Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Mondelez's environmental profile reflects a 2050 net-zero target (beyond the 2035 credibility threshold), undisclosed Scope 1/2/3 emissions data in the filings reviewed, and documented shortfalls against its own 2025 packaging recyclability and virgin-plastic-reduction commitments, including exit from the U.S. Plastics Pact. Cocoa-dependent sourcing exposes the company to climate-linked deforestation and water/agricultural risk under new EU regulation. This is descriptive research analysis and not investment advice.

Criticisms on file

Failure to meet self-set 2025 packaging recyclability and virgin-plastic-reduction targets; company exited the U.S. Plastics Pact in 2025
Source: MDLZ 2026 Proxy Statement, Item 4 Shareholder Proposal (National Legal and Policy Center) — Report on Objective Evaluation of Plastics Packaging Policies
Cocoa supply chain exposure to deforestation, water risk and climate-linked crop disruption, subject to new EU Deforestation Regulation compliance requirements
Source: MDLZ 10-K FY2025, Item 1A Risk Factors — Commodity/Climate Change risk sections

Disclosed initiatives

Net-Zero by 2050 Goal

Announced in 2021; company states achieving this goal will require significant business transformation, capital investment and development of technology that may not currently exist.

Target date beyond 2045 reduces credibility relative to leading science-based pathways.
Sustainability Oversight via Governance Committee

Governance, Membership, and Sustainability Committee oversees environmental and social sustainability policy, including responsible sourcing and supply-chain resilience.

Formal board-level oversight structure exists but disclosed operational metrics remain limited.

Social story

Social metrics show substantial unionized/works-council representation (approximately 56% of non-U.S. employees, 22% of U.S. employees) with no disclosed strikes or NLRB actions in the reviewed filings. Board-level diversity exceeds 30% on both gender and racial dimensions. Ongoing product-liability litigation alleging addictive product design, and inherent human-rights exposure tied to West African cocoa sourcing, remain unresolved risk factors. This is descriptive research analysis and not investment advice.

Criticisms on file

Bryce Martinez v. Kraft Heinz Co. Inc. et al. (filed December 2024) — product liability lawsuit naming Mondelez among food companies, alleging certain products are addictive and cause health problems
Source: MDLZ 10-K FY2025, Item 1A Risk Factors — 'We may decide or be required to recall products or be subjected to product liability claims or litigation'

Disclosed initiatives

People and Compensation Committee Human Capital Oversight

Committee reviews pay equity, talent sourcing, succession planning, workplace compliance, and employee engagement across a global workforce of approximately 91,000 employees.

Formal governance structure for human capital management.

Governance story

Governance structure features a single class of common stock, approximately 90% board independence, and a Lead Independent Director role with substantive authority offsetting the combined Chair/CEO structure. A resolved European Commission antitrust matter (settled 2024) and an active product-liability suit represent legal/regulatory risk factors. Shareholder proposals on plastics reporting and an independent board chair policy were both opposed by the Board for the 2026 Annual Meeting. This is descriptive research analysis and not investment advice.

Criticisms on file

European Commission investigation and settlement regarding alleged anti-competitive cross-border trade practices within the EEA
Source: MDLZ 10-K FY2025, MD&A — Items Affecting Comparability of Financial Results, 'European Commission legal matter'
Shareholder proposal requesting adoption of an independent board chairman policy (2026 proxy); Board recommended against
Source: MDLZ 2026 Proxy Statement, Item 5 Shareholder Proposal — Adopt Independent Board Chairman Policy

Disclosed initiatives

Lead Independent Director Structure

Lead Independent Director holds broad authority including executive session leadership, meeting agenda input, committee membership, and direct shareholder engagement, functioning in lieu of an independent board chair.

Provides a layer of independent oversight despite combined Chair/CEO role.
Political Activity Disclosure

Company discloses lobbying activity, political contributions, and trade association dues (>$50,000 annually) via its website and lobbying disclosure filings, overseen by the Governance Committee.

Transparency framework exists though specific annual dollar figures were not included in reviewed documents.

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

More in Consumer Staples

Walmart Inc. (WMT) Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) The Coca-Cola Company (KO) The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) PepsiCo Inc. (PEP)