Fast food chain McDonald’s has removed the term ESG from some parts of its US website in a move which distances the company from its sustainability journey.
The term – which refers to environmental, social, and governance – has been quietly removed from key corporate pages across the US website, according to analysis by Bloomberg News. The changes have been made at the same time as a number of ESG initiatives have been attracting criticism from US conservative policymakers.
Bloomberg revealed that the restaurant’s Purpose & Impact website removed several mentions of ESG, with one title changing from ‘ESG Approach & Progress’ to ‘Our Approach & Progress’, while ‘Performance & ESG Reporting’, now shows up as ‘Goal Performance & Reporting’.
In some instances, McDonald’s subbed the phrase “environmental and social issues” for the ESG abbreviation, although most of the other text remains similar.
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McDonald’s declined to comment on the changes but emphasised its commitment to annual reporting on social and environmental progress.
“As the leading global foodservice retailer, we believe we have a responsibility to ensure sustainable value creation for shareholders while acting on our most pressing environmental, social and governance challenges,” said president and CEO Chris Kempczinski in the recent 2022 – 2023 report.
Much of the US has faced a backlash against ESG-related proposals, with negative sentiment from conservative politicians and policymakers ultimately affecting workers’ rights and diversity legislation.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s UK website says it is: “working with suppliers to reduce emissions right across our supply chains, in line with the 1.5°C scenario, by 2030. We will continue to reduce and then neutralise any remaining emissions to achieve net zero for our entire business by 2040.”
