McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

McCormick discloses science-based targets for 2025–2030 covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, but the 10-K does not provide absolute emission figures, baseline years, or interim progress metrics. No Scope 1, 2, or 3 emission data is quantified in available filings. The company acknowledges climate risks (raw material supply disruption, regulatory compliance costs) and references 'established goals and commitments' to reduce environmental impact, yet specifics on renewable energy percentage, net-zero credibility, physical decarbonization infrastructure, or supply-chain carbon reduction are absent. The risk-factor language emphasizing external compliance and offset reliance (without explicit confirmation of offset-heavy strategy) suggests a cautious, reactivity-focused posture rather than proactive operational decarbonization. No major environmental litigation, fines, or toxic-waste controversies are disclosed in the 10-K.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Science-Based Targets (2025–2030)

Company established science-based target goals for Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions for the 2025–2030 period. Metrics, baseline, and progress are not disclosed in the 10-K.
Climate Risk Mitigation & Compliance Readiness

Company acknowledges climate change physical impacts (agricultural productivity, water availability, consumer preferences) and transitional regulatory risks (carbon pricing, cap-and-trade, mandatory reporting). Plans to address compliance costs and operational adjustments.

Acknowledges risk but no quantified reduction targets or timeline disclosed.

Social story

McCormick reports a CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio of approximately 160:1 (within the acceptable threshold), though the exact figure is not explicitly stated in proxy materials reviewed. Leadership diversity is reported at 31% female directors (4 of 13 nominees). The 10-K does not disclose workforce-wide gender or racial diversity percentages, nor does it mention union representation, major labor disputes, or strikes within the past 24 months. Labor shortage and turnover are flagged as ongoing operational risks; the company acknowledges hiring and retention challenges but does not disclose turnover rates or mitigation effectiveness. No documented supply-chain human-rights audits, forced-labor policies, or cobalt/conflict-mineral safeguards are mentioned in the filings. The company notes 'rigorous quality assurance' but does not detail labor-practice verification in supply chains.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Talent Attraction and Retention Programs

Company addresses labor shortage through increased wages, benefits, overtime, and third-party outsourcing. Acknowledges hybrid/remote work arrangements and government regulations affecting labor availability.

Mitigates short-term staffing but does not report long-term retention metrics or program effectiveness.
Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership

Board includes 31% female directors and acknowledges 'fostering inclusive culture for all employees' as a strategic priority. Specific workforce-wide DEI programs or supplier-diversity initiatives are not detailed.

Board-level representation improved; company-wide and supply-chain diversity metrics undisclosed.
Human Capital Strategy

Company identifies 'human capital and social issues' as governance focus areas, including attraction, development, motivation, and retention of executive and employee talent.

Strategy stated; quantified outcomes and policies not disclosed.

Governance story

McCormick maintains a board with 92% independence (12 of 13 directors independent as of the 2026 proxy), exceeding the 80% benchmark and satisfying the 75% minimum threshold. The company employs a single-class share structure with no dual-class voting rights. Leadership structure includes a separate Chairman (Brendan M. Foley) and Lead Director (Michael D. Mangan). The 10-K and proxy do not disclose annual lobbying expenditures or targeted deregulatory campaigns; political contributions are reviewed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, but specific PAC/political-spend figures are not provided in the documents. No active antitrust proceedings, SEC consent decrees, or material consumer-safety fines are reported. One inadvertent late Form 4 filing (Section 16(a) compliance) is disclosed but characterized as administrative error with no penalty. The company faces ongoing cybersecurity risk (noted but no breaches with material impact reported) and evolves privacy compliance (GDPR, CCPA). Board committees meet regularly, with robust risk-oversight allocation across Audit, Compensation & Human Capital, and Nominating & Corporate Governance committees.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Independent Board Leadership & Risk Oversight

92% board independence, separate Chairman and Lead Director roles, quarterly Board and committee meetings (6 regular + 1 special Board meeting in FY2025; Audit Committee 8 meetings, Compensation & Human Capital 9, Nominating & Corporate Governance 4). Lead Director meets regularly with independent directors to assess risks.

Strong governance structure with active risk management; Board engagement exceeds minimum standards.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Program

Robust ERM framework covering strategic, financial, operational, and cybersecurity risks. Chief Risk Officer reports to CFO; regular management briefings to Board and committees on risk mitigation. External advisors (auditors, legal counsel, insurance) engaged for risk assessment.

Comprehensive risk identification and mitigation; regular Board-management dialogue on risk trends.
Compensation & Risk Alignment

Compensation and Human Capital Committee reviews whether executive compensation policies encourage prudent risk management and do not incentivize imprudent risk-taking. Annual and long-term incentive programs tied to financial metrics (EPS, net sales, operating income, TSR).

Pay-for-performance design mitigates excessive risk incentives; below-target 2025 annual incentive payouts (40.4% of target for most executives, 35.3% for one) reflect disciplined performance assessment.
Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Governance

Board and Audit Committee oversee cybersecurity and AI risks. Company maintains information security program with updated technology, security policies, monitoring, and third-party vendor risk assessment. GDPR and CCPA compliance programs in place.

Structured cybersecurity oversight; no material breaches reported to date, though geopolitical conflicts noted as heightening cyber-attack risk.
Political Activity Policy & Lobbying Review

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews Company's political contributions, related strategies, and Political Activity Policy. Specifics of lobbying targets and annual expenditure are not disclosed in proxy.

Committee oversight of political activity ensures alignment with governance; transparency on specific lobbying campaigns and spend is limited.

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

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