Merck & Co
Carbon footprint
Primary Climate Goal
Merck & Co aims to reduce Scope 1 + 2 by 46% by 2030 from a base year 2019
Secondary Climate Goal
Merck & Co aims to reduce Scope 3 by 30% by 2030 from a base year 2020
GHG emissions and Carbon intensity
Merck & Co reported Total CO2e Emissions - Market-Based Scope 1 + Scope 2 for the twelve months ending 31 December 2020 at 994 Kt (-83 /-7.7% y-o-y). At the same time, carbon intensity grew to 24 t (+0.9/+3.9% y-o-y).
Merck & Co's Scope 3 emissions increased to 7,103 Kt (
The company is committed to reducing Scope 1 + 2 by 46% by 2030 from a base year 2019, which translates into the estimated reduction of -41 Kt per annum over the period of FY2021 - FY2030. This science-based target is aligned with Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Also, the company commits to reducing Scope 3 by 30% by 2030 from a base year 2020, which translates into the estimated reduction of -213 Kt per annum over the period of FY2021 - FY2030. This target, however, has not been recognised as science-based (and as aligned with Paris Agreement) by the SBTi.
Merck & Co aims to achive carbon neutrality across its operations (Scope 1 + 2) in 2025. Companies normally become carbon neutral with the help of the acquisition of carbon offsets rather than absolute reductions in their own greenhouse emissions. Also, carbon neutrality does not include non-CO2 GHG emissions.