Environment

Score: ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️ (5/5)

Overview: Walmart has implemented various environmental sustainability initiatives, focusing on climate change mitigation, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing. The company has set targets and developed plans to achieve them.

Climate Change Mitigation

• Set science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aims to achieve zero emissions in its global operations by 2040. [Source]
• Invested in renewable energy projects and energy efficiency improvements across its operations. [Source]

Waste Reduction and Circular Economy

• Committed to achieving zero waste in its own operations in key markets, including the U.S., U.K., Japan, and Canada. [Source]
• Implemented programs to reduce food waste and improve recycling rates. [Source]

Sustainable Sourcing

• Collaborates with suppliers to source products responsibly, including commitments to sustainable agriculture and forestry practices. [Source]

Areas for Improvement

• Enhance transparency by providing more detailed reporting on progress towards environmental targets.
• Increase efforts to address Scope 3 emissions, which are indirect emissions occurring in the value chain.

Human Rights

Score: ✔️✔️✔️✔️ (4/5)

Overview: Walmart has established policies and programs to address human rights issues, including labor practices and supply chain management. However, recent developments have raised concerns about the company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Policy Framework

• Adheres to a Human Rights Statement that aligns with international standards, including the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization’s core conventions. [Source]
• Implements Standards for Suppliers to promote ethical labor practices in its supply chain. [Source]

Due Diligence and Risk Management

• Conducts audits and assessments to monitor compliance with human rights standards among suppliers. [Source]

Recent Developments

• Announced a rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including ending race and gender-based supplier diversity considerations and closing its Center for Racial Equity. [Source]
• Faced criticism from shareholders and advocacy groups over the DEI policy changes. [Source]

Areas for Improvement

• Reassess recent DEI policy changes to ensure alignment with human rights commitments.
• Enhance transparency by publishing detailed reports on human rights initiatives and progress.

Animal Welfare

Score: ✔️✔️✔️✔️ (4/5)

Overview: Walmart has made significant strides in promoting animal welfare within its supply chain, implementing policies and collaborating with suppliers to improve standards.

Animal Welfare Policy

• Updated its Animal Welfare Position in 2025, asking suppliers to adopt the principles of the Five Freedoms or Five Domains and publish a corporate policy on animal welfare. [Source]
• Requires suppliers to report cases of animal abuse and take appropriate corrective actions. [Source]

Supply Chain Standards

• Encourages suppliers to utilize species-specific industry welfare standards with third-party audits to promote transparency and standardization. [Source]
• Committed to selling 100% cage-free eggs by 2025, working with suppliers to improve hen welfare. [Source]

Areas for Improvement

• Enhance transparency by reporting on animal welfare considerations in environmental impact assessments and land management practices.