning to electric or hybrid trucks, aiming for a 30% electrified fleet by 2027. Supplier and distribution partners are encouraged to use lowcarbon transport options.
Packaging & Waste Reduction
Packaging is reengineered to minimize waste and increase recyclability.
FiberBased Packaging
All burger wrappers, paper bags and some cup lids are now made from 100% recycled or responsibly sourced fiber. The shift from plastic to paper reduces carbon intensity by up to 35% per unit.
Reusable Cups & Straws
In markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, customers can opt for reusable cups, which are collected, sanitized and reused up to 150 times.
Food Waste
Through partnerships with local food banks and the Food Rescue app, unsold but safe-to-eat items are diverted from landfills. Restaurants also implement lean cooking techniques that cut food preparation waste by 20%.
Recycling Infrastructure
McDonalds invests in instore recycling stations, clearly labeling bins for plastics, metals, paper and organics. In 2023, the recycling rate in participating U.S. locations reached 65%.
Community & Transparency
Transparency builds consumer trust and drives continuous improvement.
Annual Sustainability Report
Each year McDonalds publishes a detailed report that outlines progress against every target, includes thirdparty verification and provides data dashboards for public access.
Stakeholder Engagement
Regular roundtables with NGOs, academic experts and industry peers help benchmark performance and set ambitious nextstep goals.
Education Initiatives
The Green Kids program in schools teaches children about sustainable food choices, composting and water conservation. Over 1.2 million students participated globally in 2023.
