Edinburgh Napier University sustainability score: 52/100
Better than 56% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
Edinburgh Napier University is a public research institution, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It serves students across multiple campuses and operates as a comprehensive university offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes across engineering, business, applied sciences, and health disciplines.
More about Edinburgh Napier University
It ranks among mid-tier UK higher education providers by scale.
Head office GBStaff 1,685 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £172M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
Edinburgh Napier has achieved substantial operational emissions reductions (49% absolute since 2018/19) and maintains transparent public reporting via HESA. However, Scope 3 emissions lack quantified year-on-year tracking, renewable energy covers only 28% of grid supply, and science-based target validation is absent. No fossil fuel controversies, but sustainability ambition is constrained by incomplete supply chain accountability.
Edinburgh Napier University scores 52/100 (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 Edinburgh Napier University joint 109th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 26th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is Edinburgh Napier University doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint: Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Energy Source and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (4/10, 4/10).
Where Edinburgh Napier 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
- How clean its energy isShow at least half its energy is renewable, with a transition plan.
- Its effect on natureMeasure its effect on nature and have it independently verified.
- Emissions from its supply chainMeasure most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions.
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 chain5/10Most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions aren't measured.
- Whether its emissions are falling6/10No consistent fall over several years across its operations and supply chain.
- How clean its energy is4/10Less than half its energy shown to be renewable, or no transition plan.
- Its effect on nature4/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste5/10No measurable waste or recycling targets reported publicly.
- Its effect on water5/10No 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 Edinburgh Napier University's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleWhat evidence is Edinburgh Napier University's score based on?
13 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
69% of them were published by Edinburgh Napier University itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 3274.8 tCO₂e, carbon intensity 0.0294 tCO₂e/m², 2023/24”
“Our electricity, gas and water data is audited externally to ensure what we report is accurate.”
“140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for the year 2023/24.”
“What we are doing to reduce our energy and water consumption at Edinburgh Napier University”
“What we're doing to improve biodiversity at Edinburgh Napier University”
“If you're interested in biodiversity, we also have the Lions' Gate Garden for anybody who wants to volunteer in making our campuses greener places.”
“Edinburgh Napier University Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme”
“We typically recycle 80% of waste generated at our campus. The remaining 20% is used as refuse-derived fuel.”
“The SBTi's Target Dashboard lists companies and financial institutions that have set science-based targets.”
“Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy Board of Governance (ESSBG)”
“The University's core strategy includes a commitment to achieving net zero carbon in its operations by 2030.”
“Edinburgh Napier has removed all direct investments from fossil fuel companies.”
“A statement on Edinburgh Napier's decision to remove all direct investments in fossil fuels”
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How does Edinburgh Napier University compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where Edinburgh Napier University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Edinburgh Napier University is tied =26th of 67, with 4 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above Edinburgh Napier University.
Loughborough has published specific decarbonisation targets and joined the Nature Positive Universities Alliance, but lacks independent validation of climate goals and Scope 3 quantification.
See the breakdown →Cardiff Met has reduced Scope 1+2 emissions 60% since 2005 and holds ISO 14001 certification, but supply chain mapping remains incomplete and recycling lags sector targets at 49%.
See the breakdown →Anglia Ruskin has achieved measurable carbon reductions (40% absolute Scope 1+2 vs 2005) and secured zero-carbon electricity via power purchase agreement.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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