Stanford University, often referred to simply as Stanford, is a prestigious private research institution located in Stanford, California, US. Founded in 1885, it has established itself as a leader in higher education and research, consistently ranking among the top universities globally. The university operates primarily in the fields of education, research, and innovation, with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and the humanities. Stanford is renowned for its cutting-edge research facilities and a collaborative environment that fosters creativity and entrepreneurship. Notable achievements include its significant contributions to Silicon Valley's development and its extensive alumni network, which includes numerous Nobel laureates and industry leaders. With a commitment to academic excellence and a focus on interdisciplinary studies, Stanford University continues to shape the future of education and research on a global scale.
How does Stanford University'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.
Stanford University's score of 30 is higher than 58% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2022, Stanford University reported total carbon emissions of approximately 140,000,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 and 2 emissions accounting for about 60,000,000 kg CO2e. This represents a significant reduction from previous years, as emissions in 2021 were about 130,000,000 kg CO2e in the US and approximately 62,239,000 kg CO2e globally. Stanford has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% below peak levels by 2025, with a long-term goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. These targets reflect a proactive approach to sustainability and align with industry standards for climate action. The university's emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organization, indicating that these figures are independently reported. Stanford's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint is part of a broader trend among educational institutions to address climate change and promote sustainability.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
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| Scope 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Scope 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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.
Stanford University 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.
