Top 10: Net Zero Brands

Large corporations are responsible for a sizable share of global greenhouse gas emissions. 

According to CDP, 100 companies were linked to 71% of global industrial GHG emissions since 1988.

By aiming for net zero, brands can influence supply chains and can shape consumer behaviour, serving as potentially powerful trendsetters. 

Sustainability Magazine has ranked 10 of the top brands taking action on ambitious net zero plans.

10. Mastercard

Chief Sustainability Officer & EVP: Ellen Jackowski
Headquarters: New York, US
Founded: 1966

Mastercard aims to reach net zero by 2040 and is removing first-use plastics across all newly-issued physical payment cards on its network.

“Mastercard is committed to advancing climate action and reducing waste by driving our business toward net zero emissions and leveraging our network and scale to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, regenerative economy,” says Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mastercard.

9. Visa

Chief Sustainability Officer: Nate Hurst
Headquarters: California, US
Founded: 1958

Visa has committed to achieving net zero by 2040, with an emissions reduction of 90% across all three scopes. Its target has been formalised with the SBTi. 

In 2024, the company reported that it achieved carbon neutral operations with 100% renewable electricity. 

Ryan McInerney, CEO of Visa, says in its 2024 Sustainability Report: “By doing business the right way, we build trust with our stakeholders and protect Visa’s reputation, which is essential to our long-term success.”

8. Ørsted

Senior Director, Head of Global Sustainability: Ida Krabek
Headquarters: Fredericia, Denmark
Founded: 2006

Ørsted says it is reducing all of its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040, validated by the SBTi, while driving demand for its renewable energy solutions. 

In 2024, it closed its one remaining coal-fired combined heat and power plant, keeping the company on track to achieve its target of a 98% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by 2025.

The company says that phasing out natural gas sales from its business portfolio will eliminate the vast majority of its Scope 3 emissions.

7. Meta

Global Head of Net Zero and Sustainability: Blair Sweeden
Headquarters: California, US
Founded: 2004

Meta aims to achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2030, with near-term targets validated by the SBTi, alongside becoming water positive.

The company says that its renewable energy commitments have reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 12.3 million tonnes of CO₂.

Meta has developed a Net Zero Supplier Engagement Program to support key suppliers to accelerate their efforts to reduce their emissions.

It aims to engage two thirds of its suppliers to set science-aligned emissions reduction targets by 2026.

6. Google

Chief Sustainability Officer: Kate Brandt
Headquarters: California, US
Founded: 1998

Google has set a goal to achieve net zero emissions across its operations and value chain by 2030, with near-term targets validated by the SBTi. 

Despite significant growth in electricity demand, Google reduced its data centre energy emissions by 12% in 2024, although its overall emissions grew 11% according to its 2025 Environmental Report.

“This is about building for the future through new advanced energy innovations and deeper supplier engagement,” says Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google.

5. Microsoft

Chief Sustainability Officer: Melanie Nakagawa
Headquarters: Washington, US
Founded: 1975

Microsoft says it aims to be carbon negative by 2030, with near-term targets validated by the SBTi. By 2050, the company says it will remove all carbon it has emitted since its founding. 

In its 2025 Environmental Sustainability Report, the company showed a 23.4% increase in emissions.

“We remain pragmatically optimistic because of the promise of new sustainability technologies, innovations in AI and market solutions,” Melanie Nakagawa, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Brad Smith, Vice Chair & President of Microsoft, say in a joint statement in the report.

4. Salesforce

EVP & Chief Impact Officer: Suzanne DiBianca
Headquarters: California, US
Founded: 1999

Salesforce has committed to achieving net zero emissions by FY41 with its targets validated by the SBTi.

Its commitment is to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions 90% by FY41 and Scope 3 emissions 97% per US$ value added in the same timeframe.

It announced that it achieved net zero across its value chain and 100% renewable energy in 2021.

Marc Benioff, CEO at Salesforce, says in its FY25 Stakeholder Report: “Sustainability is a core value at Salesforce that is operationalised across the business.”

3. Acciona

Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer: José Entrecanales
Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
Founded: 1997

Acciona says it is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040 and has an SBTi validated target to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2050. 

The company has offset 100% of its emissions since 2016 and avoided 13.6 million tons of CO₂ through renewable energy generation.

Between 2022 and 2023, it planted more than 350,000 additional trees.

Acciona says it is the world’s largest energy operator dedicated exclusively to renewable energy.

2. Apple

VP Environment, Policy & Social Initiatives: Lisa Jackson
Headquarters: California, US
Founded: 1976

Apple 2030 is the company’s goal to achieve net zero emissions, with an SBTi validated target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 62% across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by FY2030. 

The company says it has been carbon neutral for its global corporate operations since 2020. It has committed to 90% emissions reduction by 2050. In 2020, it set a commitment to become carbon neutral across the lifecycle of its products by 2030.

In 2021, Apple partnered with Goldman Sachs and Conservation International to launch the US$200m Restore Fund, a nature-based carbon removal investment strategy. It doubled this commitment in 2023 with a second fund in partnership with Climate Asset Management.

To achieve its goals, the company says it is improving supplier energy efficiency, using innovative product designs and switching to 100% clean electricity for both its manufacturing and customer’s electricity use powering Apple devices.

1. SAP

Chief Sustainability & Commercial Officer: Sophia Mendelsohn
Headquarters: Walldorf, Germany
Founded: 1972

SAP aims to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2030, 20 years earlier than the target it originally set. It wants to achieve this through a 90% reduction in gross greenhouse gas emissions and offset remaining emissions through carbon removal projects. 

“Really good sustainability goals are always based on what your stakeholders want to see from the business,” explains Sophia Mendelsohn, Chief Sustainability & Commercial Officer at SAP.

The company has partnered with Climeworks to secure 37,000 tons of carbon removal credits through 2034 which will support direct air capture, biochar and enhanced rock weathering. Sophia says: "Investing in quality carbon removals addresses emissions we can't eliminate directly. 

“Our Climeworks partnership secures high-integrity capacity at preferred rates while protecting against price volatility. This investment also strengthens SAP economically - we can now develop new products that meet evolving customer, partner and regulatory expectations."