The European Organization for Nuclear Research, commonly known as CERN, is a leading research institution headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland (CH). Founded in 1954, CERN has become a cornerstone of the particle physics community, operating major facilities across Europe. The organisation is renowned for its groundbreaking work in high-energy physics, particularly through its flagship project, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which has made significant contributions to our understanding of fundamental particles. CERN's core services include advanced particle acceleration and experimentation, enabling scientists to explore the fundamental constituents of matter. Its unique collaborative environment fosters innovation and attracts researchers from around the globe. With numerous accolades, including the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, CERN maintains a prominent position in the global scientific landscape, driving advancements in both theoretical and applied physics.
How does The European Organization for Nuclear Research'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 Business 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.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research's score of 26 is lower than 51% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2020, The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) reported total carbon emissions of approximately 98,997,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 9,247,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2, and 1,868,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3 emissions. Notably, the Scope 1 emissions primarily stemmed from direct operations, while Scope 2 emissions were associated with purchased electricity. The Scope 3 emissions included significant contributions from business travel and employee commuting. CERN has not disclosed any specific reduction targets or initiatives as part of its climate commitments. There are no data cascaded from a parent organization, indicating that all reported emissions data is directly from CERN itself. The organisation continues to monitor its carbon footprint, but as of the latest reports, it has not established formal targets under frameworks such as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Overall, CERN's emissions data reflects its ongoing efforts to understand and manage its environmental impact, although specific reduction strategies or commitments have yet to be articulated.
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| 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 78,169,000 | 00,000,000 | 
| Scope 2 | 10,672,000 | 0,000,000 | 
| Scope 3 | 12,098,000 | 0,000,000 | 
The European Organization for Nuclear Research's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 85% last year and decreased by approximately 85% since 2019, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 2% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Employee Commuting" being the largest emissions source at 100% 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.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research 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.
