Colgate-Palmolive Releases 2021 Sustainability & Social Impact Report

Colgate-Palmolive has released its 2021 Sustainability & Social Impact Report, which includes the company’s new Climate Action & Net Zero Carbon transition and targets and introduces an enhanced framework to meet its ambition of “Driving Social Impact,” recognizing that environmental stewardship and social impact are interdependent and essential to protecting and enhancing the planet.

In addition, Colgate also recently published its first report aligned with recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), highlighting the company’s strategy to address the risks and opportunities related to climate change.

“At Colgate, we firmly believe that sustainability and social impact go hand in hand. I am proud that our strategy prioritizes both sustainability and social impact initiatives so that we can empower communities across the globe to have brighter, healthier futures,” said Ann Tracy, chief sustainability officer, Colgate-Palmolive.

In 2021, Colgate says it achieved measurable steps toward its 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy, executing across 11 actions and more than 50 targets for building a more sustainable future. Top achievements include:

• Accelerating Action on Climate Change: In the report, Colgate announced the climate transition approach and targets to reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 20% by 2025, by 42% by 2030, and reach Net Zero carbon emissions across the value chain by 2040.

• Eliminating Plastic Waste: As of December 31, 2021, approximately 84% of Colgate’s packaging across categories and materials by weight was technically recyclable. Colgate’s first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube – breakthrough technology that the company is freely sharing with the industry – exemplifies this progress.

• Reducing Waste: 26 Colgate plants across five continents have been certified as Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Zero Waste compliant, as of December 31, 2021, with six new certifications added in 2021 alone. Colgate says it has more certifications, which assess business performance in reducing waste, than any other company.

Social Impact

Within its 2021 Sustainability & Social Impact Report, Colgate also unveiled an enhanced ambition for Driving Social Impact, which focuses on three actions:
• We inspire our people to make a difference
• We create a more inclusive world
• We help children, their families and communities thrive

Additionally, the company released a separate 2022 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, which outlines key accomplishments and areas of opportunity.

As part of its commitment to advance communities’ health and well-being, Colgate strengthened its flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, which has reached more than 1.4 billion children and their families since its inception in 1991.