Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Food & Animals
- People
- Environment
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved a 51% landfill diversion rate
- Composted 60,519 cubic yards of waste
- Recycled 1,999,224 cubic yards of waste
- Offset 3,875 tons of carbon emissions
- Reduced 65,582 MWh of energy via our energy management systems
- Purchased approximately 22% of our electricity from renewable sources
Social Achievements
- Donated over $5 million to local community organizations
- Donated over 455,000 meals to those in need
- Launched five Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Achieved a Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index score of 100% as of 2021
- Promoted over 13,500 employees
Governance Achievements
- Introduced a new ESG metric that ties executive compensation to ESG goals in 2021 (10% of officers’ annual incentive bonus tied to ESG progress)
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- 5% overall waste reduction by 2025 (as compared to a 2020 baseline)
- Identify key biodiversity hotspots throughout our operation by 2025
- Baseline food waste throughout supply chain and identify key areas of impact opportunity by 2023
- Increase energy savings at the restaurant level through improvements to our Energy Management Systems (EMS) by end of 2022
- Baseline construction diversion rate by end of 2022
- Maintain 90% recycling rate at all restaurants in 2021
- Increase the percentage of renewable energy sourced year over year
- Pilot at least one innovative new packaging design that reduces plastic in 2021
- Pilot closed-loop recycling program for our cutlery by end of 2021
- Pilot scalable diversion program for construction projects by end of 2021
- Ensure we open 90% of new restaurants with a diversion program (recycling and/or compost) in 2021
- Add an additional 125 restaurants to our compost program by end of 2022
- Create internal Climate Committee focused on curbing companywide GHG emissions by end 2021
- Identify key water risk areas and ingredients throughout supply chain in an effort to inform our water conservation strategy
- Conduct updated water usage baseline at restaurant level by end of 2021 to inform our water conservation strategy
- Set science-based emissions reduction targets verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) by end of 2021
- Pilot at least one strategic supply chain food waste reduction project by end of 2021
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19
- Climate change impacts on ingredient prices and availability
- Maintaining high levels of quality and safety with ingredient supply volatility
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies
- Implemented COVID-19 safety protocols
- Increased supplier audits and oversight
- Developed an internal plan to guide future business decisions regarding climate change
- Created a climate committee focused on curbing emissions
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 100% of domestic suppliers annually, 100% of international suppliers biennially (adjusted in 2020 due to COVID-19)
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
- Animal Welfare Guidelines
- Food With Integrity program
- Sustainability and Diversity Survey (2020)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Increased weather volatility impacting ingredient prices and availability
Transition Risks
- Increased costs from climate change impacts on supply chain
Opportunities
- Developing more sustainable agricultural practices
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core Option
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Eide Bailly, LLP (Scope 1 and 2 emissions)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Cauliflower rice
- Lifestyle Bowls
- Chipotle Goods natural dye line
Awards & Recognition
- Many awards listed in the report for sustainability, food safety, diversity, and employee well-being
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Food & Animals
- People
- Environment
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced energy consumption by 12.7% (50,771 MWh) through Energy Management Systems.
- Achieved a 50% landfill diversion rate.
- Increased renewable energy utilization from 22% to 23.6%.
Social Achievements
- 90% of restaurant management roles filled through internal promotions.
- Offered free and confidential EAP services to all employees.
- Achieved a 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.
Governance Achievements
- Tied 10% of executive compensation to ESG goals.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 (from 2019 baseline).
- Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by at least 5% by the end of 2022.
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions due to ingredient shortages and increased shipping costs.
- Higher than normal employee turnover (141% for restaurant hourly employees in 2021).
- Scope 3 emissions accounting for over 93% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
Mitigation Strategies
- Continued to uphold Food With Integrity values despite challenges.
- Working to normalize employee turnover through improved employee life cycle management.
- Engaged cross-functional stakeholders and third-party experts to develop strategies for reducing Scope 3 emissions.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Food With Integrity guidelines
- Working with suppliers to meet sustainability and quality standards.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Piloted forks using 20% less plastic.
Awards & Recognition
- Fast Company's 10 Most Innovative Dining Companies
- Investor's Business Daily's 100 Best ESG Companies
- SmartBrief Innovation Awards Sustainable Solution winner
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- People
- Food and Animals
- Environment
Environmental Achievements
- Procured 40% of total energy consumption for 2022 from renewable sources with RECs from Green-e® Energy certified wind
- Implemented restaurant efficiencies to reduce natural gas consumption in 11 locations
- Pilot of new all-electric restaurant design utilizing 100% renewable energy
Social Achievements
- Donated $6 million to local community organizations through 29,000 in-restaurant fundraisers
- Promoted over 22,000 Chipotle employees
- Awarded $37 million in bonuses to Chipotle employees in 2022
- Raised almost $14 million through Round Up for Real Change since its inception
- Donated over 282,000 meals to those in need in local communities
- 90% of employees surveyed say Chipotle is a great place to work
Governance Achievements
- Not disclosed
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline
- Increase the amount of local produce purchased to at least 36.4 million pounds in 2023
- Have more than 100 new locations in 2024 utilize all-electric equipment and at least some additional elements from its new design
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the company
- Sourcing sustainable ingredients
- Reducing environmental impact of restaurants
Mitigation Strategies
- Science-based targets to reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline
- Investing in projects to drive emission reductions in beef and dairy production
- Exploring and developing strategies to support greater adoption of regenerative agriculture practices among supply chain partners
- Developing plans for offering additional vegetarian and vegan menu items
- Increasing the amount of local produce purchased
- Standardizing the installation of energy management systems at every restaurant
- Exploring greater use of low carbon fuels and adoption of renewable resources in logistics
- New all-electric restaurant design
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Working with suppliers with rigorous animal welfare practices
- Supporting organic, transitional, and local growers
- Investing $35 million into local food systems
- Purchasing 22 million pounds of organic & transitional ingredients
- Purchasing more than 36 million pounds of local produce
- Purchasing more than 14 million pounds of organically grown produce
- Purchasing 53 million pounds of certified pork, chicken, and beef
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
Certifications: Green-e® Energy certified wind
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Food & Animals
- People
- Environment
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 13%
- 100% of new restaurant openings participated in the food donation “Harvest Program”
- Established composting services at 265 restaurant locations
Social Achievements
- Donated over $6.9 million to local community organizations through 33,000 restaurant fundraisers
- Launched charitable match employee programs “Dish Out” and “Chip In”
- More than 24,000 internal promotions
Governance Achievements
- Tied a portion of executive compensation to drive Brand Purpose goals
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030
- Achieve 100% controlled atmospheric stun (CAS) in chicken slaughter by 2026
- Reduce waste to landfill by 5% by 2025
- Establish composting resources at 235 restaurants
Environmental Challenges
- Scope 3 emissions increased by 13% due to new restaurant openings
- Achieving 100% controlled atmospheric stun (CAS) in chicken slaughter by 2026 requires significant supplier investment
- Reducing Scope 3 emissions requires dedicated engagement with supply chain partners
Mitigation Strategies
- Created working groups to support development of strategic emission reduction activities with key suppliers
- Engaging with suppliers to implement regenerative agriculture practices
- Working with suppliers to assess the fiscal and resource impacts of changing processes and overhauling systems for CAS
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 100% of meat and dairy suppliers audited annually
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Conduct requiring compliance with applicable laws and prohibiting forced labor, child labor, and other human rights violations
- Specific standards for responsibly raised meats and dairy, produce
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather impacting ingredient availability and restaurant operations
- Seasonal shifts impacting agricultural production
Transition Risks
- Construction delays and increased utility costs due to climate regulations
Opportunities
- Resource efficiency in agriculture and supply chain, building design, and low-carbon alternatives
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Re-designed burrito bowls to optimize shipping and reduce materials
Awards & Recognition
- Listed on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, Forbes Best Brands for Social Impact, and others