Lancaster University sustainability score: 58/100
Better than 98% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
Lancaster University is a public research university in northwest England, occupying a 560-acre campus near Morecambe. The institution is research-intensive with particular strength in social sciences, environmental science, and engineering.
Head office GBStaff 3,355 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £403M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
Lancaster has cut operational emissions 44% since 2005 and installed significant renewable capacity, but recycling collapsed to 28% from 72%, masking weak resource management. Supply chain emissions remain largely unmeasured. Fossil fuel divestment and governance structure are genuine strengths.
Lancaster University scores 58/100 (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 Lancaster University joint 25th of 1,023 companies scored, and 2nd of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is Lancaster University doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint: Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Resource Use & Waste and Water Impact (4/10, 5/10).
Where Lancaster 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 it uses materials and handles wasteReport measurable waste or recycling targets publicly.
- Its effect on waterMeasure its water footprint and set reduction targets.
- Emissions from its supply chainMap its full value chain and run a supplier engagement programme.
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 chain6/10No full value-chain map or supplier engagement programme.
- Whether its emissions are falling7/10No consistent fall over several years across its operations and supply chain.
- How clean its energy is6/10Less than 90% of its energy shown to be renewable.
- Its effect on nature7/10No verified restoration beyond its own footprint, or supply chain not mapped for nature risk.
- How it uses materials and handles waste4/10No measurable waste or recycling targets reported publicly.
- Its effect on water5/10No measured water footprint with reduction targets.
- Its climate targets6/10Its targets aren't validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
- How openly it reports7/10No 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 Lancaster University's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleWhat evidence is Lancaster University's score based on?
16 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
56% of them were published by Lancaster University itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 14,565 tCO2e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10007768”
“Lancaster University's total carbon footprint from its activities and operations in 2023/24 was 73,455 tonnes CO2e.”
“To obtain a copy of the University's ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certificate or other EMS documentation please contact Jonathan Mills.”
“teams have continued to improve source data by moving from HESCET estimates to more accurate emissions data provided by our suppliers where possible”
“The University has already slashed its energy related carbon emissions from a peak of 25,900 tonnes CO2e in 2005 to 10,900 tonnes CO2e in 2025.”
“The 52-acre solar farm will generate enough energy to supply over 25% of the campus annual electricity demand.”
“New energy centre will generate enough low-carbon heat through air-source heat pumps to heat 95% of buildings on campus.”
“Lancaster University won £21 million from the Government's Green Heat Network Fund to expand its original district heat network and develop a new energy centre.”
“University Grounds and Clean team monitor and maintain over 278,000m2 of woodland, approximately 390,000m2 of grass”
“Lancaster University has joined the Nature Positive Universities Alliance founded by UNEP and the University of Oxford in partnership with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.”
“5th in the world for 'Life on Land' (UN's Sustainable Development Goal 15), which recognises our strong biodiversity on campus, flora and fauna monitoring and conservation”
“The project also includes a comprehensive landscaping scheme which will enhance hedgerows and woodland in the area”
“There has been a significant increase in the recycling rate at Lancaster University from less than 4% in 2006-07 to 72% in 2018/19.”
“75% of high-value suppliers are to be on contract by the end of 2024/25”
“we have zero exposure to fossil-fuel companies based on this criteria”
“the university has announced it will divest itself of investments in fossil fuel companies, as well as screening out arms trade and tobacco investments”
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How does Lancaster University compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where Lancaster University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Lancaster University sits 2nd of 67.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The one company in the sector scoring above Lancaster University.
See the full Higher Education / Universities table →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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