Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a research and development services entity based in the US, has set ambitious targets to reduce its environmental impact. For the 2023 reporting year, ORNL reported significant emissions across its operations. Total Scope 1 emissions were approximately 34,070,000 kg CO2e, with fugitive emissions accounting for about 2,624,000 kg CO2e. Scope 2 emissions reached approximately 198,911,000 kg CO2e. Scope 3 emissions were reported at approximately 25,536,000 kg CO2e, with key contributors including employee commute (approximately 15,551,000 kg CO2e), purchased goods and services (approximately 15,551,000 kg CO2e), and fuel and energy-related activities (approximately 9,102,000 kg CO2e). Business travel contributed approximately 1,354,000 kg CO2e, and waste generated in operations was approximately 13,000 kg CO2e.

ORNL is committed to substantial emissions reductions. Notably, there is a target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030, using a 2020 baseline. Furthermore, ORNL aims to achieve a net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045, driven by efforts such as building electrification. Another commitment is to reduce Scope 1 emissions by 30% from a 2020 baseline by 2030, and a parallel target exists to reduce Scope 2 emissions by 30% from a 2020 baseline by 2030. A broader, long-term ambition is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Previously, ORNL had an estimated target to reduce GHG emissions from natural gas use by 51% from a FY 2008 baseline by 2020, focusing on Scope 1. While specific total emissions for all scopes for prior years are not fully detailed in the provided data, some individual scope emissions have been reported. For instance, in 2020, Scope 1 emissions from stationary combustion were approximately 46,126,000 kg CO2e. In 2022, only Scope 3 emissions data regarding fuel and energy-related activities were available, reported at approximately 751,000 kg CO2e. No comprehensive emissions data was available for 2010 and 2013, though some upstream production emission factors were noted for 2013.