eBay Inc.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Economic Empowerment
- Sustainable Commerce
- Culture and Workforce
- Trusted Managed Marketplace
Environmental Achievements
- Decreased Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 31 percent between 2016 and 2019; 16 percent decrease in the last year.
- Increased renewable energy supply by 24 percent from 2018 to 2019, achieving 64 percent renewable energy for all data centers and offices.
- 96.2 percent waste diversion rate at San Jose headquarters in 2019.
Social Achievements
- Reached $1 billion in total funds raised for charities worldwide in 2019 (ahead of 2020 goal).
- Raised a record-breaking $112 million for charities globally in 2019.
- Retail Revival program expanded to 14 cities globally.
- Employees recorded over 16,000 volunteer hours in 2019.
- Achieved a 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.
Governance Achievements
- Integrated ESG into core business strategy with oversight from the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team.
- Established strict internal practices and policies reflecting commitment to ethical standards.
- Maintained anti-corruption policies and procedures complying with US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK Bribery Act.
- Implemented a globally compliant privacy and information protection program.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve 75 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 from our 2016 baseline.
- Source 100 percent of our electricity supply from renewable energy sources by 2025 for eBay-controlled data centers and offices.
- From 2020 to 2025, raise $600 million in total funds to support charities globally.
- From 2020 to 2025, create $3 billion in positive economic impacts and avoid 3 million metric tons of carbon emissions through people selling their pre-owned electronics and apparel on eBay.
- Achieve 50 percent absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2025.
- Achieve a higher percentage of growth among eBay sellers in less-advantaged communities as compared with average economic growth nationwide by 2020.
Environmental Challenges
- Increasing energy use (though only 2% increase between 2018 and 2019 due to optimization strategies).
- Need for more robust system for tracking and managing water company-wide.
- Data limitations in calculating precise estimate for total greenhouse gas footprint of product shipments.
Mitigation Strategies
- Investing in clean energy and implementing new strategies around data center optimization.
- Working to build a more robust system for tracking and managing water company-wide.
- Procuring paper and cardboard shipping supplies with highest levels of post-consumer recycled content.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, SASB Standards
Third-party Assurance: Apex Companies, LLC (limited assurance for Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions, Scope 3 business travel, and energy consumption)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 17: Partnerships
Supporting the UN SDGs through platform, initiatives and business operations.
Awards & Recognition
- Member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index
- #8 on Indeed's list of Best Places to Work
- Recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers
- 100% rating for equality and inclusion on the Corporate Equality Index
- Chosen for inclusion on Fortune's list of Change the World Companies
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Circular Economy
- Renewable Energy
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 44% since 2016
- Sourced 74% renewable energy for all data centers and offices in 2020
- Avoided 720,000 metric tons of carbon emissions in 2020 through recommerce
Social Achievements
- Not disclosed
Governance Achievements
- Board of Directors oversees sustainability and ESG issues, including climate change
- ESG Council, chaired by the CSO, engages with key partners across the company
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90% by 2030 from a 2019 base year
- Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions from downstream transportation and distribution by 20% by 2030
- 100% renewable electricity by 2025 for eBay-controlled data centers and offices
Environmental Challenges
- Increased cost of energy and raw materials
- Increased stakeholder concern regarding climate change
- Increased severity of extreme weather events impacting buyers, sellers, and operations
- Downstream transportation and distribution emissions (Scope 3)
Mitigation Strategies
- Prioritizing renewable energy procurement
- Developing a low-carbon transition plan including science-based targets
- Implementing energy efficiency measures
- Strategic location planning for data centers to mitigate physical risks
- Emergency response plans for extreme weather events
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events (hurricanes, wildfires, flooding)
- Impacts on data centers and offices
Transition Risks
- Increased cost of energy and raw materials
- Increased stakeholder concern
- Changes in regulations
- Market shifts towards sustainability
Opportunities
- Renewable energy adoption
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Growth in recommerce
- Positive brand reputation from climate action
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Apex Companies, LLC (limited assurance for Scope 1, 2, and 3 business travel)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Circular Economy
- Economic Opportunity
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced carbon emissions by approximately 540,000 metric tons in 2021 (equivalent of powering almost 65,000 U.S. homes for one year)
Social Achievements
- Created economic opportunities for sellers, particularly Gen Z, through recommerce.
- Empowered individuals to pursue entrepreneurship and maintain livelihoods.
Governance Achievements
- eBay is a carbon-neutral company, offsetting remaining carbon footprint in 2021.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Create $20 billion in positive economic impacts and avoid 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2025
- Reduce 90% of carbon emissions from operations by 2030
- Source 100% of electricity supply from renewable energy sources by 2025 for eBay-controlled data centers and offices
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Economic Opportunity
- Sustainable Commerce
- Culture and Workforce
- Trusted Marketplace
Environmental Achievements
- 32% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from 2019 baseline
- 91.2% renewable energy for data centers and offices
- 96.7% waste diversion at San Jose headquarters
Social Achievements
- 100.1% pay parity for women globally
- 34% of leadership positions (directors and above) are women
- Employee contributions and eBay Foundation matching gifts totaled over $6.3 million to nonprofits
Governance Achievements
- Board’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee oversees ESG issues and sustainability reporting
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve a 90% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 from our 2019 baseline
- Create $22 billion in positive economic impacts, avoid 8 million metric tons of carbon emissions and avoid 350,000 metric tons of waste through selling pre-owned and refurbished on eBay from 2021 to 2025
- Achieve a higher percentage of growth among eBay sellers in less-advantaged communities as compared with average economic growth nationwide by 2025
- Increase the rate of employee participation in eBay Foundation programs year-over-year from 2021 to 2025
- Raise $600 million in total funds to support charities globally from 2021 to 2025
- Source 100% of our electricity supply from renewable energy sources by 2025 for eBay-controlled data centers and offices
Environmental Challenges
- Accurate assessment of Scope 3 emissions due to data limitations and complexities of the shipping process
Mitigation Strategies
- Significant investments to increase data quality and updated calculation methodology in assessing the entire shipping process, expanding data collection to China in addition to the U.K., Germany and the U.S.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- eBay’s Supplier Code of Business Conduct & Ethics: Covers women’s rights, living wage and data privacy
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 5
- Goal 8
- Goal 13
- Goal 7
- Goal 12
- Goal 17
Awards & Recognition
- Mental Health Workplace of the Year by Lyra Health
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Economic Opportunity
- Sustainable Commerce
- Culture and Workforce
- Trusted Marketplace
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved carbon neutrality for Scopes 1 and 2 emissions.
- 91% renewable energy for data centers and offices.
- 59% decrease in Scopes 1 and 2 emissions between 2019 and 2023.
- 1.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions avoided in 2023 through recommerce.
- 69,000 metric tons of waste avoided in 2023 through recommerce.
Social Achievements
- Launched Up & Running Grant program, awarding $10,000 grants to 50 small businesses.
- Expanded eBay Academy with new courses.
- Supported over 550 entrepreneurs, social enterprises, and charities through social impact programs in the U.K.
- Raised nearly $162 million for charity in 2023 through eBay for Charity.
- 100% paid birth parent and non-birth parent leave worldwide.
Governance Achievements
- Implemented Responsible AI principles.
- Annual compliance training for all employees.
- Established a Third Party diversity benchmark.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve 90% absolute reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 from 2019 baseline.
- Achieve 20% absolute reduction in Scope 3 downstream transportation and distribution GHG emissions by 2030 from 2019 baseline.
- Achieve a higher percentage of growth among eBay sellers in less-advantaged communities by 2025.
- Raise $600 million for charities globally from 2021 to 2025 (eBay for Charity).
- Increase employee volunteer hours with eBay Foundation programs year-over-year from 2021 to 2025.
- Create $22 billion in positive economic impacts, avoid 8 million metric tons of carbon emissions and avoid 350,000 metric tons of waste through recommerce from 2021 to 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Scope 3 emissions (primarily from shipping and transportation) far outweigh Scopes 1 and 2.
- Reducing carbon intensity of shipping despite reduction in emissions.
- Ensuring accurate data collection and methodology for emissions calculations.
Mitigation Strategies
- Three-pronged approach to decarbonization: policy advocacy, direct carrier engagement, and internal initiatives.
- Continuous improvement of data collection and methodology for emissions.
- Investing in clean energy sources and energy-efficient technologies.
- Implementing AI tools to detect suspicious patterns in wildlife trafficking.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Third Party Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather, flooding
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes, market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD, UNGC
Third-party Assurance: Apex Companies, LLC
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
- Goal 13: Climate action
- Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
eBay aligns its efforts with these SDGs through its platform, initiatives, and business operations.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- eBay Refurbished
Awards & Recognition
- Green Power Partnership EPA JUST List
- CNBC / JUST CAPITAL JUST List
- Corporate Equality Index “Equality 100 Award”
- HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN World’s Most Attractive Employer
- UNIVERSUM Best Companies for Future Leaders 2024
- TIME MAGAZINE The Sustainability Yearbook
- S&P GLOBAL Business Energy Achievement Awards
- Catalyst 2030 Top 100 Corporate Philanthropists
- Silicon Valley Business Journal Platinum Awardee