Carleton University, located in Ottawa, Canada, is a prominent institution in the higher education sector, renowned for its commitment to research and innovation. Founded in 1942, the university has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of various research centres and partnerships that enhance its academic offerings. Carleton University excels in diverse fields such as engineering, public affairs, and international studies, providing a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Its core services include undergraduate and graduate programmes, professional development, and extensive research opportunities, all designed to foster critical thinking and creativity among students. Recognised for its strong market position, Carleton University consistently ranks among the top universities in Canada, attracting a diverse student body and faculty from around the globe. Its dedication to academic excellence and community engagement sets it apart in the competitive landscape of higher education.
How does Carleton University's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Education Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Carleton University's score of 32 is higher than 61% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2022, Carleton University reported total carbon emissions of approximately 171,000,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 25,300,000 kg CO2e, primarily from direct fuel combustion, and Scope 2 emissions of around 1,700,000 kg CO2e, which are associated with purchased electricity. The majority of their emissions, approximately 144,000,000 kg CO2e, fall under Scope 3, which encompasses indirect emissions from sources such as investments (about 123,000,000 kg CO2e), employee commuting (approximately 1,900,000 kg CO2e), and purchased goods and services (around 17,900,000 kg CO2e). Despite the significant emissions reported, Carleton University has not established specific reduction targets or initiatives as part of their climate commitments. The absence of SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) reduction targets indicates a need for further development in their sustainability strategy. The university's emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organization, reflecting an independent assessment of their carbon footprint. Overall, while Carleton University has made strides in measuring its carbon emissions, there is an opportunity for the institution to enhance its climate commitments and set ambitious reduction targets to align with global sustainability goals.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 25,300,000 |
| Scope 2 | 1,700,000 |
| Scope 3 | 144,000,000 |
The vast majority of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing the vast majority of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Investments" being the largest emissions source at 85% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Carleton University has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

