Greif, Inc. (GEF) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Greif faces significant environmental headwinds. The company disclosed a 2030 GHG reduction target (28% Scope 1&2 from 2019 baseline) but no disclosed Scope 3 emissions or net-zero long-term commitment, triggering mandatory deductions. Supply-chain reliance on steel, resin, and recycled materials exposes it to volatile carbon-intensive sourcing. EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation compliance requires PCR incorporation by 2030, creating cost and supply-chain risks. The company acknowledges energy-cost volatility in Europe due to geopolitical conflict and is seeking alternative energy sources, but implementation timelines are unclear. PFAS regulatory scrutiny poses emerging liability risk. No evidence of major environmental fines or toxic-waste controversies in the filings reviewed, but the absence of disclosed Scope 3 emissions data and a post-2045 net-zero target represents material greenwashing risk.

Criticisms on file

Scope 3 emissions undisclosed; no disclosed net-zero long-term target; 2030 target represents only interim step
Source: GEF 10-K Item 1A Risk Factors; MD&A references 2030 target but no long-term net-zero commitment stated
PFAS regulatory exposure; governmental inquiries and class-action litigation risk in U.S., Europe, and other jurisdictions
Source: GEF 10-K Item 1A Risk Factors - Legislation/Regulation Related to Environmental and Health and Safety Matters
EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation compliance burden; PCR supply-chain constraints and price volatility
Source: GEF 10-K Item 1A Risk Factors - Raw Material Shortages and Energy/Transportation sections
Energy cost volatility in Europe due to Russia-Ukraine conflict; alternative energy timelines unclear
Source: GEF 10-K Item 1A Risk Factors - Energy and Transportation Price Fluctuations; MD&A Global Operations discussion

Disclosed initiatives

2030 GHG Reduction Target

Announced April 2021: reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 28% from 2019 baseline by 2030

Operational emissions reduction target; relies on energy efficiency and alternative energy, but execution risks remain high
Alternative Energy Sourcing

Pursuing alternative energy resources in Europe and other regions to mitigate geopolitical energy-cost volatility

Multi-year implementation; cost and timeline uncertain
PCR Product Development

Developing post-consumer resin offerings and downgauging portfolio to meet EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation and customer demand

Required for regulatory compliance; increases sourcing complexity

Social story

Greif maintains moderate social governance with notable union representation (38% of workforce) and demonstrated labor-relations risk tolerance. CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio undisclosed, preventing full assessment under the rubric. The company acknowledges labor-market tightness and competitive wage pressure but no recent evidence of aggressive union suppression or major strikes (within 24 months) in the 10-K. Leadership diversity metrics and gender/racial composition undisclosed. Supply-chain human-rights audits are not explicitly mentioned; no disclosed conflict-minerals policy, modern slavery statement, or living-wage commitment. Plant safety and occupational-health initiatives are referenced within the Greif Business System framework but no quantified safety metrics provided. The company notes 38% union representation globally as a neutral fact, indicating established labor relationships across multiple jurisdictions.

Criticisms on file

CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio undisclosed; no diversity metrics (gender/racial) disclosed for leadership or workforce
Source: GEF 10-K 10-K does not contain CEO compensation table or diversity disclosure in source documents provided
Supply-chain human-rights audits and conflict-minerals policy not explicitly disclosed; no modern slavery statement or living-wage commitment mentioned
Source: GEF 10-K Item 1A Risk Factors; MD&A contains no supply-chain ethics or human-rights audit disclosure
Work-stoppage and strike risk acknowledged for future labor relations; 38% union representation creates potential for production disruption
Source: GEF 10-K Item 1A Risk Factors - Our Business may be Adversely Impacted by Work Stoppages and Other Labor Relations Matters

Disclosed initiatives

Greif Business System 2.0

Continuous improvement focus on safety, people, mindset and culture; 20-year operational framework accelerated to 2.0 version

Stated goal of improved productivity and efficiency; safety framework emphasized but no quantified metrics disclosed
Talent Attraction and Retention Programs

Company acknowledges competitive labor market and ongoing hiring challenges; references need for succession planning for key executives

Competitive pressure acknowledged; no specific wage-equity or diversity metrics disclosed
Labor Relations Neutrality

Company maintains collective bargaining agreements with union representatives covering 38% of workforce

Established labor relationships; no evidence of active adversarial union suppression

Governance story

Greif exhibits mixed governance profile. No dual-class share structure disclosed, meeting baseline independence standard. Board independence percentage undisclosed, preventing full assessment but no evidence of supermajority founder voting control. Lobbying expenditures and PAC contributions undisclosed; unable to assess climate-deregulation or consumer-protection alignment. The company has not faced significant antitrust, financial-fraud, or consumer-safety regulatory proceedings disclosed in the 10-K. However, the company acknowledges exposure to product-liability claims, environmental regulatory actions, and potential PFAS litigation. Compliance burdens related to SEC climate-disclosure rules (SEC stayed implementation), California climate law, and EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are acknowledged but not yet material. The company has disclosed no major active litigation or consent decrees with regulatory agencies.

Criticisms on file

Board independence percentage undisclosed; unable to verify >75% independence threshold
Source: GEF 10-K does not disclose board composition or independence metrics in source documents provided
Lobbying expenditures and PAC contributions undisclosed; unable to assess alignment with climate or consumer-protection regulation
Source: GEF 10-K MD&A and Risk Factors do not disclose lobbying spend or political-contribution data
Emerging PFAS litigation and regulatory liability risk; governmental inquiries could result in class actions and significant fines
Source: GEF 10-K Item 1A Risk Factors - Legislation/Regulation Related to Environmental and Health and Safety Matters; Product Liability Claims
SEC climate-disclosure rule compliance uncertainty; California climate law compliance starting 2026; overlapping CSRD and CS3D obligations
Source: GEF 10-K Item 1A Risk Factors - Changing Climate, Global Climate Change Regulations

Disclosed initiatives

SEC Climate Disclosure Rule Monitoring

Company monitoring SEC final climate rules (stayed pending judicial review); expects compliance obligations for fiscal year 2026 disclosures; timeline and cost unknown

Proactive disclosure readiness; potential material compliance costs if rules survive legal challenge
EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) Compliance

Company assessing obligations under CSRD (effective 2023) and EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D, effective July 2024); compliance strategy in development

Material compliance effort expected for fiscal year 2026 reporting; overlapping U.S. and EU requirements create complexity
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Governance

Company acknowledges GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, and emerging AI-driven cyber-threat risk; IT security measures in place but no guaranteed breach prevention

Ongoing compliance cost and reputational risk; no material breaches reported to date

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Greif, 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 Greif, Inc. in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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