University of Manchester sustainability score: 50/100
Better than 35% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
The University of Manchester is a research-intensive institution, based in Manchester, England. As a top-tier UK university, it conducts research across science, engineering, medicine, and social sciences, with significant fossil fuel and energy transition research partnerships.
Head office GBStaff 11,085 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £1.36B (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
Manchester has science-aligned 2038 zero-carbon targets and genuine third-party verified emissions data, but is materially off-trajectory: Scope 1+2 fell only 4% in 2023 versus the required 13% annual cut, and total Scope 3 emissions rose 18% since 2018. Active fossil fuel research partnerships with BP and Shell undermine credibility.
University of Manchester scores 50/100 (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 Manchester joint 155th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 38th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of Manchester doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Carbon Footprint: Operations and Transparency & Accountability (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain (4/10, 5/10).
Where University of Manchester 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.
- Emissions from its supply chainMeasure most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions.
- Its effect on natureMeasure its effect on nature and have it independently verified.
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 chain5/10Most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions aren't measured.
- 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 nature5/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste5/10No measurable waste or recycling targets reported publicly.
- Its effect on water5/10No measured water footprint with reduction targets.
- Its climate targets6/10Its targets aren't validated by 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 Manchester'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 Manchester's score based on?
19 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
63% of them were published by University of Manchester itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 46,852.3 tCO₂e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10007798”
“independent third party verification of our direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2 and selected Scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions”
“total energy consumption, including electricity, gas and oil usage for 2023/24 was 248 GWh”
“The Scope 3 results for 2022/2023 are 459,142 tCO2e”
“Scope 3 emissions account for c90% of our university's total carbon footprint”
“since 2018, we have achieved an average annual reduction of just 3% with a 5% reduction”
“The University of Manchester has signed a 10-year corporate PPA covering generation at the 71 MW Medebridge Solar Farm”
“up to 65% of our electricity demand is met from exclusive 'new-to-earth' renewable infrastructure”
“By 2028, the University has committed to measurable biodiversity improvements, including a 10% increase in urban green space”
“Taking bold action to reduce biodiversity impacts, protect and restore species and ecosystems”
“Calculate a baseline and set a target to provide a measurable improvement in biodiversity by 2030”
“The use of single use plastic items and packaging is prohibited, and reusable and sustainably sourced items are recommended”
“The most recent data reported on HESA indicates the volume of water used in the whole university was 685,990 m3 in the year 2024/25”
“The Vice-President for Social Responsibility, Prof Nalin Thakkar, is accountable for achieving the zero carbon 2038 target”
“Our carbon target for our operations (Scopes 1&2) is absolute zero carbon by 2038”
“The University of Manchester houses the BP Centre for Advanced Materials (ICAM) research unit”
“The University received £3,077,268 from fossil fuel companies between 2022 and 2023”
“Shell has given more than £2.1m to the university since 2016/17”
“140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for 2023/24”
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How does University of Manchester compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of Manchester sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Manchester is tied =38th of 67, with 6 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Manchester.
Glasgow Caledonian University reports comprehensive Scope 1+2 emissions data with a verified 27.7% reduction since 2005, but remains entirely gas-powered with zero renewable energy.
See the breakdown →CCCU has cut operational emissions 51% since 2005 and ranks gold-tier for energy efficiency among UK universities.
See the breakdown →Teesside University has cut operational emissions 42% since 2005 and maintains zero waste to landfill, backed by statutory HESA reporting.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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