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.
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.
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.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's score of 31 is higher than 59% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) reported total carbon emissions of approximately 263,062,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes 34,566,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions, which primarily arise from direct operations, and 28,612,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions, encompassing indirect emissions such as business travel and employee commuting. Notably, ORNL's Scope 1 and 2 emissions combined totalled about 233,775,000 kg CO2e. In 2023, ORNL's emissions were recorded at approximately 255,360,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3, with Scope 1 emissions at 34,070,000 kg CO2e and Scope 2 emissions at 198,911,000 kg CO2e. This indicates a slight increase in emissions compared to the previous year. ORNL has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2020 baseline. Additionally, the laboratory is working towards achieving a net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045 through building electrification and other initiatives. Furthermore, ORNL plans to reduce its Scope 1 emissions by 30% from a 2020 baseline by 2030. These commitments reflect ORNL's dedication to addressing climate change and reducing its carbon footprint, aligning with broader industry standards and sustainability goals.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2020 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 46,126,000 | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | - | 000,000,000 | - |
| Scope 3 | - | 000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
Companies disclose and commit to reducing emissions to show they are serious about reducing emissions impact over time. They can also help a company track its progress over time.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is not participating in any of the initiatives that we track. This may change over time as the company engages with new initiatives or updates its commitments. DitchCarbon will update this information as it becomes available.
