University of East Anglia sustainability score: 51/100
Better than 45% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
University of East Anglia is a research-intensive institution in Norwich, UK. UEA operates a 360-acre campus and hosts the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the Climatic Research Unit, contributing to IPCC assessments and global climate policy.
Head office GBStaff 3,310 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £347M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
UEA has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 32% since 2015 and publishes statutory HESA data annually, but Scope 3 remains unreported. Heating fuel dependency blocks deeper progress; waste recycling at 24.5% lags sector norms. Climate research credentials are strong; no environmental controversies.
University of East Anglia scores 51/100 (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 University of East Anglia joint 129th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 31st of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of East Anglia doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint: Operations (9/10, 7/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain and Resource Use & Waste (2/10, 3/10).
Where University of East Anglia 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 it uses materials and handles wasteShow active waste reduction, reuse or repair.
- Its effect on waterMeasure its water footprint and set reduction targets.
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 chain2/10No assessment of where its supply-chain emissions come from.
- Whether its emissions are falling6/10No consistent fall over several years across its operations and supply chain.
- How clean its energy is5/10Less 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 waste3/10No active waste reduction, reuse or repair shown.
- 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 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 University of East Anglia's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleHas University of East Anglia's score changed?
University of East Anglia's score has been reviewed 2 times and currently stands where it started, at 51.
- 51 → 517 November 2026
Correction, 7 November 2026: removed an unsourced emissions figure. Score unchanged.
- Scored 5127 September 2026
Initial public score 51 (publish-draft)
What evidence is University of East Anglia's score based on?
13 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
62% of them were published by University of East Anglia itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 14891.9 tCO2e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10007789”
“We purchase REGO certificates for 100% of our electricity, making our supply zero-carbon if reported under a market-based approach.”
“Our campus continues to be recognised for its green spaces, proudly winning our eighth Green Flag award”
“UEA Biodiversity Heroes initiative has seen more than 100 native trees planted to support wildlife on its campus”
“UEA comes 12th under SDG 15 - life on land – which measures institutions on their ability to 'protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems'”
“UEA campus receives seventh consecutive Green Flag Award, recognizing its outstanding green spaces and environmental standards”
“UEA sustainable labs programme document”
“UEA energy and water sustainability page covering monitoring and management”
“SBTi target dashboard — no UEA entry found”
“UEA Sustainability Committee minutes, July 2022 — formal governance record”
“UEA Sustainability Committee — board oversight of sustainability strategy and targets”
“Verdict: Exoneration or withdrawal of all major or serious charges — Climategate inquiry”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
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How does University of East Anglia compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of East Anglia sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of East Anglia is tied =31st of 67, with 6 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of East Anglia.
Edinburgh Napier has achieved substantial operational emissions reductions (49% absolute since 2018/19) and maintains transparent public reporting via HESA.
See the breakdown →UAL has verified operational emissions reductions (48% since 2005) but supply-chain emissions remain unquantified and rising.
See the breakdown →Warwick has met interim carbon targets through operational gas phase-out and renewable electricity, but Scope 3 emissions—three-quarters of its footprint—lack annual disclosure and reduction milestones.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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