University of Sheffield sustainability score: 53/100
Better than 64% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
The University of Sheffield is a research-intensive higher education institution in northern England. It operates multiple campuses with significant estate and energy footprint, conducting research across STEM, social sciences, and humanities.
More about University of Sheffield
A member of the Russell Group, Sheffield engages with industry partnerships including energy and technology sectors.
Head office GBStaff 7,750 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £895M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
Sheffield publishes mandatory emissions data and has achieved 33% Scope 1+2 reduction since 2005, but Scope 3 remains unquantified and targets have weakened. Gas heating dominates energy; renewable electricity is verified but minimal on-site generation. Research partnership with Drax, the UK's largest CO₂ emitter, attracts credible NGO criticism.
University of Sheffield 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 Sheffield joint 86th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 16th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of Sheffield doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Carbon Footprint: Operations and Controversies & Red Flags (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain (4/10, 5/10).
Where University of Sheffield 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.
- 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 falling6/10No consistent fall over several years across its operations and supply chain.
- 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 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.
- 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 Sheffield'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 Sheffield's score based on?
17 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
76% of them were published by University of Sheffield itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 2023/24: 28,339.6 tCO₂e (HESA Table-3, UKPRN 10007157)”
“The University purchases 100% renewable electricity; gross figures do not accurately portray the carbon intensity of our electricity supply.”
“our purchased electricity is sourced solely from solar, wind, and hydro power, and this is audited and verified by the independent third party, Eco Act”
“Scope 3 emissions account for around 90 per cent of the University's total carbon footprint.”
“We have already reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by more than 40 per cent since our 2018/19 baseline”
“better data on our supply chains, travel, IT, food and waste has revealed that some of our early assumptions were overly optimistic”
“the entire University's estate will be supplied with our zero carbon, 100% renewable annually matched electricity, sourced from Solar, Wind and/or Hydro power”
“We remain heavily reliant on natural gas for space and water heating, and for our on-site combined heat and power engine.”
“In 2023 we published the third edition of our Biodiversity Action Plan, with new actions such as supporting hedgehog recovery and improving ecological connections.”
“Planted an additional 314 trees, bringing the total number of trees on campus to around 10,400.”
“the University has added 800 square metres of wildflower turf across campus”
“purchased goods and services account for around 60% of our total carbon emissions, far outweighing the impact of waste disposal itself”
“At Sheffield, we recognise that sustainable development cannot be adequately addressed by a single individual or team working in isolation.”
“The University of Sheffield has become a founding signatory of a new declaration of climate expectations.”
“Maintained £0 invested in fossil fuels and continued to increase the proportion of positive investments.”
“Environmental campaigners have mounted a demonstration on the campus of Sheffield University against the institution's research partnership with Drax power station.”
“By partnering with Drax for carbon capture research, the University is aligning itself with an environmentally damaging, high-polluting corporation.”
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How does University of Sheffield compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of Sheffield sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Sheffield 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 Sheffield.
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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