ETH Zürich, officially known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, is a prestigious institution located in Switzerland (CH). Founded in 1855, it has established itself as a leader in engineering, technology, and natural sciences, attracting students and researchers from around the globe. With its headquarters in Zurich, ETH Zürich operates primarily in Europe, focusing on cutting-edge research and education. The institute is renowned for its innovative programmes in fields such as computer science, architecture, and environmental sciences. ETH Zürich's commitment to excellence is reflected in its numerous accolades, including consistently ranking among the top universities worldwide. Its unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application sets it apart, making it a pivotal player in shaping the future of technology and science.
How does ETH Zürich'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.
ETH Zürich'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 2024, ETH Zürich reported total carbon emissions of approximately 181,000,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 12,084 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 6,606 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions totalling around 26,000 kg CO2e, with business travel contributing about 41,500 kg CO2e. The university has set ambitious reduction targets, aiming to cut direct CO2 emissions on its Campus Hönggerberg by 50% by 2020, which translates to a reduction of about 4,600 tonnes CO2e per year. This initiative is part of the "Energy Concept Campus Hönggerberg," which utilises geothermal storage systems, with the base year for this target set at 2006. ETH Zürich's emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organisation, indicating that the reported figures are independently sourced from the institution itself. The university continues to focus on sustainability and climate commitments, aligning with industry standards for carbon reduction and environmental responsibility.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 7,868,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 1,462,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 18,530,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
ETH Zürich's Scope 3 emissions, which increased significantly last year and increased by approximately 367% since 2010, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. 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 "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 48% 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.
ETH Zürich 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.
