Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does PayPal score?

PayPal reports full Scope 1 (2,100 tCO₂e) and Scope 2 (8,800 tCO₂e market-based; 79,000 tCO₂e location-based) for FY2024 using GHG Protocol methodology. Data is third-party verified per PayPal's 2024 Global Impact Report. Multi-year tracking shows a declining trend, with operational emissions down 79% from the 2019 baseline of 53,200 tCO₂e. Granular breakdown by scope and methodology (market-based vs location-based) is provided.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does PayPal score?

PayPal reports Scope 3 emissions of 467,000 tCO₂e for FY2024 across 6 of 15 GHG Protocol categories. Purchased goods and services dominate (including ~80,000 tonnes from crypto-related emissions in 2023). The company engages suppliers via CDP and has an SBTi-approved supplier engagement target (75% of suppliers by spend with SBTs by 2025). However, only 45% of suppliers had climate goals as of 2023, falling short of the 75% target. Partial Scope 3 coverage (6/15 categories) limits completeness.

Emissions Trajectory: How does PayPal score?

PayPal's operational emissions (Scope 1 + 2 market-based) declined from 53,200 tCO₂e in 2019 to approximately 10,900 tCO₂e in 2024, a 79% absolute reduction. Total emissions (including Scope 3) decreased 7.46% year-on-year in FY2024 to 548,100 tCO₂e (location-based). However, Scope 3 emissions have risen 719% since 2018 due to expanded value chain accounting and crypto-related emissions, though they stabilized in 2023-2024. The company has clearly met its near-term SBTi target for Scope 1 and 2.

Energy Source: How does PayPal score?

PayPal matched 100% of data center energy use with renewable energy generation sources for the fourth consecutive year (since 2021) and 89% of total energy use with renewables as of 2023. The 2019 baseline target of 100% renewable data centers was achieved two years ahead of schedule. Market-based Scope 2 (8,800 tCO₂e) is substantially lower than location-based (79,000 tCO₂e), confirming significant renewable procurement. However, the renewable matching appears to be primarily through contractua

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does PayPal score?

As a digital payments company, PayPal's direct nature and biodiversity impact is minimal — no manufacturing, no land use, no deforestation risk in direct operations. However, no TNFD disclosure, no biodiversity policy, and no assessment of nature dependencies in operations or supply chain were found. The company's crypto-related activities have an indirect energy/nature footprint. PayPal's 2024 Global Impact Report and environmental sustainability page do not reference biodiversity or nature-rel

Resource Use & Waste: How does PayPal score?

PayPal is a digital services company with limited material footprint — no physical products manufactured or sold. The Impakter Index noted that circular economy is an area requiring more focus from PayPal. The company's reports mention waste management practices but no quantified waste data, circular economy targets, or supplier sustainability requirements related to materials were found. Office waste and e-waste from data center hardware are the main material concerns. Basic awareness but no me

Water Impact: How does PayPal score?

PayPal states it uses relatively low volumes of water as a digital business. The company reports annual water consumption in its Global Impact Report and has implemented efficiency measures including low-flow faucets, intelligent flow control, and monitoring technologies at its San Jose headquarters. Local water conservation opportunities are explored. However, no quantified water footprint data, specific reduction targets, or water stewardship programmes were found in public sources. Score refl

Targets & Commitments: How does PayPal score?

PayPal has SBTi-validated near-term targets aligned with 1.5°C: 25% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 by 2025 (from 2019 baseline), 25% reduction in Scope 3 FERA by 2025, and 75% of suppliers by spend to have SBTs by 2025. The company has a net zero before 2040 pledge. The Scope 1 and 2 target has been exceeded (79% reduction achieved). However, the Scope 3 supplier engagement target was only at 45% in 2023 vs the 75% goal. No heavy offset reliance is evident — reduction-first approach is clea

Transparency & Accountability: How does PayPal score?

PayPal publishes an annual Global Impact Report aligned with GRI, SASB, and TCFD frameworks. The 2024 report covers calendar year 2024 data. An external third-party was engaged to perform an attest review engagement on certain metrics. The company discloses trade association memberships and has dedicated CS&I governance structures embedded in the organization. CDP Climate Change Questionnaire is submitted. Board-level ESG oversight is documented. However, no evidence of executive compensation li

Controversies & Red Flags: How does PayPal score?

No environmental greenwashing lawsuits, regulatory fines, or major environmental controversies were found for PayPal. The Impakter Index confirms the company has not been subjected to major controversies recently. PayPal's crypto-related emissions (15% of footprint) represent a growing area of concern but the company is proactively researching ways to incentivise low-carbon crypto mining. PayPal lists trade association memberships but no evidence of anti-climate lobbying activity was found. The

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PayPal Sustainability Score: 59/100

◌ Pending Review

💳 SaaS / Digital ServicesUSMaking progress

~24,400 employees~$31.8B revenue478Kt CO₂e totalRanked #13 of 503Website ↗

PayPal is a saas / digital services company headquartered in US with total reported emissions of 478Kt CO₂e per year. Based on our 10-question rubric, PayPal scores 59/100 — rated as making progress on sustainability but with room to improve.

SINK Score Breakdown

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

Base Impact

SaaS / Digital Services industry ceiling

Performance

58/100

10 questions scored below

Scale Penalty

0.95x

emissions volume multiplier

SINK Score

(0.3 × 70 + 0.7 × 58) × 0.95 = 59

Emissions Breakdown

Scope 1

2Kt

Direct emissions

Scope 2

9Kt

Energy (purchased)

Scope 3

467Kt

Value chain

Total

478Kt

CO₂e per year

10-Question Rubric Breakdown

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

8/10

Carbon Footprint — Operations

5/10

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain

7/10

Emissions Trajectory

7/10

Energy Source

3/10

Nature & Biodiversity Impact

3/10

Resource Use & Waste

4/10

Water Impact

7/10

Targets & Commitments

6/10

Transparency & Accountability

Q10

8/10

Controversies & Red Flags

Community Verification

0 verifications · 0 challenges · Scored using SINK editorial review

Last scored: 6 Apr 2026

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