The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), headquartered in Great Britain, is a leading professional body and publisher in the chemical sciences. Founded in 1841, RSC has played a pivotal role in advancing the chemical industry through its extensive range of publications, educational resources, and professional development initiatives. With a strong presence in Europe, Asia, and North America, RSC focuses on promoting excellence in chemical research and education. Its core offerings include high-impact journals, books, and conferences that cater to a global audience, making it a trusted source for chemists and researchers alike. Recognised for its commitment to innovation and collaboration, RSC has achieved notable milestones, including the establishment of various awards and grants that support scientific advancement. As a prominent player in the chemical sciences, RSC continues to shape the future of chemistry through its dedication to knowledge sharing and community engagement.
How does RSC'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.
RSC's score of 39 is higher than 67% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) reported total carbon emissions of approximately 8,338,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes 71,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions, primarily from stationary combustion, and 180,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 emissions, which are location-based. The majority of their emissions, about 8,087,000 kg CO2e, fall under Scope 3, with significant contributions from business travel (4,992,000 kg CO2e) and purchased goods and services (5,432,000 kg CO2e). Comparatively, in 2022, RSC's total emissions were about 5,580,000 kg CO2e, indicating a substantial increase in emissions in 2023. The Scope 1 emissions for 2022 were 90,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 2 emissions were 194,000 kg CO2e, while Scope 3 emissions were significantly lower at 5,580,000 kg CO2e. RSC has not set specific reduction targets or initiatives as part of their climate commitments, nor do they have any cascaded data from a parent organization. Their emissions data is independently reported, reflecting their own operational impact without external influence. The organisation continues to monitor and report its emissions, aiming for transparency in its sustainability efforts.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 82,000 | 00,000 | 000,000 | 00,000 | 00,000 |
| Scope 2 | 363,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 6,336,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
RSC's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 49% last year and increased by approximately 32% since 2019, 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 "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 65% 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.
RSC 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.
