Union of Concerned Scientists Sustainability Profile
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), founded in 1969, is a prominent non-profit organisation headquartered in the United States. With a mission to harness the scientific community's expertise to address critical global challenges, UCS operates primarily in the fields of climate science, energy, and food security. The organisation is renowned for its rigorous research and advocacy efforts, focusing on promoting sustainable solutions and informed policy decisions. Notable achievements include influencing climate legislation and advancing renewable energy initiatives, positioning UCS as a leader in the environmental advocacy sector. Through its unique blend of scientific analysis and public engagement, the Union of Concerned Scientists continues to drive meaningful change, making significant contributions to the discourse on science-based solutions for a sustainable future.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Union of Concerned Scientists'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 Other 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
Union of Concerned Scientists's score of 29 is higher than 51% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Union of Concerned Scientists's reported carbon emissions
In 2020, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) reported total carbon emissions of approximately 828,000 kg CO2e, with significant contributions from Scope 3 emissions, particularly from business travel (157,000 kg CO2e) and employee commuting (70,000 kg CO2e). This marked a reduction from 2019, when total emissions were about 1,218,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 3 emissions from business travel and commuting at 388,000 kg CO2e and 140,000 kg CO2e, respectively. Over the years, UCS has demonstrated a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, particularly in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, although specific data for these scopes is not disclosed. The organisation has set ambitious long-term targets, aiming for net-zero emissions in the power sector by 2050, as part of its broader climate strategy. Additionally, UCS is aligned with the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which mandates a 10% reduction in global warming emissions from transportation fuels by 2020 compared to 2010 levels. The emissions data is not cascaded from any parent organisation, indicating that UCS independently tracks and reports its carbon emissions and climate commitments.
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| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Scope 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Scope 3 | 380,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Union of Concerned Scientists's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Union of Concerned Scientists's Location?
Union of Concerned Scientists's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Union of Concerned Scientists's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 57% last year and decreased by approximately 40% since 2009, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes supplier sustainability and value chain emissions data across Scope 3 categories, with "Business Travel" being the largest emissions source at 69% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Union of Concerned Scientists'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.
Union of Concerned Scientists 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.
