No, Nike is not ethical. It has definitely made positive changes to its environmental practices, but it still has a way to go before we can truly call it an “ethical” brand. Nike uses some eco-friendly materials, but there’s no evidence it guarantees living wages in most of its supply chain. In 2021, Nike received a score of 51-60% on the Fashion Transparency Index, showing it has started going in the right direction.

44 Of The World鈥檚 Most Ethical Companies

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44 Of The World鈥檚 Most Ethical Companies

Written by: Nikola Geme拧
Updated by: Samira Tasneem
Last Updated: January 7, 2025

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More customers now choose to support ethical brands that provide equal employment, fair wages, a transparent supply chain, and measurable environmental efforts. These companies are doing it right.

For a generation of Americans that accounts for more than $1 trillion in consumer spending, buying is more than just a transaction. For Millennials and Generation Z, every purchase is a chance to make a difference.

These young people often choose to support ethical companies that promote transparent and ethical business practices, use sustainable materials, and are aware of their social impact.

While for some brands, ethics equals reducing risks by 鈥渄oing no harm,鈥� other companies have realized a huge potential of business ethics.

Let鈥檚 look at some of the world鈥檚 most ethical companies, as well as honorable mentions.

Please note that all logos and trademarks displayed on this blog are the property of their respective owners. They are used here solely for the purposes of discussion and commentary.

24 Most Ethical Companies

1. Aflac Incorporated - 16 Times Honoree

Aflac is the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the US. It is the only insurance company that has been an Ethisphere honoree for 16 consecutive years.

One year after issuing its听first sustainability bond, the company has allocated $252 million to Framework categories like Communities, Green Buildings, Renewable Energy, and Socioeconomic Advancement and Empowerment. ()听听听

Aflac鈥檚 policy of听fair employment听starts at the top, as 64% of its board members are听ethnic minorities or women.听

In the previous years, Aflac has contributed more than $172 million to help听children with cancer in the US and Japan.听

2. Ecolab - 16 Times Honoree

Another 16 times honoree, Ecolab is the global leader in听water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions听and services with nearly three million customer locations.听

Using data-driven insights and premium service,听Ecolab is a partner in more than 40 industries听鈥� from restaurants and hotels to power and manufacturing facilities. 听听

Their strategy is based on chemistry and digital technology working hand in hand to deliver听customized solutions that听minimize human and environmental impact.听

In 2019, Ecolab solutions helped their worldwide partners:

3. International Paper - 16 Times Honoree

One of the leading producers of fiber-based products, International paper has a long roster of ethical and sustainable practices contained in the so-called听IP Way Forward.听

This way of doing business is based on听sustaining forests, investing in people, and improving our planet, all at the same time while creating innovative products and inspiring performance.听

Through responsible forestry, IP is ensuring the听health of forest ecosystems. One of their targets is to be able to source 100% of their fiber from sustainably managed forests by 2030.听

In 2020, the company has achieved a听26% reduction in manufacturing waste听being sent to landfills.听

4. Kao Corporation - 16 Times Honoree

Since its foundation in 1887, Kao has always put their customers first. This spirit reflects in their Environmental, Social, and Governance strategy known as Kirei.听

Kirei means听鈥渓iving a beautiful life inside and out鈥�. It has three principles:

Kao definitely puts their money where their mouth is.听

Using leftover material from extracting edible palm oil, they developed听Bio IOS, a sustainable surfactant to be used in cleaning products. 听听

Kao Corporation is constantly developing products that听encourage consumers to use refill packs听and concentrated products,听aiming for zero waste.

5. Milliken & Company - 16 Times Honoree

Milliken is another industrial manufacturer that routinely makes it to the most ethical companies in the world list.听

Even though their products are meant to make the world healthier and better, their ethical work goes much beyond their chemicals and textiles.听

Proud of its environmental responsibility, Milliken has developed ambitious听corporate sustainability goals for 2025, including:

An inclusive community of associates.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and solid waste by 25%.
Zero waste to landfills.
Increase in renewable energy use 10x.
New products based on Life Cycle Analysis principles.

6. PepsiCo - 16 Times Honoree

There鈥檚 little more to say about one of the world鈥檚 most ethical companies. Managing a formidable beverage and food portfolio. PepsiCo puts sustainability at the center of its growth and creating value.听

PepsiCo is applying sustainable agricultural practices which include听using cover crops听to help听sequester carbon and build soil health.

Their Net Water Positive ambition looks to听reduce absolute water use听and replenish into the local watershed more than 100% of the water used at company-owned sites.听

Sustainability extends to their product packaging, as the company is helping innovate the future of packaging,听improve recycling infrastructure听and educate consumers. 听

7. Accenture - 15 Times Honoree

This multinational professional services company is a world leader in services ranging from artificial intelligence and automation to infrastructure and sustainability.听

Aiming to become one of the top 10 most ethical companies in 2022, Accenture has made sustainability one of its greatest responsibilities.

Accenture helps their partners make听net-zero transitions, from creating more听efficient buildings听to transport to听green energy systems.听

Through its听Responsible Citizen program, the company continues to support those most impacted by the pandemic, as well as provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities around the world.听

8. Cummins - 15 Times Honoree

Developing power solutions for a range of industries, Cummins is keeping pace with the most ethical companies.

Since 2014, more than听21.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide were cumulatively reduced听from Cummins products in use. 35 Cummins sites have achieved the company鈥檚听standard for zero disposal听in 2020.听

At the same time, the company has achieved a听record recycling rate of 93%, while also reducing annual water use by 20%.听

Finally, in 2020, Cummins has taken on more than听800 new employees working on low- and no-carbon technologies.听

So if you’re looking for听ethical companies to work for, Cummins is definitely worth a shot.听

9. Deere & Company - 15 Times Honoree

Relying on more than 180 years of experience and terabytes of customer data, John Deere knows their customers better than anyone else.听

This is why Deere aims for听occupational safety听through carefully watching for lead indicators, risk reduction, and health & safety management systems.听

In 2020, the company was looking to听reduce CO2 emissions on 90% of its products. increase the听use of sustainable materials, and听recycle 85% of total waste. In the previous year, Deere has seen an increase of women in global management positions as well as an increase of non-white employees in US management.听

10. JLL - 15 Times Honoree

JLL is a world leader in real estate services that is employing ambitious people and looking for equally ambitious clients.听

And when you have such dedicated management, it鈥檚 easy to make it to the most ethical companies list.听

Through their sustainability program, JLL is helping their clients听transition to net-zero听and听create safe and healthy living and workspaces听that promote productivity, wellbeing, and sustainability.听

The company is also providing听fair and inclusive places听that create positive social impact and equal opportunities.听

On the employee side, JLL has a very clear whistleblower and听non-retaliation policy. 听

Employees are encouraged to听report any unethical conduct听or activity ranging from breach of industry norms to unfair competition and insider trading. 听

11. Johnson Controls - 15 Times Honoree

Making buildings smarter since 1885, today Johnson Controls uses a range of systems and digital solutions that makes living and workplaces safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Although their sustainable journey began when they invented the electric thermostat in 1885, Johnson Controls are continuously improving their environmental efforts.听

In only three years, the company managed to听reduce its energy intensity by 5.5%听and听greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 26.1%.听

To their clients, Johnson Controls is offering听building optimization solutions听that deliver considerable energy savings followed by a听drop in CO2 emissions.听

12. Premier, Inc. - 15 Times Honoree

A long-time champion of highly ethical companies lists, Premier understands the importance of environmental, social, and governance practices, making them part of its business goals.听

They take a two-pronged approach to environmental management:听

In a rapidly evolving healthcare industry,听Premier is collaborating with more than 4,400 hospitals and 225,000 providers听to improve the way care is delivered.听

Such endeavors are only possible with a workforce that represents the diversity of thought but also represents different generations, ethnicities, genders, races, orientations, cultures, and life experiences.听

13. Kellogg Co. - 14 Times Honoree

The King of Cereal has a long-standing history of sustainable and ethical practices. This is definitely a company others can look up to if they want to make it to the world’s most ethical companies list.

Even in 1906, the first box of Corn Flakes came in听100% paperboard packaging. Today, they continue this legacy by working towards听100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by 2025.听

However, folks in Kellogg are aware that sustainability should start way earlier. This is why they provide training and technical听aid to farmers and workers听around the world. The goal is to help them increase productivity,听regenerate soil, protect species and habitats, and improve their livelihoods.

14. Paychex, Inc. - 14 Times Honoree

Paychex, Inc, is a leading provider of integrated human management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services.

Their听Putting Good to Work policy听includes giving back to local communities, supporting their employees beyond the workplace, and improving their environment at work and in the community.听

In 2021, 9,087 employee hours were committed to ethics and compliance training, while 99.2% of employees complete a multi-media curriculum focused on ethical behavior each year.

Nearly,听13,850 units of electronics were recycled company-wide in the same year. Paychex has also听eliminated paper from 19 sales and service training programs.

This effort听saves 190,000 sheets of paper听a year!听

15. Rockwell Automation - 14 Times Honoree

A leader in industrial automation and digitization for a number of industries, Rockwell Automation makes it to the most ethical companies list by helping others make the world more productive and more sustainable.听

To that end, their 2021 Sustainability Report is impressive.

The company has generated $1.8 billion of revenue from听energy efficiency-related products.听

Thanks to high workplace safety standards, the workplace-related injury rate was only 0.27 per 100 employees.听听听

Nearly $256 million was spent with diverse suppliers including small businesses, veterans, minorities, women, and LGBTQ-owned US enterprises.听

16. Starbucks - 14 Times Honoree

Welcoming millions of coffee connoisseurs each week, Starbucks is a household name for a coffeehouse.听

And in the company they are well aware that with popularity comes great social and environmental responsibility.听

Since Starbucks buys 3% of the world鈥檚 coffee beans, it makes sure that听99% of it is ethically sourced. However, their program extends to听giving back to communities听where the coffee comes from. 听

The company has a rich portfolio of resource conservation.听

Apart from expanding plant-based menu options, their 2030 commitments include听replacing single-use with reusable packaging, and听investing in more responsible stores, and supply chains.

17. L鈥橭r茅al - 13 Times Honoree

L鈥橭r茅al believes that the quest for beauty goes beyond mere appearance 鈥� into a sense of belonging and self-realization.听

This is why the program called 鈥淟鈥橭r茅al for the Future鈥� embodies their view as to what a company鈥檚 responsibilities towards environmental changes should be.听听

For more than 20 years, the company has worked to听reduce CO2 emissions听related to its industrial activities. By 2025, 100% of all sites will be carbon neutral.听

By that time, L鈥橭r茅al plans to completely replace听single-use packaging with refillable, reusable, recyclable, or compostable alternatives.听

For over 40 years, L鈥橭r茅al has听said 鈥淣o鈥� to testing on animals.听

18. ManpowerGroup - 13 Times Honoree

From contingent and permanent staffing to talent management and outsourcing, ManPower Group is helping its clients address the complex workforce challenges of today.听听

For more than 70 years, they have believed that sustainable employment can change the world. Now this company extends its belief to a series of听science-based targets.

ManpowerGroup commits to听cutting greenhouse gas emissions听and plans to reach听net-zero by 2045 or sooner.听

Throughout the pandemic, they have leveraged their expertise, technology, and partnerships to help employees safely return to work. The company has also supported 26,000 of its global employees with the launch of the听OneLife Wellbeing program听and a suite of wellness programs.

19. Parsons Corporation - 13 Times Honoree

A digitally enabled solutions provider, Parsons Corporation has made it to the best ethical companies list by holding people as its greatest asset.

To that end, the company has a听strong inclusion and diversity program听with a special commitment to veterans and transitioning service members.听

With sustainability as one of its core values, the company implements best practices to听minimize its carbon footprint.听

Partnering with property owners in their leased office spaces, they听implement energy-saving lighting and HVAC retrofits. To reduce transportation emissions, Parsons allows employees to work from home on a part-time or full-time basis. 听

20. Salesforce - 13 Times Honoree

Running the world鈥檚 #1 customer relationship management (CRM) platform, Salesforce helps marketing, sales, and IT teams work as one from any location.听听

Adhering to its cloud-based philosophy, Salesforce has听net zero emissions across the full value chain, alongside achieving听100% renewable energy听for its operations.听

Through their automated eCommerce solutions, Salesforce is helping the world鈥檚 largest businesses transition to net-zero while听sequestering 100 gigatons of carbon.听

As a founding partner of 1t.org, the company is committed to听planting 1 trillion trees and protecting the ocean, which is one of the largest carbon sinks on our planet.听

21. Teradata Corporation - 13 Times Honoree

Teradata is a multi-cloud data platform company that transforms how businesses work and people live through the power of data.听

The company is committed to addressing global environmental challenges by launching and taking part in initiatives that improve business sustainability with a focus on energy, carbon emissions, waste, and water.听

The same level of integrity to which Teradata holds itself also extends to its suppliers. Their supply chain management听addresses human rights, supplier diversity, and sustainable mineral sourcing.听

To reduce the environmental impact of its operations, the company is pioneering programs for video conferencing, virtual employment,听recycling, and energy conservation.听

22. The Hartford - 13 Times Honoree

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits, and mutual funds.听

Apart from customer service excellence, trust, and integrity, the company is widely recognized for its sustainability practices that secure its place on the world’s most ethical companies 2022 list.

This shouldn鈥檛 surprise us if we know that sustainability has been at the core of their business for more than 200 years. When a disaster hits, Hartford is ready to provide听durable solutions.

The company has made $2.5 billion in new investments made over the next 5 years that will have a听positive impact on clean energy transition and climate. 听

23. Weyerhaeuser Company - 13 Times Honoree

Weyerhaeuser is managing the most sustainable, versatile resource on earth 鈥� forests. While using trees to craft products that people need, the company does it the right way so that听forests stay forever.听

Recognizing that听lands and habitats听have special value to people who live in nearby communities, Weyerhaeuser works with environmental, recreation, and wildlife organizations to ensure听conservation transactions.

This 13-time Ethisphere honoree also grants easements on its land to reputable businesses that identify, premier, and听build wind and solar projects. 听

24. WM - 13 Times Honoree

More than just a waste management company, WM is helping people and businesses achieve their sustainability goals.听

Driven by a focus on maximizing resource value while minimizing environmental impact, the company is听tackling climate change and social inequities听on different levels.听

Their collection trucks run on听compressed natural gas (CNG)听as they roll in and out of neighborhoods where they pick up waste for recycling. 听

Former reclaimed landfills are听becoming solar fields with prime locations, as they are always close to existing infrastructure.

Honorable Mentions: Are These Well-Known Companies Ethical?

Here are some of the honorable mentions. These industry leaders are relatively new in the club of top ethical companies.听

However, their dedication and unwavering pursuit of social justice and sustainable practices are already making change and motivating many others to join the cause.听

Apple
AT&T
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Canon U.S.A.
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Dell Technologies
General Motors Company
Hasbro, Inc.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Honeywell International Inc.
IBM
Intel Corporation
Kohl’s
Mastercard
Microsoft Corporation
Nokia
Pfizer Inc
Sony Group Corporation
U.S. Bank
Visa Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an ethical company?

Improper disposal can lead to environmental hazards, including soil and water contamination. Even seemingly empty lighters can still contain hazardous materials.

Is Tesla an ethical company?

No, Tesla is not an ethical company. Although the company states that all supply chain practices are safe and humane, the company has been under criticism for a history of environmental violations and disregard for workers鈥� safety.

Is H&M ethical in 2022?

No, H&M is still not ethical in 2022. The company aims to reduce its emissions and use 100% recycled or sustainable materials by 2030, but it still fails to deliver on labor conditions and living wages. The fast-fashion business model that H&M currently uses still remains questionable from an ethical standpoint.

Is Nike ethical?

No, Nike is not ethical. It has definitely made positive changes to its environmental practices, but it still has a way to go before we can truly call it an 鈥渆thical鈥� brand. Nike uses some eco-friendly materials, but there鈥檚 no evidence it guarantees living wages in most of its supply chain. In 2021, Nike received a score of 51-60% on the Fashion Transparency Index, showing it has started going in the right direction.

How ethical is Starbucks?

Starbucks is a very ethical company. A 14-time honoree of the Ethisphere magazine, this coffeehouse giant is investing heavily in sustainable agriculture and water-saving practices. Apart from phasing out single-use cups, Starbucks has recently launched recycling apps to help partners navigate store recycling guidelines.

What is the most ethical clothing brand?

The most ethical clothing brand is Patagonia. This company is one of the earliest flag carriers of environmental ethics in the industry best known for its Fair Trade outdoor clothing. It was one of the first to use recycled materials and organic cotton. In 2022, Patagonia is expanding its commitment to labor ethics and works with US factories as often as it can.

What food companies are ethical?

Among the most ethical food companies in the world are Kellogg鈥檚, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Grupo Bimbo, Illycaffe Spa, Ingredion, and Mars.

What are ethical products?

Ethical products are those that do not cause any harm to the consumers or the planet. Ethical products do not encourage addictive behavior or promote harmful information. Ethical products do not contribute to climate change and pollution in any of their stages.

Is Coca-Cola good for the environment?

No, Coca-Cola is not good for the environment. The company strives to treat and return 100% of its manufacturing water back to the environment and use minimal packing but environmental organizations still list it among the worst companies for plastic pollution in the world.

How sustainable is Starbucks?

Starbucks is very sustainable. Year after year, the company is building up its sustainability record. It aims to halve water usage in green coffee processing by 2030. This is one step towards its ultimate goal of becoming resource positive, which means storing more carbon than it emits, eliminating waste, and providing more freshwater than it uses.

Is H&M Conscious sustainable?

No, H&M Conscious is not sustainable. Those products are marketed as using up to 50% recycled material (20% for cotton products), but their explanation is lacking in detail about the types of items they鈥檙e recycling, how they鈥檙e recycled, and what the carbon footprint is compared to their other ranges.

Conclusion

Ethical companies are different from green or eco-friendly companies in the sense that their sustainability statement also includes social responsibility, such as fair wages, a transparent supply chain, and good working conditions.听

If you鈥檇 like to work at a company that鈥檚 similar to the ones on this list, you can visit our Green Jobs board for available ethical jobs in your area.

Nikola Geme拧

Nikola, an electrical engineer, simplifies intricate sustainability subjects for his audience. A staunch environmental conservationist, he embodies his beliefs daily through recycling and cultivating his own food.

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