Dawn tops Kantar’s inaugural ranking of leading sustainable brands in US

NEW YORK, NY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1: Kantar, the world's leading brand intelligence company, launched its first ever Sustainability Consumer-led Brand Ranking 2026, with Dawn earning the top spot in the United States.   

While consumers increasingly demand sustainable choices, rising skepticism means brands must provide clear proof of action rather than mere promises. The Sustainability Consumer-Led Brand Ranking 2026 bridges this trust gap by revealing exactly where sustainability builds genuine brand equity, offering a data-backed blueprint on how to turn consumer perception into practical business growth. The US list is based on the perceptions of 180 consumers across 1,500 brands, using a proprietary measure that accounts for brand size alongside the credibility and influence of each brand’s sustainability actions.  

US Top 20 Brands: 

Elizabeth Katsadouros, Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation Practice Commercial Partner said: “Americans are sending a clear signal: concern about the environment and social justice remains high, but in a world shaped by rising costs and constant information overload, expectations of brands are becoming sharper and less forgiving. This creates a critical moment where brands must respond with clarity, credibility, and real impact. Ultimately, the brands outperforming are those that connect sustainability to what truly drives growth: being genuinely meaningful in people’s lives, remaining credible in what they promise, and immediately relevant in the moments that matter.” 

For the extended global study, Kantar’s sustainability experts analyzed the top performing brands globally and in each of the 12 markets covered. This identified the common principles for converting sustainability into brand strength – from putting sustainability at the heart of the brand to communicating with creativity and authenticity.  

Global Top 10 Brands:

Ranke­d among the global top 10, Mastercard’s sustainability initiatives focus on decoupling business growth from environmental impact by eliminating first-use plastics from its physical payment network by 2028 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2040. By leveraging its massive financial network to scale supply chain decarbonization and inspire eco-conscious consumer habits, Mastercard demonstrates how purpose-driven innovation actively strengthens brand equity and consumer loyalty.  

“Align your business strategy with your impact strategy, recognizing that those two things rely on each other,” stated Shamina Singh, President, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth & EVP Sustainability, Mastercard.  

To read the Consumer-Led Sustainability Brand ranking visit Kantar.com.