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 435589000 kg CO2e for Scope 3, resulting in a combined total of about 102610000 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and 2 emissions. This reflects a slight decrease in Scope 1 emissions from 90002000 kg CO2e in 2022, while Scope 2 emissions decreased from 45976000 kg CO2e in the same year. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon footprint, committing to a 50% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 from a 2018 baseline, and a 15% reduction in absolute Scope 3 emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline. Additionally, Charles River aims to increase its annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 1% in 2018 to 100% by 2030. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are designed to support global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.
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