Rising greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation are contributing to the climate crisis, an increasing threat to humanity. According to the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization, human‑caused climate change will drive increased rainfall, and global temperatures will likely exceed 2.7°F above pre‑industrial levels—surpassing the internationally agreed‑upon safety threshold.
January 2026 was the fifth-warmest in history, according to climate monitors.
Corporate actions can exacerbate warming. A 2024 study from Carbon Majors Database found that just 57 companies were linked to 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions since 2016.
If companies work to reduce their carbon footprint, they can help slow the crisis. Despite significant challenges, many companies are taking meaningful steps to lessen their environmental impact.
The World’s Greenest Companies 2026 ranking, co-presented by and Plant-A Insights honors 850 companies across 28 countries, including a wide range of industries—from financial services to pharmaceuticals and building construction.
“Companies that take meaningful action to reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency are creating value on multiple fronts,” Manuel Moerbach, CEO of Plant-A Insights, told . “By reducing their environmental footprint, organizations are not only helping to protect global ecosystems but also strengthening their brand reputation, deepening customer trust, and increasing investor confidence.”
Companies large and small are working to reduce greenhouse emissions, lower water usage, invest in waste generation and be more transparent with sustainability disclosures and commitments. It’s not easy. Many have set ambitious science-based targets, some of which are noted in the ranking.
“For Adobe, sustainability is woven into how we operate, the products and technologies we create and the way we grow our business – from achieving 100 percent renewable electricity across our operations to investing in green campuses. These efforts strengthen our business, helping us do more to enable creative expression and digital innovation, while making a positive impact on employees, customers and the communities in which we live and work,” Amy White, global head of corporate social responsibility at Adobe, told .
Adobe is one of the top-ranked World’s Greenest Companies.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is one corporate climate action organization helping companies combat climate change. The organization has developed a Corporate Net-Zero Standard, as well as specialized guidance for specific sectors. These tools give companies a clear path forward on how to align their corporate environmental strategies with science.
Businesses have an outsize impact on climate change because they have more control over supply chains and use greater energy consumption than individuals. That also means they can be powerful change agents. Investing in renewable energy and more efficient technologies, prioritizing low-carbon transport, recycling materials and reducing hazardous chemicals are just a few ways companies can use their power to mitigate climate change.
Governments can also help by setting regional mandates. California, for example, requires public disclosing of climate-related financial risks, carbon offset claims and emissions for companies of a certain size.
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