2.4) By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality
McDonald’s supports sustainable agricultural production at every aspect of the supply chain. Teaming up with the international non-profit TechnoServe and the Sustainable Commodities Assistance Network (SCAN), McDonald’s trains 13,000 farmers in Guatemala and Central America to produce coffee more sustainably while simultaneously increasing crop yields. This added technical assistance will help strengthen the local economy, improving the lives of many smallholders.
6.4) By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
McDonald’s understands the importance of water conservation for both its agricultural produce and the environment. Using the Global Water Tool developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the company is assessing water efficiency in over 25,000 restaurants and formulating solutions for improvement. In the US, McDonald’s introduced several adjustments such as low flow urinals and drought tolerant landscaping. To combat water scarcity in Australia, McDonald’s has deployed multiple initiatives including rainwater harvesting as well as water usage training programs for restaurant workers.
6.A) By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
In India, McDonald’s has improved its business practices to prevent ongoing water scarcity. When harvesting rainwater, the restaurants’ direct the water flow into a storm drain. The rainwater then empties into a sedimentation or settling tank and finally into the water table via recharge pits of gravel, sand, and rocks that act as natural filters. McDonald’s India recharges 106,400 of water per year, using about 50 percent of rainwater that falls on the roofs.
10.4) Adopt policies especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies and progressively achieve greater equality
McDonald’s values the contributions of its employees and strives to ensure that their financial and educational needs are met. In the US, McDonald’s is enhancing employee benefits, offering substantial wage increases and paid time-off. Across its company-owned restaurants, 90,000 employees will be eligible to receive these benefits, representing 10 percent of McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. Moreover, McDonald’s education initiative, Archways to Education, will offer free high school completion and college tuition assistance to around 750,000 employees at both company-owned and franchised restaurants. Employees who are not native English speakers also have the opportunity to take free English language classes.