Tractor Supply Rescinds Environmental and Diversity Goals Amid Backlash

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) has reversed its environmental and diversity goals due to customer dissatisfaction. The company will no longer aim for net-zero emissions by 2040 and will halt efforts to increase diversity among managers. Instead, Tractor Supply will focus on rural initiatives and animal welfare, discontinuing support for pride festivals and voting campaigns. The move comes amid a broader trend of companies rethinking DEI targets for executive pay.

In a surprising move, Tractor Supply (NASDAQ: TSCO) has announced that it will no longer pursue its net-zero emissions goal by 2040 and will halt efforts to increase diversity among managers [1]. Instead, the rural lifestyle retailer will focus on initiatives related to rural communities and animal welfare.

The company's initial commitment to reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 was part of its broader sustainability program, known as "Stewardship," which was launched in 2008 [1]. Tractor Supply had already exceeded its initial carbon reduction goals and was on track to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 [1].

However, customer dissatisfaction appears to have played a role in the company's decision to abandon its environmental and diversity goals. In recent years, Tractor Supply has faced criticism from some quarters for its support of certain events and initiatives, including pride festivals and voting campaigns [2]. The company's decision to discontinue support for these activities may have contributed to the dissatisfaction of some customers.

Despite abandoning its net-zero emissions and diversity goals, Tractor Supply remains committed to other aspects of its sustainability program. The company plans to continue investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and cleaner technologies, and will enhance its focus on reducing emissions in its value chain [1].

References:

[1] Tractor Supply Company. (2021). ESG Goals. Retrieved from https://corporate.tractorsupply.com/Stewardship/ESGGoals/default.aspx
[2] Grossman, A. (2021, May 11). Tractor Supply Is Dropping Pride Month Events and Voting on Political Issues. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/business/companies/tractor-supply-pride-month-voting.html