The British Library Sustainability Profile
The British Library, headquartered in London, GB, stands as one of the world's largest and most significant research libraries. Founded in 1973, it has evolved to become a vital resource for scholars, researchers, and the general public, housing over 170 million items across various formats. With a focus on preserving the nation's literary heritage, the library offers unique services such as access to rare manuscripts, historical documents, and an extensive digital collection. Its commitment to innovation is evident in initiatives like the British Library Labs, which promote digital scholarship and engagement. Recognised globally for its vast resources and expertise, The British Library plays a crucial role in the cultural and academic landscape, making it an indispensable institution for knowledge and research.
DitchCarbon Score
How does The British Library'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
The British Library's score of 29 is higher than 57% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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The British Library's reported carbon emissions
In 2025, The British Library reported total carbon emissions of approximately 6,967,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes 2,992,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1 emissions, which encompass direct emissions from mobile and stationary combustion, and 4,380,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 emissions, primarily from purchased electricity. Additionally, Scope 3 emissions amounted to about 17,191,000 kg CO2e, with significant contributions from capital goods and purchased goods and services. The Library has set a target to reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1) by 25% from 2017 to 2022, aiming to decrease emissions by approximately 2,305 tonnes CO2e. This commitment reflects a proactive approach to climate action, aligning with industry standards for sustainability. Over the past few years, emissions have fluctuated, with 2024 emissions recorded at about 6,704,000 kg CO2e and 2023 at approximately 6,415,000 kg CO2e. The Library's emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organization, indicating independent reporting and accountability in its climate commitments.
How Carbon Intensive is The British Library's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is The British Library's Location?
The British Library's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
The British Library's Scope 3 emissions, which increased significantly last year and increased significantly since 2014, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Most of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 73% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Capital Goods" being the largest emissions source at 52% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
The British Library'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.
The British Library 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.
