University of Chester sustainability score: 44/100
Better than 14% of Higher Education / Universities
Making progress starts at 46. The highest score on SINK is 71.
University of Chester is a mid-sized UK teaching and research institution with approximately 13,000 FTE students and staff. Based in Chester, England, it operates multiple campuses and offers programmes across arts, sciences, social sciences, and professional disciplines.
More about University of Chester
It is a regional player in UK higher education.
Head office GBStaff 1,600 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £148M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
University of Chester has documented carbon operations via statutory HESA reporting but lacks external verification and Scope 3 disclosure. Its 2030 net zero target is self-set without validation, and a 12.3% absolute emissions reduction since 2005 falls far short of what's needed. Renewable energy is only 14.6% of supply, with major solar and heat pump work delayed to 2028.
University of Chester scores 44/100 (Below expectations) 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 University of Chester joint 306th of 1,023 companies scored, and 58th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of Chester doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint: Operations (8/10, 6/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain and Energy Source (3/10, 3/10).
Where University of Chester 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 chainAssess where its supply-chain emissions come from.
- How clean its energy isMove to a renewable energy tariff or make a major efficiency investment.
- Its effect on natureAssess its effect on nature and publish a basic environmental policy.
Every question that lost points
- Emissions from its own operations6/10Its own emissions aren't independently verified or tracked over several years.
- Emissions from its supply chain3/10No assessment of where its supply-chain emissions come from.
- Whether its emissions are falling4/10No evidence of a year-on-year fall in its total emissions.
- How clean its energy is3/10No renewable energy tariff or major efficiency investment shown.
- Its effect on nature3/10No assessment of its effect on nature, and no basic environmental policy.
- How it uses materials and handles waste5/10No measurable waste or recycling targets reported publicly.
- Its effect on water3/10No monitoring of water use, or no measures to reduce it.
- Its climate targets4/10Its targets aren't science-based or committed to the Science Based Targets initiative.
- How openly it reports5/10No dedicated sustainability role, board oversight or public report.
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 Chester'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 Chester's score based on?
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
67% of them were published by University of Chester itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions (Kg CO2e), 2023/24 — HESA Table-3, UKPRN 10007848”
“Reporting and measurement of our progress against sustainability targets and goals”
“2030 Achieve Net Zero targets for Scope 1 & 2 — UoC Sustainability Team”
“As a large organisation the University can influence the wider environment, particularly through how and what goods and services we purchase”
“Planting new areas with naturalising spring bulbs that are pollinator friendly — including snowdrops, crocus, narcissi, fritillaria”
“Our frameworks, commitments and decision-making processes that guide how sustainability is managed and embedded at the University”
“Sustainability Vision, Policy and Strategy — meet the sustainability team”
“Sustainability Policy 2026/27 … Sustainable Food and Catering Policy … Tree Management and Protection Policy”
“replacement of end-of-life gas boilers with heat pump technology, installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels”
“Other organisations to be awarded funding include Manchester City Council, the University of Chester”
“we aim to increase recycling rates to 65% by 2025 and 75% by 2030”
“The University's Grounds and Gardens and Sustainability team has created a whole new space for nature on a plot of land next to the institution's Sumner House accommodation block”
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How does University of Chester compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of Chester sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Chester sits 58th of 67.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Chester.
University of Stirling has cut operational emissions 42% since 2007 and publishes dual statutory disclosures, but supply chain emissions remain unquantified and renewable energy was zero in 2023/24.
See the breakdown →Glasgow School of Art demonstrates real emissions reductions (31.9% intensity improvement over nine years) and exceptional waste management (93.9% recycling), but lags critically on renewable energy—zero on-site generation and no confirmed green tariff.
See the breakdown →Leeds Arts University operates a genuinely small carbon footprint (579 tCO₂e) with verified seven-year reductions of 35%.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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