UCL, or University College London, is a prestigious institution headquartered in London, GB. Founded in 1826, it has established itself as a leader in higher education and research, consistently ranking among the top universities globally. UCL operates primarily in the education sector, offering a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across various disciplines, including science, humanities, and engineering. Renowned for its innovative research and commitment to academic excellence, UCL has achieved numerous milestones, such as being the first university in England to admit students regardless of their religion. Its core services include world-class education, cutting-edge research, and extensive community engagement, making it a unique player in the academic landscape. UCL's notable achievements and strong market position reflect its dedication to fostering knowledge and addressing global challenges.
How does Ucl'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.
Ucl's score of 31 is higher than 60% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, University College London (UCL) reported total carbon emissions of approximately 117,157,000 kg CO2e, with significant contributions from Scope 3 emissions, particularly in purchased goods and services (about 67,020,000 kg CO2e) and business travel (approximately 25,660,000 kg CO2e). This marks an increase from 2023, where total emissions were about 43,891,000 kg CO2e, with similar Scope 3 contributions of approximately 86,230,000 kg CO2e for purchased goods and services and 18,461,000 kg CO2e for business travel. UCL's emissions data is cascaded from its parent organization, University College London, and does not currently include Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions data. The institution has not set specific reduction targets or climate pledges, indicating a need for further commitment to climate action. In 2021, UCL's emissions were reported at about 33,574,000 kg CO2e in GB, with Scope 3 emissions from business travel at approximately 7,432,000 kg CO2e. The global emissions for the same year were significantly higher, at about 424,727,000 kg CO2e, with business travel contributing around 2,179,000 kg CO2e. Overall, UCL's climate commitments and emissions data highlight the importance of addressing Scope 3 emissions, particularly in the context of sustainable procurement and travel practices.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2021 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | - | - |
| Scope 2 | - | - | - |
| Scope 3 | 2,179,000 | 000,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
Ucl's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 11% last year and increased significantly since 2021, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes supplier sustainability and value chain emissions data across Scope 3 categories, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 72% 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.
Ucl 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.

