Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sustainability Profile
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is a premier research facility in the United States, renowned for its contributions to scientific innovation and technological advancement. Established in 1943, ORNL has played a pivotal role in various fields, including materials science, nuclear science, energy production, and environmental science. As a leader in the Department of Energy's national laboratory system, ORNL focuses on cutting-edge research and development, offering unique capabilities in high-performance computing, neutron science, and bioenergy. Its commitment to addressing global challenges has positioned it as a key player in the energy and environmental sectors. Notable achievements include advancements in clean energy technologies and significant contributions to the understanding of climate change, solidifying ORNL's reputation as a vital asset in the scientific community.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Oak Ridge National Laboratory'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.
Industry Average
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.
Industry Benchmark
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's score of 40 is higher than 65% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Let us know if this data was useful to you
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) reported total carbon emissions of approximately 263.1 million kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 34.6 million kg CO2e and Scope 3 emissions of approximately 28.6 million kg CO2e. Notably, ORNL has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 across both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Additionally, the laboratory plans to reduce its Scope 1 emissions by 30% from a 2020 baseline by 2030 and achieve a 50% reduction in both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by the same year. In 2023, ORNL's emissions were reported as 255.4 million kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at approximately 34.1 million kg CO2e and Scope 2 emissions at about 198.9 million kg CO2e. The laboratory's commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by its goal to achieve a net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045 through electrification and other initiatives. Overall, ORNL is actively working towards significant emissions reductions while adhering to industry-standard climate terminology and practices.
Unlock detailed emissions data
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2010 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | 00,000,000 | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | - |
| Scope 3 | - | - | 000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Location?
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 12% last year and increased significantly since 2022, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 10% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Employee Commuting" being the largest emissions source at 60% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
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.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory 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.
Let us know if this data was useful to you
Usage Policy
You're welcome to quote or reference data from this page, but please include a visible link back to this URL.
Bulk collection, resale, or redistribution of data from multiple profiles is not permitted.
See our License Agreement for more details.