How we’ll achieve it

We’re challenging ourselves to lead change across four key areas: Planet, People, Restaurants and Food. That means achieving net zero and protecting and restoring nature. Championing great people, whatever their background. And sourcing quality, sustainable ingredients that provide more balanced and tastier options. All served in restaurants that are built for the future and close the loop on waste.

We’ve set out goals in each of our focus areas to help guide our actions. We will measure and share our progress against these because we know how important it is for us to deliver and to be clear on how we are doing – as every change we make, adds up to a lot.

Our Plan on a page

Download a PDF of our Plan for Change.

Net zero standards and definitions

Take a look at the technical standards and definitions for net zero.

Our Plan for Change definitions

Find out more about what we mean by some of the languages in our Plan.

The detail behind our Plan

All our commitments and goals in one place.

Planet Positive

Climate positive

We will aim to reach net zero emissions by 2040 across our entire business and value chain to have a positive impact on climate.

  By 2030 achieve net zero emissions for all our restaurants and offices.

By 2040 achieve net zero emissions for our entire business and value chain, working with our suppliers and franchisees to have a positive impact on climate

 

By 2050 our entire business and value chain will be climate positive, removing more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than we create.

 

Find out more about how we define the term Climate net zero.

Find out more at our Planet Positive page.

Nature positive

We will lead the way in championing sustainable practices and harnessing innovation, to protect forests and promote soil health, biodiversity and water management to have a positive impact on nature.

By 2023 launch our nature positive programme in order to scale innovative nature-based solutions

By 2025 have regenerative agriculture initiatives in each of our priority supply chains to promote soil health, water management and biodiversity

By the end of 2025 soy used in our ingredients and in the animal feed in our supply chain will be deforestation free.

By 2030 the global McDonald’s business will have eliminated deforestation from our supply chains

           

* Product scope includes soy sourced for feed of livestock used in McDonald's products. It also includes soy used directly as an ingredient

Find out more at our Planet Positive page.

Great Food

Sustainable sourcing

We will source quality ingredients produced by progressive farmers to leading animal welfare and environmental standards.

By 2023 develop a Plan for Change Scorecard in collaboration with independent experts, to expand and embed ethical and sustainability criteria in our sourcing decisions

By 2025 support resilient livelihoods and sustainable outcomes through McDonald’s Farm Forward, benefiting over 23,000 British and Irish Farmers

By 2025 engage 10 million families, and connect them to farming, nature and the future of sustainable food

By 2030 have kick-started over 100 careers in food and farming for young people from diverse backgrounds through our McDonald’s Young Talent programme

Delivering more choice

We will lead by helping customers make more balanced choices that don’t compromise on taste, convenience or price.

From 2021 conduct ongoing positive behaviour change research and implement findings across our order channels to inspire our customers to make more balanced choices

By 2022 launch the McDonald’s Nutrition Innovation Council, to create recipe reformulations and innovations that support more balanced choices that taste delicious

By 2022 develop nutrition criteria in line with recognised guidelines, working with advice from the British Nutrition Foundation, to better define the choices we offer on our menu

By 2023 help customers to navigate our menu by refreshing our menu signposting and nutrition labelling

By 2025 have a market leading vegan plant-based food and drinks offering

By 2026 a minimum of 50% of our products available across the total of our restaurants, excluding promo products, will meet our nutrition criteria

Find out more about the British Nutrition Foundation here.

Find out more at our Great Food page.

Great Restaurants 

Net zero standard restaurants

We will aim to transition all our restaurants to a UK industry net zero emissions standard.

From 2022 launch our first UK industry net zero emissions standard restaurant and create a blueprint for freehold new builds

From 2023 furniture in new and refurbished restaurants will be made from recycled or certified materials that can be recycled or reused at end of life

By 2030 achieve net zero emissions for all our restaurants and offices

         

Find out more about how we define the term Net zero emissions standard.

Closing the loop on waste

We will create a circular system where our packaging and waste has a second life.

By 2024 our customer packaging will be made from renewable, recycled or certified sources and will be fully recyclable or compostable

By 2027 give the waste collected from our restaurants a second life by recycling, reusing or composting

By 2030 reduce the amount of material used across packaging in customer and kitchen areas in the McDonald’s system by 20% versus 2020

Find out more at our Great Restaurants page.

*annual reduction compared to 2020

People Positive

Opening doors to jobs

We will help our communities gain new skills and open doors through training, work experience and equal employment opportunities.

By 2024, support youth services through every restaurant.

  By 2025 have supported 3,000 apprentices

  By 2030 help one million people gain new skills and open doors to jobs

Inclusive and diverse

From our senior leaders to our restaurant teams, we will reflect the diverse communities we are part of and stand up for individuality and equality.

By 2024 we will work with our supplier partners and franchisees to advance social inclusion through a Mutual DE&I Commitment

By 2025 40% of participants in our new corporate placement and internship programme for our restaurant employees will be from underrepresented groups

By 2030 reach and maintain gender balance within our senior leadership roles and ensure 40% of all senior leadership roles are held by people from underrepresented groups

   

Find out more at our People Positive page.

Other key reports and policies

Gender Pay Gap Report

Modern Slavery Statement

Human Rights in our Supply Chain

Order McDelivery® through our app to earn Rewards Points

Select a delivery partner to continue
Choose our app or one of our McDelivery® partners.
Just letting you know that you’re leaving the McDonald’s UK website now. We’re not responsible for the policies and practices of other companies, so we always recommend that you have a look at the privacy policy and other policies of any website you visit, as they might be different from ours.