Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., commonly known as Charles River, is a leading provider of essential products and services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Headquartered in the United States, the company operates extensively across North America, Europe, and Asia, offering a global reach that enhances its service delivery. Founded in 1947, Charles River has achieved significant milestones, including the expansion of its preclinical and clinical services. The company specialises in drug discovery, safety assessment, and laboratory services, providing unique solutions that streamline the research process. Its commitment to innovation and quality has solidified its position as a trusted partner in the life sciences sector. With a robust portfolio that includes in vivo and in vitro testing, Charles River Laboratories is recognised for its expertise and reliability, making it a preferred choice for organisations seeking to advance their research and development efforts.
How does Charles River Laboratories'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 Research 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.
Charles River Laboratories's score of 59 is higher than 76% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, Charles River Laboratories reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 85723000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 18031000 kg CO2e for Scope 2, and a significant 435589000 kg CO2e for Scope 3 emissions. This brings their combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions to about 102610000 kg CO2e. The company has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% from a 2018 baseline by the year 2030. Additionally, they plan to decrease Scope 3 emissions by 15% from a 2019 baseline by the same year. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect a commitment to sustainable practices within the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and life sciences sector. Charles River Laboratories is also focused on increasing its annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 1% in 2018 to 100% by 2030, further demonstrating its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. The company’s emissions data and reduction targets are inherited from its parent organization, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., ensuring a cohesive approach to climate action across its operations.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 86,284,000 | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 79,271,000 | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | 000,000,000 | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
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.
Charles River Laboratories has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Common questions about Charles River Laboratories's sustainability data and climate commitments