Best examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint in 2025

Real-world examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint

When people ask for examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint, they usually want specifics: how much CO₂ was cut, what it cost, and which tactics actually worked. Below are real examples from different industries, with a focus on measurable results and how those results were achieved.

Tech sector: Microsoft, Google, and Apple cutting emissions at scale

Microsoft: From carbon neutral to carbon negative by 2030

Microsoft is one of the best-known examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint with aggressive, time-bound targets.

• In 2020, Microsoft committed to be carbon negative by 2030 and to remove all historical emissions by 2050.
• The company reported a ~0.5% total emissions reduction in FY 2023 despite business growth, with Scope 1 and 2 emissions down and Scope 3 still the main challenge.
• Key tactics include:
  • An internal carbon fee applied to business units based on their emissions. This fee funds carbon removal, renewable energy, and efficiency projects.
  • Long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for wind and solar to cover electricity use.
  • Pilots with carbon removal technologies, like direct air capture and nature-based solutions.

This is a strong example of how precise carbon footprint measurement—and putting a price on emissions internally—can steer investment decisions. Microsoft’s sustainability reports are public and detailed, making them a valuable reference for any company building a carbon strategy.

Google: 24/7 carbon-free energy and data center efficiency

Google offers another example of companies reducing their carbon footprint through both energy sourcing and operational efficiency.

• Google has matched 100% of its annual electricity use with renewable energy since 2017, through PPAs and renewable certificates.
• Its next goal is more ambitious: operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, meaning every hour of electricity use is matched with clean power.
• Google’s data centers are a case study in efficiency. The company reports that its data centers deliver about 3x more computing power for the same amount of energy compared with 2015, thanks to advanced cooling, AI-based energy management, and hardware optimization.

For organizations with energy-intensive operations, this is one of the best examples of how continuous measurement, efficiency upgrades, and strategic renewable sourcing can work together.

Apple: Supplier engagement and product life-cycle cuts

Apple is a prime example of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint through deep supply chain engagement.

• Apple reports that over 300 suppliers have committed to using 100% renewable electricity for Apple production, representing the majority of its manufacturing footprint.
• The company has cut its overall carbon footprint by around 45% since 2015 while growing revenue.
• Tactics include:
  • Designing products with more recycled materials (e.g., recycled aluminum and rare earth elements).
  • Improving energy efficiency in devices so customers’ use-phase emissions are lower.
  • Working with suppliers on efficiency projects and renewable energy procurement.

This is a clear example of how tackling Scope 3 emissions—especially purchased goods and services—can yield large reductions when a company has leverage over its suppliers.

Retail and consumer goods: Walmart, IKEA, and Unilever

Walmart: Project Gigaton and supplier-driven reductions

Walmart’s Project Gigaton is frequently cited among the best examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint at supply-chain scale.

• Launched in 2017, Project Gigaton aims to avoid 1 gigaton (1 billion metric tons) of CO₂e by 2030 across Walmart’s global value chain.
• By 2023, Walmart reported suppliers had avoided over 750 million metric tons of CO₂e through energy, agriculture, packaging, waste, and product design improvements.
• Walmart built a platform where suppliers can set emissions goals, track progress, and access guidance on reduction strategies.

For businesses that rely heavily on suppliers, this is one of the best examples of how you can use purchasing power and structured programs to drive emissions reduction well beyond your direct operations.

IKEA: Renewable energy and product circularity

IKEA offers another compelling example of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint with a mix of renewables and circular design.

• IKEA’s parent company, Ingka Group, reports that it has generated more renewable energy than it consumes in its operations globally, thanks to large investments in wind and solar.
• The company has pledged to become climate positive by 2030, meaning it aims to reduce more greenhouse gas emissions than its value chain emits.
• Concrete actions include:
  • Rolling out energy-efficient LED lighting across all products and stores.
  • Expanding buy-back and resale programs to extend product life.
  • Shifting to low-carbon materials, such as more sustainable wood and recycled inputs.

IKEA’s approach is a real example of how retailers can combine building-level energy projects with product design, circularity, and customer engagement.

Unilever: Lower-carbon products and logistics

Unilever is another example of companies reducing their carbon footprint by rethinking products and logistics.

• The company has set a target to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2039.
• It has reported significant reductions in emissions per consumer use of its products, driven by formula changes, packaging redesign, and efficiency in manufacturing.
• Unilever has also worked on route optimization and modal shifts in transport to cut logistics emissions.

For consumer goods companies, this is among the best examples of integrating carbon footprint measurement into product design and supply chain decisions.

Heavy industry and logistics: Maersk, Ørsted, and GM

Maersk: Low-carbon shipping fuels and fleet transformation

Shipping giant Maersk provides one of the most instructive examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint in a hard-to-abate sector.

• Maersk has committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 across its business.
• It has ordered a growing fleet of methanol-capable container ships and is investing in green methanol supply.
• The company launched its first carbon-neutral liner service using biofuels and is scaling up the use of alternative fuels.

Because shipping emissions are difficult to reduce with efficiency alone, Maersk’s strategy is a real example of how fuel switching and long-term capital planning can drive decarbonization in heavy transport.

Ørsted: From fossil-heavy utility to renewable powerhouse

Danish energy company Ørsted is a standout example of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint by transforming its core business.

• A decade ago, Ørsted’s generation mix was dominated by coal and gas. Today, it is one of the world’s largest offshore wind developers.
• The company reports that it has reduced its carbon intensity of energy generation by more than 80% since 2006.
• It has committed to net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2040.

Ørsted shows what it looks like when a company doesn’t just optimize around the edges but reorients its entire business model toward low-carbon solutions.

General Motors (GM): EVs and plant decarbonization

GM is a U.S. example of companies reducing their carbon footprint through electrification and manufacturing changes.

• GM has committed to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
• The company is investing heavily in electric vehicles (EVs) and battery plants.
• GM has also set goals for sourcing 100% renewable electricity for its U.S. operations by 2025 and global operations by 2035.

For manufacturers in the U.S. context, GM is a real example of how product strategy (EVs) and operations (renewable energy, efficiency) can be aligned with carbon reduction goals.

How these examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint actually work

Looking across these examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint, several patterns show up repeatedly. If you’re building your own strategy, these patterns are worth noting.

1. Measure everything: Scopes 1, 2, and 3

All of the best examples start with detailed carbon footprint measurement:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (e.g., company vehicles, onsite fuel use).
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling.
• Scope 3: All other value chain emissions, including purchased goods, business travel, use of sold products, and end-of-life.

Companies like Microsoft, Apple, Walmart, and Unilever publish detailed greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a widely used standard developed by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Authoritative guidance on GHG accounting can be found at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which provides tools and frameworks for inventory development and reduction strategies: https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership

2. Set science-based targets and timelines

Many of the best examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint have targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which aligns corporate goals with pathways to limit global warming.

• Targets often include short-term milestones (e.g., 2025, 2030) and long-term net-zero dates.
• Companies commit to quantified reductions, like “cut emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline,” rather than vague aspirations.

This combination of measurement and time-bound targets creates accountability and makes progress easier to track.

3. Prioritize energy efficiency and clean electricity

Across nearly all real examples, two early moves stand out:

• Energy efficiency: Upgrading lighting, HVAC, industrial equipment, and data centers to reduce energy use per unit of output.
• Renewable electricity: Using onsite solar, buying green power from utilities, or signing long-term PPAs for wind and solar.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings program highlights how these actions can cut costs and emissions simultaneously, with case studies from multiple sectors: https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov

4. Tackle supply chain and product design

Some of the most impactful examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint—Apple, Walmart, IKEA, Unilever—focus heavily on:

• Supplier engagement: Setting requirements, offering tools, and sometimes co-investing in projects.
• Materials and packaging: Shifting to recycled content, lightweight designs, and lower-carbon inputs.
• Product use phase: Designing products that use less energy or enable low-carbon behavior (e.g., efficient appliances, EVs).

Because Scope 3 emissions often make up the majority of a company’s footprint, this is where the biggest gains often lie.

5. Use internal carbon pricing and finance mechanisms

Several of the best examples, especially in tech and finance, use internal carbon prices to steer capital:

• Microsoft’s internal carbon fee charges business units per ton of CO₂e emitted.
• Some companies use a “shadow price” when evaluating investments, favoring projects that would look better in a future with higher external carbon prices.

This financial lens helps ensure decarbonization isn’t just a side project but part of core investment decisions.

Why these real examples matter for your own carbon strategy

These examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint are not just interesting success stories. They provide practical templates:

• Small and mid-sized businesses can borrow tactics like energy audits, renewable energy procurement through community solar or green tariffs, and supplier questionnaires.
• Large enterprises can look to Microsoft, Apple, and Walmart for examples of internal governance structures, reporting frameworks, and supplier programs.
• Industrial and logistics companies can study Maersk and GM to understand how to plan for long-lived assets and fuel transitions.

For additional guidance on climate risks and corporate responses, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) offer science-based resources:

• IPCC reports: https://www.ipcc.ch
• USGCRP resources: https://www.globalchange.gov

When you combine these external resources with the real-world examples in this article, you get a clear picture: measuring your emissions accurately and acting on that data is no longer optional. It’s a core part of staying competitive, managing risk, and meeting stakeholder expectations in the 2020s.

FAQ: examples of companies reducing their carbon footprint

What are some of the best examples of companies reducing their carbon footprint?

Some of the best examples include Microsoft (internal carbon fee and carbon-negative target), Google (24/7 carbon-free energy goal), Apple (supplier decarbonization and recycled materials), Walmart (Project Gigaton supply-chain reductions), IKEA (renewable energy and circular products), Maersk (low-carbon shipping fuels), Ørsted (shift from fossil fuels to offshore wind), and GM (EV transition and renewable-powered plants).

Can smaller businesses learn from these examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint?

Yes. While the scale is different, the core steps are similar: measure emissions, set targets, improve efficiency, switch to cleaner energy, and work with suppliers. Smaller firms can adopt simplified GHG accounting tools, start with energy audits, and use green power options offered by local utilities.

What is one practical example of a low-cost action to reduce a company’s carbon footprint?

A practical example of a low-cost action is upgrading to LED lighting and optimizing building controls (like thermostats and occupancy sensors). Many organizations recover the investment in a few years through lower energy bills, while also cutting Scope 2 emissions.

How do companies verify and report their carbon footprint reductions?

Most large companies follow the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and often seek third-party assurance of their emissions data. Many also align with reporting frameworks like the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). In the U.S., the EPA provides guidance and tools for corporate GHG inventories and emissions reduction planning.

Where can I find more real examples of companies reducing their carbon footprint?

You can explore case studies and examples on:

• U.S. EPA Climate Leadership resources: https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership
• U.S. DOE Better Buildings Solution Center: https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov
• Science Based Targets initiative case studies: https://sciencebasedtargets.org

These sites regularly publish real examples of case studies of companies reducing carbon footprint across different industries and regions.