Ditchcarbon
  • Contact
  1. Organizations
  2. Thorlabs
Public Profile
Computer Services
US
updated a month ago

Thorlabs Sustainability Profile

Company website

Thorlabs, Inc., a leading provider of photonics equipment, is headquartered in the United States, with significant operational regions across Europe and Asia. Founded in 1989, the company has established itself as a key player in the optics and photonics industry, offering a diverse range of products and services that cater to research and development needs. Thorlabs is renowned for its innovative solutions, including optical components, laser systems, and imaging equipment, which are designed to meet the rigorous demands of scientific research. The company’s commitment to quality and customer service has earned it a strong market position, making it a preferred choice among professionals in academia and industry alike. With a focus on continuous improvement and technological advancement, Thorlabs remains at the forefront of the photonics sector.

DitchCarbon Score

How does Thorlabs'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.

34

Industry Average

Mean score of companies in the Computer 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.

29

Industry Benchmark

Thorlabs's score of 34 is higher than 57% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.

57%

Let us know if this data was useful to you

Thorlabs's reported carbon emissions

In 2023, Thorlabs, headquartered in the United States, reported total carbon emissions of approximately 585,972,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 1,619,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of around 10,927,000 kg CO2e, and a significant contribution from Scope 3 emissions, which totalled approximately 573,426,000 kg CO2e. Notable components of Scope 3 emissions include purchased goods and services (about 468,570,000 kg CO2e) and capital goods (approximately 25,389,000 kg CO2e). Thorlabs has committed to achieving net-zero emissions, demonstrating a proactive approach to climate action. The company is classified as "Committed" to near-term targets and has also pledged to net-zero, although specific target years have not been disclosed. This commitment aligns with industry standards and reflects a growing trend among technology hardware and equipment companies to address climate change effectively. The emissions data is sourced directly from Thorlabs, Inc., with no cascading from a parent or related organization. As the company continues to develop its sustainability initiatives, it remains focused on reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing its environmental responsibility.

Unlock detailed emissions data

Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents

2023
Scope 1
1,619,000
Scope 2
10,927,000
Scope 3
573,426,000

How Carbon Intensive is Thorlabs's Industry?

Very low
Low
Medium
High
Very high
Some industries are more carbon intensive than others. Thorlabs's primary industry is Computer and related services (72), which is very low in terms of carbon intensity compared to other industries.

How Carbon Intensive is Thorlabs's Location?

Very low
Low
Medium
High
Very high
The carbon intensity of the energy grid powering a company's primary operations has a strong influence on its overall carbon footprint. This request for Thorlabs is in US, which has a low grid carbon intensity relative to other regions.

Thorlabs's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown

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 82% of Scope 3 emissions.

Top Scope 3 Categories

2023
Purchased Goods and Services
82%
Upstream Transportation & Distribution
7%
Use of Sold Products
5%
Capital Goods
4%
Fuel and Energy Related Activities
<1%
Employee Commuting
<1%
End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products
<1%
Waste Generated in Operations
<1%
Business Travel
<1%

Thorlabs'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.

Thorlabs 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.

Science Based Targets Initiative
Carbon Disclosure Project
The Climate Pledge
UN Global Compact
RE 100
Climate Action 100
Race To Net Zero
Reduction Actions

Compare Thorlabs's Emissions with Industry Peers

ZEISS Group

DE
•
Medical, precision and optical instruments, watches and clocks (33)
Updated about 9 hours ago

Edmund Optics

US
•
Computer and related services (72)
Updated about 9 hours ago

Coherent

US
•
Medical, precision and optical instruments, watches and clocks (33)
Updated about 9 hours ago

JENOPTIK

DE
•
Chemicals nec
Updated about 9 hours ago

Lumentum

US
•
Radio, television and communication equipment and apparatus (32)
Updated about 9 hours ago

Olympus

JP
•
Electrical machinery and apparatus n.e.c. (31)
Updated about 7 hours ago

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thorlabs's sustainability data and climate commitments

Let us know if this data was useful to you

Where does DitchCarbon data come from?

Discover our data-driven methodology for measuring corporate climate action and benchmarking against industry peers

Ditchcarbon
v251031.5
[email protected]+44 203 475 7875Ditch Carbon Ltd167-169 Great Portland StreetLondon W1W 5PF
UL Solutions verification badge
CDP logo
Gartner Cool Vendor 2025 badge
ProductPortalScope 3 Tool FunctionalityDataIntegrationsPricing
CustomersHaleonGrant ThorntonHikmaRead all stories
SolutionsProcurement teamsSustainability teamsPlatform ownersCarbon accountants
ResourcesCalculation MethodologyDocumentationBlogFAQOrganizationsIndustriesSBTI APITrust CentreChangelog
AboutTeamCareersLicense AgreementPrivacy