Costco Wholesale scores 24/100 (Significant gaps) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified May 2026.
That places Costco Wholesale joint 721st of 809 companies scored, and 44th of 46 in Retail (non-fashion).
Costco's sustainability record is dominated by three critical failures: Scope 3 emissions rising 9% since 2020 despite intensity claims; zero deforestation commitments across palm, beef, soy, and wood while driving boreal forest destruction via Kirkland tissue; and explicit rejection of SBTi validation. Shareholder activism, not board leadership, has forced minimal action.
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Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint — Operations (6/10, 5/10). Weakest on Nature & Biodiversity Impact and Emissions Trajectory (2/10, 2/10).
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
9 of 12 sources are third-party verified or public record.
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Where Costco Wholesale sits among retail (non-fashion) peers.
Among the 46 major retail (non-fashion) brands we've scored, Costco Wholesale sits 44th of 46.
Score history begins 4 April 2026.
As Costco Wholesale's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
This score is not currently being contested.
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No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.
Costco Wholesale is the world's largest membership-based retailer, operating 890+ warehouses globally. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, it generated $275 billion in FY2025 revenue and employs 316,000 people. The company operates a bulk-sales model and is a major vendor of fresh meat, seafood, and packaged goods.
Larger US retailer; similarly high Scope 3 emissions but ahead on renewable energy and SBTi validation.
View breakdown →US discount retailer peer; also faces deforestation and supply chain transparency criticism.
View breakdown →Major meat supplier to Costco; shares severe scope 3 emissions and deforestation risk in beef and poultry.
View breakdown →Comparable scale and Scope 3 dominance; further ahead on SBTi targets and forest commitments but still contested.
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