Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Autodesk has not disclosed Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions data in the provided 10-K or proxy materials. No net-zero target year is stated. The company's 10-K extensively discusses AI and cloud expansion but does not address direct carbon emissions, renewable energy procurement, or decarbonization initiatives. The risk factors acknowledge AI datacenter power consumption risks but provide no mitigation plan. Absence of disclosed environmental metrics and targets, combined with acknowledged growth in cloud infrastructure intensity, results in a below-average environmental score pending verification of undisclosed sustainability reports.

Criticisms on file

No disclosed Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions; no net-zero target or sustainability commitments visible in SEC filings.
Source: ADSK 10-K 2026; ADSK Proxy 2026
Risk factor explicitly states AI and cloud expansion may significantly increase operational carbon intensity, with no mitigation strategy disclosed.
Source: ADSK 10-K Risk Factors section

Disclosed initiatives

Cloud Infrastructure Strategy

Autodesk is shifting to cloud-based and SaaS delivery models, which may improve operational efficiency but increases electricity consumption for data centers.

Potentially positive if powered by renewables; risk of increased Scope 3 emissions if not managed.

Social story

Autodesk reports a highly independent and diverse Board (10 of 11 directors independent; 3 female directors out of 11; representation from Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African American backgrounds). CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio not disclosed in provided materials; cannot assess compliance with 200:1 threshold. No documented active union-suppression activities or major strikes reported in 24 months. Turnover rate not disclosed. Supply-chain audits regarding human-rights hazards (e.g., cobalt, lithium) are not mentioned. Diversity in technical and executive leadership is not quantified. The company has undergone two major restructurings (2026 Plan and January 2026 Plan) with potential for attrition risk, but no evidence of labor violations.

Criticisms on file

CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio not disclosed; cannot verify compliance with reasonable pay equity standards.
Source: ADSK Proxy 2026 (CEO Pay Ratio section exists but does not appear in provided excerpt)
Two major restructurings announced in fiscal 2026 with acknowledged risks of unplanned attrition, loss of knowledge, and reduced employee morale.
Source: ADSK 10-K Risk Factors: 'We may not successfully execute or achieve the expected benefits of our restructuring plan'
Supply-chain human-rights audits, living-wage commitments, or conflict minerals policies not disclosed in provided materials.
Source: ADSK 10-K; ADSK Proxy (absence of disclosure)

Disclosed initiatives

Board Diversity and Refreshment

Board includes women and individuals from underrepresented communities. Recent appointments include Dr. Ayanna Howard, Omar Abbosh, and A. Christine Simons. Average director tenure ~4.8 years balances institutional knowledge with fresh perspectives.

Positive governance signal; supports diverse viewpoints in oversight.
Majority-Independent Board Structure

10 of 11 directors are independent; all committees are fully independent. Chair and CEO roles are separated.

Reduces agency risk; enhances accountability to shareholders.
Restructuring Initiatives (2026 Plan and January 2026 Plan)

Two major workforce optimization programs to reallocate resources to cloud, AI, and platform investments. Potential personnel attrition and productivity disruption acknowledged.

Short-term social risk (employee morale, knowledge loss); long-term strategic repositioning.

Governance story

Autodesk demonstrates strong governance practices with 10 of 11 directors independent (91%), all three committees fully independent, separated Chair and CEO roles, and annual majority voting for director elections. Dual-class share structure is not reported. Board conducts active stockholder engagement (>50% of shares engaged in FY2026). However, significant governance challenges exist: (1) Audit Committee internal investigation (2024) regarding free cash flow and non-GAAP margin disclosures resulted in SEC and DOJ closures but created reputational and legal cost; (2) shareholder litigation pending related to the investigation; (3) lobbying expenditures and PAC contributions not itemized in provided materials; (4) officer exculpation amendment proposed (Proposal 4), reducing officer accountability for breach of fiduciary duty. The company resists lowering special-meeting threshold from 25% to 10%, citing governance caution. No active antitrust proceedings disclosed; privacy/cybersecurity regulatory risks are acknowledged but no fines reported to date.

Criticisms on file

Audit Committee internal investigation (April–May 2024) regarding free cash flow and non-GAAP operating margin disclosure practices. SEC notified (voluntary), and USAO contacted. SEC closed investigation August 19, 2025; USAO closed August 21, 2025.
Source: ADSK 10-K Risk Factors: 'The Audit Committee internal investigation...'
Shareholder litigation pending against Autodesk and certain officers/directors arising from the internal investigation announcement.
Source: ADSK 10-K: 'In addition, we and certain of our officers and directors have been named in purported shareholder litigation arising out of our announcement of the investigation.'
Proposed amendment to Certificate of Incorporation (Proposal 4) to permit officer exculpation for breach of fiduciary duty, reducing accountability of officers to shareholders.
Source: ADSK Proxy 2026 Proposal Four
Board opposes reducing special-meeting threshold from 25% to 10% (Proposal 5), citing governance caution and cost/disruption concerns, despite majority-held industry trend toward 10–25% thresholds.
Source: ADSK Proxy 2026 Proposal Five and Company Statement in Opposition
Lobbying expenditures and PAC contributions not itemized in proxy or 10-K excerpts provided; no disclosed stance on climate deregulation or anti-consumer-protection efforts.
Source: ADSK 10-K; ADSK Proxy (absence of detailed disclosure)

Disclosed initiatives

Strong Board Independence and Committee Structure

10 of 11 directors independent; all three committees (Audit, Compensation, Corporate Governance & Nominating) fully independent; independent Chair (Stacy J. Smith).

Reduces conflicts of interest; enhances objective oversight.
Active Stockholder Engagement Program

Management and independent directors engaged stockholders representing >50% of outstanding shares in FY2026; feedback incorporated into Board decisions.

Increases Board responsiveness and legitimacy.
Annual Director Elections and Majority Voting

All directors elected annually; majority voting standard in uncontested elections; proxy access rights on market terms.

Ensures director accountability; supports shareholder influence.
Board Refreshment Strategy (Evergreen Process)

Regular evaluation of Board composition; 7 new directors appointed over past 5 years; balance of tenure and fresh perspectives; average tenure ~4.8 years.

Maintains institutional knowledge while reducing entrenchment risk.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Autodesk, Inc.. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Autodesk, Inc. in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

More in Technology

Apple Inc. (AAPL) Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) Oracle Corporation (ORCL)