Swansea University sustainability score: 56/100
Better than 91% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
Swansea University is a research-led institution in Wales, UK, with campuses in Swansea and Gower. It serves students and is a major regional employer.
More about Swansea University
The university operates across engineering, sciences, business, and humanities disciplines.
Head office GBStaff 3,570 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £382M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
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.
Swansea University scores 56/100 (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 Swansea University joint 40th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 4th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is Swansea University doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Carbon Footprint: Operations and Emissions Trajectory (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Energy Source and Water Impact (4/10, 5/10).
Where Swansea 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 waterMeasure its water footprint and set reduction targets.
- Its climate targetsMake its targets science-based, or commit to the Science Based Targets initiative.
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 is4/10Less than half its energy shown to be renewable, or no transition plan.
- Its effect on nature6/10No verified restoration beyond its own footprint, or supply chain not mapped for nature risk.
- How it uses materials and handles waste7/10No verified figures for reuse and recycling across the business.
- 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 reports7/10No annual impact report, or no pay linked to climate targets.
- Its record on controversies6/10Points deducted for controversies or its business model. The finding is under question 10.
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 Swansea University's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleWhat evidence is Swansea University's score based on?
18 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
50% of them were published by Swansea University itself; the rest come from independent sources.
9 of 18 sources are independent of the company.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 10,763.1 tCO₂e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10007855”
“The methodology used to calculate the carbon footprint follows the guidance set out in the GHG Protocol's corporate standard.”
“140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for the year 2023/24.”
“Scope 3 emissions calculated in the following areas: Waste, Water, Procurement (supply chain), staff and student business trips, commuting”
“Calculating & Reporting Scope 3 Supply Chain Emissions – Swansea University”
“Scope 3 carbon emissions from business travel, staff commuting, student commuting, waste, water supply, wastewater treatment, supply chain”
“The University has already cut carbon emissions from its campuses and fleet by 45 per cent”
“23% increase in total fleet mileage, and a doubling of diesel fueled mileage has increase overall emissions”
“1800 new roof solar panels installed across both campuses, reducing the need to consume grid electricity”
“Swansea University has delivered £156,000 in energy and operational savings as part of a programme to modernise its two campuses”
“Tim completed over 300 habitat condition surveys, giving us a biodiversity baseline on which to build.”
“managing Crymlyn Burrows as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and earning Bee Friendly and Hedgehog Friendly Gold status”
“Swansea University is a Zero Waste to Landfill university... the Carbon Trust”
“Chartwells achieving a Three-Star Food Made Good Standard — the highest accreditation awarded by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).”
“committed to achieving zero carbon for direct emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2035, with at least a 70% reduction by 2030”
“Its goal is net-zero carbon across Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035, with Scope 3 emissions cut by half.”
“removed pledges from its Ethical Careers Policy to 'not knowingly devise marketing campaigns advertising...roles which contribute to the detrimental effects of the fossil fuels'”
“The Estates Management Record (EMR)... is a statutory requirement for HEPs in Wales”
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How does Swansea University compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where Swansea University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Swansea University is tied =4th of 67, with 3 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above Swansea University.
Manchester Met has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 65% since 2005 and publishes audited sustainability data annually.
See the breakdown →Lancaster has cut operational emissions 44% since 2005 and installed significant renewable capacity, but recycling collapsed to 28% from 72%, masking weak resource management.
See the breakdown →LJMU has achieved genuine absolute emissions cuts (65.5% since 2005) backed by statutory HESA data and ISO 14001 verification.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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