University of Surrey sustainability score: 49/100
Better than 23% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
University of Surrey is a public research institution in Guildford, England. It operates across science, technology, engineering, and social sciences, serving students.
More about University of Surrey
As a mid-sized UK higher education provider, it contributes to local carbon emissions through campus operations, supply chains, and student/staff travel.
Head office GBStaff 2,805 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £333M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
Surrey has disclosed Scope 1+2 emissions and a 2030 net-zero target using SBTi methodology, but renewable energy remains effectively absent (0.1% on-site generation), and Scope 3 data is three years stale. The 2030 plan relies on purchasing offsets for 54% of residual emissions. Transparency is solid; execution gaps are material.
University of Surrey scores 49/100 (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 Surrey joint 179th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 45th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of Surrey doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint: Operations (8/10, 6/10). Weakest on Energy Source and Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain (2/10, 4/10).
Where University of Surrey 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
- How clean its energy isMove to a renewable energy tariff or make a major efficiency investment.
- Emissions from its supply chainMeasure most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions.
- Its effect on waterMeasure its water footprint and set reduction targets.
Every question that lost points
- Emissions from its own operations6/10Its own emissions aren't independently verified or tracked over several years.
- Emissions from its supply chain4/10Most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions aren't measured.
- Whether its emissions are falling5/10No evidence of a year-on-year fall in its total emissions.
- How clean its energy is2/10No renewable energy tariff or major efficiency investment shown.
- 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 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 Surrey'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 Surrey's score based on?
15 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
67% of them were published by University of Surrey itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“14,693.4 tCO₂e Scope 1+2, UKPRN 10007160, 2023/24 Estates Management Record”
“"The University measures its scope 1 & 2 emissions using the higher education developed 'Standard Carbon Model'."”
“"140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for the year 2023/24."”
“Scope 3 Emissions Accounting Report, authored by University of Surrey Sustainability Team”
“"reducing scope 1 & 2 emissions by 19% in comparison to the baseline year"”
“"will step up its on-site renewable energy generation from 0.1% to 20% of total annual demand"”
“"Set to go live in 2025, the solar farm will be in operation for 35 years before being decommissioned."”
“"projected 24% biodiversity net gain (BNG) for habitat units, a 49% increase for hedgerows, and a 35% gain for watercourse units"”
“Operational Waste Management Plan 2025–2028 V1.0, referencing Procurement Plan 2024”
“"The University's Operational Waste Management Plan set outs our aims to divert 100% of waste from landfill."”
“"implemented intelligent controls, and reduced flush and flow rates across our campus to prevent water wastage"”
“"reduce absolute carbon emissions by 46 per cent over the subsequent 10 years... In 2030, the University will purchase carbon offsets to cover the remaining 54 per cent."”
“"Surrey's researchers share ideas and provide guidance on how other universities can apply the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)."”
“"Read the latest Sustainability Report (2024-2025) (PDF)"”
“No University of Surrey lobbying profile found on InfluenceMap's LobbyMap database”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
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How does University of Surrey compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of Surrey sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Surrey is tied =45th of 67, with 7 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Surrey.
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See the breakdown →Derby's carbon disclosures are methodologically sound but operationally modest.
See the breakdown →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.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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