Pearson Sustainability Profile
Pearson plc, a leading global education company headquartered in Great Britain, has been at the forefront of the learning industry since its founding in 1844. With a strong presence in North America, Europe, and Asia, Pearson focuses on providing innovative educational solutions that cater to diverse learning needs. The company offers a wide range of products and services, including textbooks, digital learning platforms, and assessment tools, all designed to enhance the educational experience. Notably, Pearson's commitment to personalised learning sets it apart, enabling students to learn at their own pace and style. As a prominent player in the education sector, Pearson has achieved significant milestones, including the development of cutting-edge online learning resources and partnerships with educational institutions worldwide. With a reputation for quality and innovation, Pearson continues to shape the future of education.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Pearson'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 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.
Industry Benchmark
Pearson's score of 98 is higher than 99% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Pearson's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Pearson reported total carbon emissions of approximately 238,926,000 kg CO2e globally, with specific breakdowns of 4,095,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 11,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 (market-based), and a significant 234,820,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. In the UK, Pearson's emissions were about 1,390,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1 and 831,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (location-based). Pearson has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 50% by 2030, using 2018 as the baseline. This target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Furthermore, Pearson is committed to achieving net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050, with long-term targets of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% and Scope 3 emissions by 90% by the same year. The company has previously met its 2020 target of a 50% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions from a 2009 baseline. Pearson's ongoing initiatives reflect a strong commitment to sustainability and climate action within the education services sector.
Unlock detailed emissions data
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 30,170,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 115,548,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 0,000,000 | 00,000 |
| Scope 3 | 31,055,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Pearson's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Pearson's Location?
Pearson's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Pearson's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 5% last year and increased by approximately 656% since 2013, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Capital Goods" being the largest emissions source at 68% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Pearson'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.
Pearson 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pearson's sustainability data and climate commitments