WPP sustainability score: 43/100

WPP reported Scope 1 of 9,629 tCO2e and near-zero market-based Scope 2 in 2024 (0.15 tCO2e per person), an 82% absolute reduction since 2019. GHG Protocol-aligned with PwC limited assurance on selected metrics. Scope 2 figure artificially low due to unbundled EAC procurement; locally contracted car data lacks full assurance.

WPP published full Scope 3 inventory covering media placement (54% of baseline), procurement, production, and technology via CDP 2024, totalling 5.4 million tCO2e. First major ad firm to include media emissions. Lacks third-party assurance and relies on spend-based extrapolation for media vendors, limiting data quality.

Scope 1 and 2 achieved 82% absolute reduction by 2024 (beating 2025 target); confirmed 89% reduction by 2025. Media emissions down 17% since 2019. Scope 3 trajectory moving right but total 5.4 million tCO2e lacks independent verification and year-on-year absolute reduction confirmation.

WPP sourced 93% renewable electricity in 2024 (target 100% by 2025, achieved in FY2025). However, 97% was unbundled Energy Attribute Certificates without additionality, capped at 6 under SINK methodology. No on-site generation reported.

WPP explicitly excludes biodiversity and water from materiality assessment. No TNFD disclosure, deforestation commitment, or nature footprint quantified. Holds 79 fossil fuel contracts (more than any competitor) with clients including Saudi Aramco, Shell, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil—five of the world's top 10 polluters. No offsetting programme documented.

WPP reports campus consolidation and AI-driven production reducing shoot waste by 80% versus traditional shoots. No published waste tonnage, circular economy targets, or hardware lifecycle management. Digital and data centre resource intensity flagged as emerging concern without measurement.

WPP explicitly excludes water from materiality assessment as a service-sector company with negligible direct use. Acknowledges rising AI energy and water consumption as emerging concern but has no measurement or targets. No water reduction programmes documented.

WPP has SBTi-validated targets: 84% Scope 1 and 2 reduction by 2025 (achieved at 82% in 2024, 89% by 2025) and 50% Scope 3 reduction by 2030 from 2019 baseline. Reduction-first with no offset reliance. No SBTi net-zero long-term validation; baseline recalculation planned for 2025.

WPP publishes annual Sustainability Report, TCFD statement (9 of 11 requirements), CDP Climate Disclosure, PwC-assured ESG metrics, and ESG Data Book. Board Sustainability Committee monitors targets. Double materiality assessment completed 2024. No evidence of executive compensation linked to targets; Scope 3 lacks PwC assurance.

WPP holds 79 fossil fuel contracts (more than any ad firm). Two ASA upheld rulings: Shell 'Cleaner Energy' ads (June 2023, overstated low-carbon investment) and Toyota 'Born to Roam' SUV ads (November 2023, disregarded environmental impact). Ogilvy Government Relations lobbied US Congress against methane regulation and Big Oil Windfall Tax Act for American Petroleum Institute ($4.65M since 2012), contradicting WPP's Paris Agreement policy. OECD complaint filed February 2025.