Better Health for All

Deere & Company's business operations are not directly relevant to several health-related KPIs, such as price accessibility, healthcare data responsibility, pharmaceutical patent flexibility, nutrition and food safety, addiction mitigation, and clinical trial ethics, for which it receives a neutral score. The company demonstrates excellent risk transparency by posting consumer product recalls on its website and government agency sites, and including safety information in product manuals and on safety signs.

Regarding health externalities, Deere & Company reported significant Scope 3 CO2e emissions of 81,736,000 metric tons in 2024. While the company has set a 2030 target to reduce customer CO2e emissions by 15% per unit of agricultural output and has achieved a nearly 28% reduction in chemical and water use with its Smart Apply technology in specific applications, equating to nearly 38,000 gallons of crop protection and water savings on 2.7K total applied acres , these efforts represent partial remediation against substantial overall externalities. Several other KPIs, including the net health effect of core products, harmful revenue share, safety record (user harm), vulnerable reach, health innovation investment, health equity programs, healthcare workforce support, preventative health measures, global health crisis response, mental health initiatives, and healthcare education, are omitted due to a lack of specific, quantifiable data points required by the rubric.

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

Deere & Company's financial services division offers financing solutions with an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 19.40% for Preferred Purchases and 21.40% for Merchant Authorized Purchases, both variable based on the Prime Rate.

Late payment and returned payment fees can be up to $35 each. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, provisions for credit losses more than doubled to $69 million, indicating increased concerns about customer repayment capabilities. Separately, John Deere has committed $500 million over three years as a limited investor in a fund aimed at providing capital to entrepreneurs of color and supporting diverse small business enterprises. The John Deere Foundation has also provided grants, including a $2.5 million grant to expand financial services access in Africa and a $6.6 million commitment for a scholars program for low- to middle-income students.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

In June 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor found that Deere & Company engaged in systemic hiring discrimination against Black and Hispanic applicants, resulting in a $1.1 million settlement.

Additionally, in June 2023, a judge ruled the company violated the National Labor Relations Act by failing to furnish requested information related to employee discipline. For the fiscal year ending 2024, the CEO-to-median employee pay ratio was 190 times. In 2024, 84% of global production employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements. The total recordable incident rate (TRIR) was 1.69 per 100 employees in 2024, with a fatality rate of 0.000. The voluntary employee turnover rate was 5.6% in 2024, and the overall Employee Experience Index score was 77% in the same year. The company maintains a health insurance program where union workers do not pay premiums and expanded health care benefits for domestic partners of salaried employees starting in January 2023.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

In 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor identified minors employed in hazardous roles at Tuff Torq Corp., a supplier for Deere & Company, which led to legal actions

. Deere & Company requires its suppliers to adhere to a Supplier Code of Conduct that prohibits forced or child labor, and the company conducts audits and provides training to ensure these standards . In its 2023 Conflict Minerals Report, Deere conducted a Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry, validating approximately 81% of 453 unique smelters under RMAP as of April 2023 . Deere was recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere in 2023 and 2025 .

Honest & Fair Business

Deere & Company agreed to a $10 million settlement with the SEC in September 2024 over bribery allegations involving its Thai subsidiary, which violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

. The company cooperated with the investigation and enhanced its compliance programs . In January 2025, the FTC filed a lawsuit against Deere concerning restrictive repair policies . Despite these issues, Deere was recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 16th time in 2023 and the 17th time in 2024 , acknowledging its longstanding commitment to corporate integrity, transparency, and a proactive stance against corruption through compliance with global ethical frameworks.

Kind to Animals

Deere & Company manufactures agricultural and construction machinery. Its core business model does not involve animal testing, animal-derived ingredients, animal husbandry, or the sourcing of animal products, rendering most animal welfare KPIs not applicable. While the company has engaged in partnerships for wildlife habitat management

and supported initiatives for grassland habitats, the provided articles do not offer measurable biodiversity impact, species recovery metrics, or specific financial contributions as a percentage of revenue to score the wildlife conservation impact KPI. Similarly, specific information regarding the company's direct involvement in animal welfare policy advocacy is not available.

No War, No Weapons

Deere & Company has not divested from defense-related activities and continues to engage in military contracts. In 2006, the company was awarded a $47 million contract to build machines for the U.S. Marines, designed for combat and combat support.

In 2023, Deere was included in a multi-award defense contract for agricultural equipment worth up to $86 million. Historically, during World War II, the company produced military tractors, M3 tank transmissions, aircraft parts, ammunition components, and mobile laundry units, holding over 1,000 military contracts and dedicating 50-80% of its output to military materials. Deere also supports military communities through initiatives such as the Department of Defense's SkillBridge program, which has hosted or hired over 300 service members and veterans since 2020, and a two-year, $100,000 commitment to the USO in 2024 for career assistance and mentorship.

Planet-Friendly Business

In 2024, the company's total Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions (Categories 1 and 11) were 82,313,900 metric tons CO2e.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions were 577,900 metric tons CO2e, a 29% reduction from the 2021 baseline, while Scope 3 emissions were 81,736,000 metric tons CO2e, a 19% reduction from the 2021 baseline. The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) validated the company's GHG emission reduction targets in October 2022, with Scope 1 and 2 targets aligned to a 1.5°C warming limit and Scope 3 targets aligned to a well below 2°C warming limit. In 2024, 27% of operational energy was sourced from renewables. The company's water consumption in 2024 was 23,700,000 cubic meters, resulting in a water use intensity of approximately 458.23 m³ per $1 million revenue. In 2022, waste recycling increased to 84%. The company does not currently purchase carbon credits to fulfill climate commitments. The company continues to include a report in line with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and performs climate scenario analysis using RCP 8.5 (high emissions) and RCP 2.6 (low emissions) scenarios.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

In July 2024, John Deere announced it would no longer sponsor 'social or cultural awareness' events

and would audit all training materials to ensure the absence of 'socially-motivated messages.' This decision followed conservative backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Safe & Smart Tech

Deere & Company faces significant regulatory challenges, including a $10.0 million FCPA violation in fiscal year 2024

and an ongoing FTC investigation into its information security practices and statements regarding unauthorized access risks . Despite these issues, the company demonstrates commitment to ethical AI and data privacy. Deere has implemented processes for responsible Generative AI use, including NIST-based impact assessments and oversight by its Audit Review Committee . It actively collaborates with organizations like the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute Consortium and the Alliance for Trust in AI , contributing technical expertise to develop guidelines and best practices for AI . The company conducts regular NIST-based Generative AI impact assessments . For data privacy, Deere maintains European Binding Corporate Rules , and holds the American Farm Bureau Ag Data Transparent certification . Users are provided tools to manage third-party data sharing, allowing farmers to determine who they share data with and when . Cybersecurity training is mandatory, with 100% of salaried employees completing Code of Business Conduct training, which includes cybersecurity and data privacy . Deere also operates an established bug bounty program via HackerOne , involving 84 hackers and receiving over 2,500 submissions , backed by substantial investments since 2022 .

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Deere & Company achieved an 84% waste recycling rate in 2022.

The company is also expanding its remanufacturing business, targeting a 50% increase in revenue by 2030, which aims to reduce waste and promote circular practices through the reuse of engine parts. Additionally, Deere demonstrated a commitment to integrating sustainable materials and circular economy principles by introducing the Sustainable Concept Gator, a utility vehicle incorporating recycled and recyclable materials such as plastic bottles and coconut filler.