The Detail Behind Our Plan For Change

The detail behind our Plan

Our Plan for Change, launched in 2021, sets out a clear plan with ambitious goals and actions right across our business, from farms to front counter.

<h2>The detail behind our Plan</h2>

How we’ll achieve it

This plan isn’t one change, but many, across five key areas. We’re focusing on: Planet, People, Restaurants, Food and Communities. This means achieving net zero and helping to protect and restore 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, while supporting the communities around them.

All these changes add up. With over 1,500 restaurants in Ireland and the UK, more than 170,000 people, over 23,000 Irish and British farmers and 4 million customers visiting every day, together, by changing a little we can change a lot and bring a greener, fairer future within closer reach for everyone.

Our Plan on a page

Download a PDF of our Plan for Change.

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The detail behind our Plan

All our commitments and goals in one place.

Planet Positive

Climate Positive

We aim to reach net zero emissions by 2040 across our entire business and value chain to help tackle climate change.

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

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

Find out more about our action on climate.

Nature Positive

We will champion sustainable practices and harness innovation, to protect forests and promote soil health, biodiversity and water management.

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

Find out more about our support for nature.

Net zero standards and definitions

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

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Great Food

Sustainable sourcing

We aim to 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 Irish and British 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

Find out more about how we’re working towards sustainable sourcing.

Delivering more choice

We aim to help 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 options 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.

Find out more about how we’re delivering more choice.

Great Restaurants

Net zero standard restaurants

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

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

From 2023 roll out our blueprint for UK industry net zero emissions standard restaurants to all freehold new builds

From 2023 furniture in new and refurbished restaurants will be made with recycled or certified materials and designed to 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.

Find out more about how we’re working towards net zero standard restaurants.

Closing the loop on waste

We aim to 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 designed to be 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 2023***

Find out more about how we’re closing the loop on waste.

People Positive

Opening doors to jobs

We aim to help one million people in 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

Find out more about how we’re opening doors to jobs.

Inclusive and diverse

From our senior leaders to our restaurant teams, we aim to 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 programme for our restaurant employees will be from underrepresented groups

By 2030 reach and maintain gender balance within our senior leadership roles

By 2030 ensure 40% of all senior leadership roles are held by people from underrepresented groups

Find out more about how we’re building an inclusive and diverse business.

Serving our communities

We will support and connect with local communities by focusing on families and their wellbeing, championing local and national campaigns and supporting the most vulnerable during a crisis to make a real difference.

Ronald McDonald House Charities® Ireland

Support Ronald McDonald House Charities® Ireland enabling families to stay together near the Children’s Hospital when a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Find Out More