University of Exeter 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 Exeter is a research-led institution in south-west England with four campuses. It ranks among the UK's top 20 universities by research output.
More about University of Exeter
The institution focuses on environment, social science, and engineering disciplines alongside traditional humanities and sciences.
Head office GBStaff 6,075 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £665M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
Exeter has cut operational emissions 45% since 2005 and ranks first globally for water management research. Total emissions remain 13% above 2018 baseline, driven by Scope 3 growth. The Shell partnership (£14.7M over five years) undercuts climate credibility despite the university's explicit shift away from offsetting.
University of Exeter 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 September 2026.
That places University of Exeter joint 86th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 16th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of Exeter doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Carbon Footprint: Operations and Water Impact (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Targets & Commitments (4/10, 5/10).
Where University of Exeter 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
- Whether its emissions are fallingShow a year-on-year fall in its total emissions.
- Its climate targetsMake its targets science-based, or commit to the Science Based Targets initiative.
- 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 falling4/10No evidence of a year-on-year fall in its total emissions.
- How clean its energy is6/10Less than 90% of its energy shown to be renewable.
- 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 waste6/10No verified figures for reuse and recycling across the business.
- Its effect on water7/10No water stewardship programme or verified fall in water use.
- 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 University of Exeter'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 Exeter's score based on?
14 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
64% of them were published by University of Exeter itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 13,584.7 tCO2e, 2023/24 (HESA Table-3, UKPRN 10007792)”
“Near-term target: To reduce emissions by 26% by 2030 from 104,043 tCO2e in 2023/24”
“Sustainability Data Assurance — University of Exeter, contract award notice 2024/S 000-011660”
“For the first time the data has been through a vigorous assurance process through PwC”
“Scope 3 emissions from water show a reduction from 425 tCO2e in 2018/19 to 149 tCO2e in 2023/24”
“We will follow the mitigation conservation hierarchy when considering the impacts of University activities on biodiversity”
“Biodiversity units recorded for campuses at Streatham (2021), St Luke's (2021), Penryn (2019) and Duryard (2023)”
“We are developing a biodiversity footprint for the whole University, including our activities at St Luke's and Penryn campuses”
“In 2024-25, approximately 95% of our waste was recycled, composted, combusted or sent for anaerobic digestion”
“In 2024-25 recycling increased by 10.8% and general waste reduced by 17% on Penryn Campus”
“The University of Exeter has received the most from fossil fuel firms since 2022, having signed a £14.7 million, five-year deal with Shell”
“University of Exeter tops UK fossil fuel funding table following £14.7 million deal with Shell”
“Exeter has been ranked first in the world in the Clean Water and Sanitation category of The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023”
“Selected carbon metrics have undergone an independent assurance process to enhance the credibility and reliability of the data we report”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
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How does University of Exeter compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of Exeter sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Exeter 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 Exeter.
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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