University of Cambridge sustainability score: 53/100
Better than 64% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
University of Cambridge is a collegiate research university in England. A leading global institution in higher education, science, and research.
More about University of Cambridge
Operates a substantial operational estate plus rural property, research laboratories, and press/assessment subsidiaries.
Founded 1209Head office GBStaff 12,275 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £2.63B (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
Cambridge has audited operational emissions falling 66% since 2015 and a wind PPA covering 17% of electricity. But Scope 3 remains unmeasured, recent gas consumption rose 4%, and fossil fuel research partnerships (Shell, BP) undercut divestment claims. Incomplete decarbonisation masked by headline numbers.
University of Cambridge scores 53/100 (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 October 2026.
That places University of Cambridge joint 86th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 16th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of Cambridge doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Carbon Footprint: Operations and Transparency & Accountability (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain (4/10, 5/10).
Where University of Cambridge 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
- Its effect on waterMeasure its water footprint and set reduction targets.
- Emissions from its supply chainMeasure most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions.
- Whether its emissions are fallingShow a year-on-year fall in its total emissions.
Every question that lost points
- Emissions from its own operations8/10No verified figures published with their method and a falling trend.
- Emissions from its supply chain5/10Most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions aren't measured.
- Whether its emissions are falling5/10No evidence of a year-on-year fall in its total emissions.
- How clean its energy is5/10Less than half its energy shown to be renewable, or no transition plan.
- Its effect on nature5/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste5/10No 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 reports7/10No annual impact report, or no pay linked to climate targets.
- Its record on controversies7/10Points 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 University of Cambridge's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleWhat evidence is University of Cambridge's score based on?
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
75% of them were published by University of Cambridge itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions: 51,055.8 tCO2e (2023/24, UKPRN 10007788, HESA Table-3)”
“the University's total energy use is on an upward trend; total electricity consumption has increased by around 9% since 2015-16”
“Market-based emissions increased by 1.7% in 2024-25 against 2023-24 levels”
“Cambridge has become the first university in the world to announce that it has adopted a 1.5 degrees Science Based Target”
“the University has introduced a new Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets out the minimum sustainability and environmental standards”
“PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has performed an Independent Limited Assurance engagement on selected balances within the 2024-25 data”
“We are making sure we comply with mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements in a way that benefits nature as much as possible”
“The introduction of separate food waste collections has increased operational waste recycling rates to 50% in 2024-25”
“As Cambridge is a water stressed area, we have a responsibility to ensure that our water use is managed effectively”
“We have yet to establish an accurate trend relating to our water use”
“Tens of millions in collegiate investments were also shown to be put into Vanguard funds, an asset manager that has led a pushback against environmental and social governance”
“Cambridge University has a goal of absolute net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2038. In 2020, it also pledged to divest its £3.5 billion endowment”
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How does University of Cambridge compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of Cambridge sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Cambridge is tied =16th of 67, with 9 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Cambridge.
Strathclyde has cut absolute emissions 40% since 2018/19 and publishes credible HESA-verified data, but missed its own 70%-by-2025 interim target by half.
See the breakdown →Bristol has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 56% since 2005 and publishes verified data.
See the breakdown →Birmingham City University has documented operational carbon cuts of 59% since 2005, backed by statutory HESA data and ISO 14001 certification.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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