University of Strathclyde sustainability score: 54/100
Better than 79% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
University of Strathclyde is a research-led institution in Glasgow, UK, with significant research output. It operates an urban campus with statutory reporting to HESA and the Scottish Government.
More about University of Strathclyde
The university integrates sustainability into governance (KPI 16 in Strathclyde 2030 Strategic Plan) and ranked joint 25th globally in THE Impact Rankings 2024.
Head office GBStaff 4,155 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £432M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
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. Scope 3 emissions remain unquantified despite recent inclusion in net zero targets. No SBTi validation and reliance on unbundled green tariffs limit credibility.
University of Strathclyde scores 54/100 (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 Strathclyde joint 71st of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 11th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of Strathclyde doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint: Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 4/10).
Where University of Strathclyde 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.
- Its effect on natureMeasure its effect on nature and have it independently verified.
- 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 chain3/10No 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 is6/10Less than 90% of its energy shown to be renewable.
- Its effect on nature4/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste7/10No verified figures for reuse and recycling across the business.
- Its effect on water5/10No 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 reports7/10No mission-locked structure, such as B Corp certification.
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 Strathclyde'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 Strathclyde's score based on?
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
58% of them were published by University of Strathclyde itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 22626.8 tCO2e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10007805”
“140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for the year 2023/24”
“University of Strathclyde Climate Change Report 2024-25”
“this data is not as accurate as that for our Scope 1 and 2 emissions”
“negative impacts on the environment e.g. waste, carbon emissions, transport miles”
“financial pressure that the University sector in Scotland has been under, activity has primarily focused on strategic planning, with fewer large scale decarbonisation projects”
“Document format update, updated waste figures and targets, content review — October 2024”
“A policy for the management of surface, potable and waste water at the University — October 2024”
“The University of Strathclyde recognises that our land and property assets encompass a range of habitats and species”
“The SBTi's Target Dashboard lists companies and financial institutions that have set science-based targets”
“Single-use plastic elimination: Progress work to remove single use plastics wherever possible”
“InfluenceMap maintains the world's leading database on corporate and industry association climate policy engagement”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Is this your company? Claim this profile (free)
Use this score in tenders
Send the link, or the one-page score sheet. It links back to this page and every source. Free.
Open the score sheet →Send new evidence, free
Scored low because little is published? Publish what you do and send us the link, free. If it holds up, your score changes, and the change is logged on your page.
How to send evidence →Put your score on your website, free
It shows the current band, sector rank and score, and links to this page, so it changes when the score does.
Track this score
Bidding for a public contract? Check if you need a Carbon Reduction Plan, free →
Want your own page like this?
Free, independent, every source shown. Send it to any buyer who asks about your sustainability.
How does University of Strathclyde compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of Strathclyde sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Strathclyde is tied =11th of 67, with 4 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Strathclyde.
Aberystwyth has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 50% from 2005 baseline and publishes statutory HESA data annually, backed by £10m renewable investment.
See the breakdown →DMU has cut operational carbon 62% since 2005 via efficiency gains, but supply chain emissions are rising 40% above baseline.
See the breakdown →Edinburgh has cut operational carbon intensity 35% over a decade and acquired 5,035 hectares for habitat restoration, but leaves Scope 3 emissions unquantified.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
One email, every Sunday. Score changes, new research, the stories behind the numbers. Free.
We'll send one email to confirm. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
Checking a company?
Search free →Asked to prove you're sustainable?
Get your business scored, free →Been scored?
Find your page and claim it, free →Scores are free. Nobody can pay to change a score, speed it up or hide it.