Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Abel & Cole score?

Abel & Cole has measured Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019 using Compare Your Footprint software and Green Element consultancy, following GHG Protocol methodology. Their 2020 baseline was 3,065 tonnes CO₂e for Scope 1 and 2 combined. They report a 34% reduction in Scope 1 since 2021 (1,553 tonnes). While multi-year tracking and methodology are solid, no evidence of independent third-party verification (limited assurance) was found — the data is consultant-assisted but self-reported, preventing

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Abel & Cole score?

Abel & Cole measures full Scope 3 emissions including purchased goods and services (food and drink — their largest hotspot), freight, packaging, employee commuting, water, waste, and digital emissions. The 2020 Scope 3 baseline was 37,426 tonnes CO₂e. They work with Mondra for product-level lifecycle assessments covering carbon, water, pollution, and biodiversity across 87+ product lines. They engage suppliers via the Soil Association Exchange and Future Farming Fund. This represents strong valu

Emissions Trajectory: How does Abel & Cole score?

In 2022, Abel & Cole reduced total emissions by 7,939 tonnes (343t Scope 1, 52t Scope 2, 7,544t Scope 3), and Scope 1 has fallen 34% since 2021. This shows real year-on-year absolute reductions across scopes. However, the Scope 3 target is intensity-based (53.5% per tonne of sold product by 2030), not absolute — they only commit that S3 will not exceed the baseline. This intensity framing for the company's largest emission source (>90% of total) limits the score. Evidence of absolute reduction i

Energy Source: How does Abel & Cole score?

Abel & Cole has switched its energy supply to renewable resources and plans on-site solar panels as a long-term goal. They have converted 100% of HGVs and 28% of delivery vans to HVO biofuel (90% lower CO₂ than diesel) and are introducing electric delivery vans, targeting electric-only city centre deliveries by 2028. Air source heat pumps replace gas heating. While commendable, there is no confirmed percentage of total energy from renewables or evidence of RE100 membership/certified green tariff

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Abel & Cole score?

Abel & Cole's core business model is built around organic farming, which by the Soil Association's data supports 30% more biodiversity than conventional farms. They use eco-labels measuring biodiversity impact on 87+ product lines via Mondra and Foundation Earth. Their suppliers avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, use crop rotation and integrated pest management, plant edge habitats and restore wetlands. They undertake farm-level assessments via the Soil Association Exchange and fund dec

Resource Use & Waste: How does Abel & Cole score?

Abel & Cole operates a strong circular model: returnable cardboard boxes, Club Zero refillable packaging (~100 SKUs), plastic collection from customers for specialist UK recycling, WoolCool reusable insulation, and 75% less plastic than major supermarkets. They partner with WRAP on food waste monitoring and achieved a 50% reduction in food waste since 2021. Unsold food is redirected via City Harvest and The Felix Project, with remainder going to animal feed or compressed natural gas. They have s

Water Impact: How does Abel & Cole score?

Abel & Cole tracks water consumption through the Compare Your Footprint software and includes water usage and water pollution in its eco-labels for products via Mondra. This demonstrates awareness and monitoring beyond basic compliance. However, no specific water consumption figures, reduction targets, or water stewardship programmes are publicly disclosed. Organic farming inherently reduces water pollution through avoidance of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. The company has moderate water

Targets & Commitments: How does Abel & Cole score?

Abel & Cole validated near-term SBTi targets in 2022: 50% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 (from 2020 baseline of 3,065t CO₂e), and 53.5% intensity reduction in Scope 3 per tonne of sold product by 2030. The S1&S2 target is absolute and aligned with 1.5°C. However, the S3 target is intensity-based (per tonne of sold product), which is a weaker commitment — they only pledge that absolute S3 will not exceed baseline. Carbon neutral status via offsetting (One Carbon World) for S1&S2 is s

Transparency & Accountability: How does Abel & Cole score?

Abel & Cole is a certified B Corp with an overall score of 113.0 (median 50.9). They publish an annual Sustainability Report and 2022 Impact Report. They have a dedicated Head of Sustainability, a sustainability KPI scorecard presented to the board monthly, and a Sustainability and Ethics Advisor role. They use Compare Your Footprint software for carbon accounting and publicly disclose their carbon methodology, targets, and progress. B Corp certification provides third-party accountability. Howe

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Abel & Cole score?

Starting at 8. In March/April 2026, charity Foodrise accused Abel & Cole of greenwashing over its switch to land-based farmed salmon, alleging the company's website misleadingly described it as a 'trailblazing alternative' and 'even better solution than organic'. The complaint was endorsed by 22 organisations including Greenpeace Africa. Abel & Cole defended its decision as moving away from open-net sea-farmed salmon due to biodiversity and welfare concerns. This is a credible NGO criticism that

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Abel & Cole Sustainability Score: 56/100

◌ Pending Review

🥬 E-commerce / Online RetailGBMaking progress

~573 employees~£82M revenueRanked #28 of 503Website ↗

Abel & Cole is a e-commerce / online retail company headquartered in GB. Based on our 10-question rubric, Abel & Cole scores 56/100 — rated as making progress on sustainability but with room to improve.

SINK Score Breakdown

How we calculated Abel & Cole's score using our formula: (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale Penalty

Base Impact

E-commerce / Online Retail industry ceiling

Performance

63/100

10 questions scored below

Scale Penalty

emissions volume multiplier

SINK Score

(0.3 × 40 + 0.7 × 63) × 1 = 56

10-Question Rubric Breakdown

Click any question to see the reasoning, sources and community challenges.

7/10

Carbon Footprint — Operations

7/10

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain

5/10

Emissions Trajectory

5/10

Energy Source

7/10

Nature & Biodiversity Impact

7/10

Resource Use & Waste

5/10

Water Impact

7/10

Targets & Commitments

7/10

Transparency & Accountability

Q10

6/10

Controversies & Red Flags

Community Verification

0 verifications · 0 challenges · Scored using SINK editorial review

Last scored: 4 Apr 2026

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