The Clorox Company sustainability score: 41/100

Clorox reports Scope 1 (65,504 tCO₂e) and Scope 2 (27,888 tCO₂e) emissions for 2023 with EY limited assurance, GHG Protocol methodology, and multi-year tracking. The company achieved >65% reduction versus 2020 baseline through 2024, with granular facility-level breakdowns. Third-party verification and declining trend confirmed.

Clorox reports Scope 3 emissions of ~3.1 million tCO₂e with purchased goods and services (~1.99M tCO₂e) as dominant categories. SBTi-approved 25% absolute Scope 3 reduction target by 2030. Clorox Climate Partners supplier programme launched 2024 targeting 100 high-impact suppliers via Manufacture 2030 platform. Full value chain third-party verification not yet in place.

Combined Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions decreased 18% between 2020 and 2024. Scope 1&2 achieved >65% reduction; Scope 3 reduction (>15%) primarily driven by business normalization post-COVID-19, not structural decarbonization. Intensity reduction only 6% per case of product sold—limited underlying progress.

Clorox achieved 100% renewable electricity for US and Canada operations in January 2021 via two 12-year VPPAs with Enel Green Power (70MW solar Texas, 47MW wind Oklahoma) plus RECs. Renewable electricity also at Colombia and Chile sites. Operations in 25 countries total; global 100% renewable electricity not yet achieved.

Clorox has RSPO membership, NDPE commitments, and supports Earthworm Foundation's Aceh Landscape Program since 2016 (60% deforestation reduction). Palm oil volume <0.003% of global production. No TNFD-aligned disclosure or quantified nature footprint exists. Chlorine-based products pose inherent aquatic ecosystem risks not formally quantified by company.

Clorox achieved zero-waste-to-landfill in 80%+ of plants; goal 100% by 2025, all facilities by 2030. Signature goal: 50% reduction in virgin plastic/fibre packaging by 2030; reached 88% toward 100% recyclable/reusable/compostable packaging target. Earned HCPA 2023 Circular Economy Innovation Award. Products remain fundamentally single-use linear.

Clorox tracks water withdrawals from 2018 baseline, achieving 18% absolute and 14% intensity reduction by 2024. Uses WRI Aqueduct Tool to identify 19 high/extremely-high water stress locations; localized action plans in Mexico City and Quilicura, Chile. Downstream chemical impact on water ecosystems not quantified.

Clorox has SBTi-validated 2030 targets: 50% absolute Scope 1&2 reduction, 25% absolute Scope 3 reduction versus 2020 baseline. Scope 1&2 targets 1.5°C-aligned and already achieved. Net-zero ambition by 2050 with anticipated SBTi net-zero validation as of April 2024. All targets absolute, not intensity-based; no offset reliance.

Clorox publishes integrated annual report combining financial and ESG data, among first US companies to do so. ESG goals embedded in IGNITE corporate strategy with dedicated Chief Sustainability Officer. Reports through CDP, applies TCFD framework, holds EY limited assurance on selected indicators. Board ESG oversight in place. No evidence of executive compensation linked to sustainability targets.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) upheld greenwashing ruling in April 2025: Clorox fined AUD $8.25M for misleading 'ocean plastic' claims on GLAD bags. Federal Court found claims constituted greenwashing under Australian Consumer Law. Clorox admitted breach and cooperated. No active climate policy lobbying misalignment found; Earthworm Foundation partnership positive but does not offset penalty.