Aberystwyth University sustainability score: 55/100
Better than 86% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
Aberystwyth University is a research-led institution in Wales, UK. With a 1,709-hectare estate across three campuses, it delivers undergraduate and postgraduate education in sciences, arts, and social sciences.
More about Aberystwyth University
The university operates a mid-sized higher education carbon footprint typical of UK research universities.
Head office GBStaff 1,295 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £126M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
Aberystwyth has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 50% from 2005 baseline and publishes statutory HESA data annually, backed by £10m renewable investment. Major gaps: no Scope 3 quantification despite baselines, no SBTi validation of net-zero 2030 target, water and biodiversity programmes lack formal reduction targets or third-party certification.
Aberystwyth University scores 55/100 (Making progress) on SINK's independent climate assessment, scored from public data only. Scores are free. Nobody can pay to change a score, speed it up or hide it. Last verified September 2026.
That places Aberystwyth University joint 56th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 8th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is Aberystwyth University doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint: Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain and Water Impact (4/10, 4/10).
Where Aberystwyth University lost points
For each question that lost points, the evidence our public rubric looks for that we didn't find.
What would raise this score
- Emissions from its supply chainMeasure most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions.
- Its effect on waterMeasure its water footprint and set reduction targets.
- Its effect on natureMeasure its effect on nature and have it independently verified.
Every question that lost points
- Emissions from its own operations7/10Its own emissions aren't independently verified or tracked over several years.
- Emissions from its supply chain4/10Most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions aren't measured.
- Whether its emissions are falling7/10No consistent fall over several years across its operations and supply chain.
- How clean its energy is7/10Less than 90% of its energy shown to be renewable.
- Its effect on nature5/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste6/10No verified figures for reuse and recycling across the business.
- Its effect on water4/10No measured water footprint with reduction targets.
- Its climate targets5/10Its targets aren't science-based or committed to the Science Based Targets initiative.
- How openly it reports6/10No annual impact report, or no pay linked to climate targets.
A score changes when the evidence does. We use new published evidence at the next rescore. Anyone can send us new evidence, free. How to send it.
How is Aberystwyth University's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleWhat evidence is Aberystwyth University's score based on?
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
42% of them were published by Aberystwyth University itself; the rest come from independent sources.
7 of 12 sources are independent of the company.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions (Kg CO2e), 2023/24, UKPRN 10007856: 6,688.3 tCO₂e”
“140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for the year 2023/24”
“annually monitor our carbon performance to compare this with our baseline year of 2019-2020”
“Aberystwyth University scored 0/5% for reporting scope 3 emissions to HESA via the EMR record”
“It has reduced its emissions by 43 per cent in the last four years”
“Aberystwyth signed the Nature Positive Pledge in early 2023”
“Aberystwyth University became the first University in the World to be granted the Plastic Free University Certificate”
“In April 2024 the Welsh Government introduced the Recycling Legislation”
“Read our 2023 Sustainable Procurement Review below - with reviews carried out every 3 years”
“The £2.9m investment will provide up to 25% of the annual electricity needs of the Penglais Campus”
“Supported by the Energy Service, Aberystwyth University is progressing toward its 2030 net zero target”
“It is anticipated that offsetting will not be allowed, which I think is a very bold decision”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Is this your company? Claim this profile (free)
Use this score in tenders
Send the link, or the one-page score sheet. It links back to this page and every source. Free.
Open the score sheet →Send new evidence, free
Scored low because little is published? Publish what you do and send us the link, free. If it holds up, your score changes, and the change is logged on your page.
How to send evidence →Put your score on your website, free
It shows the current band, sector rank and score, and links to this page, so it changes when the score does.
Track this score
Bidding for a public contract? Check if you need a Carbon Reduction Plan, free →
Want your own page like this?
Free, independent, every source shown. Send it to any buyer who asks about your sustainability.
How does Aberystwyth University compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where Aberystwyth University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Aberystwyth University is tied =8th of 67, with 2 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above Aberystwyth University.
RGU has delivered a 50.9% absolute emissions reduction since 2005 and exceptional waste performance (98.4% recycling), but renewable energy procurement remains negligible at 0%.
See the breakdown →Swansea University reports 45% absolute emissions cuts and third-party verified waste certification, but relies on grid electricity (0% green tariff), lacks SBTi validation, and reversed its fossil fuel careers fair exclusion in 2026—a specific credible retreat from prior climate commitments.
See the breakdown →York St John has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 67.5% since 2005 and publishes statutory data via HESA.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
One email, every Sunday. Score changes, new research, the stories behind the numbers. Free.
We'll send one email to confirm. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
Checking a company?
Search free →Asked to prove you're sustainable?
Get your business scored, free →Been scored?
Find your page and claim it, free →Scores are free. Nobody can pay to change a score, speed it up or hide it.