University of The Arts London sustainability score: 52/100
Better than 56% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
University of The Arts London is a public arts university based in London, UK, specializing in design, fine art, fashion, and media education. It operates multiple campuses across the city.
More about University of The Arts London
As a higher education institution, UAL's primary environmental impacts stem from campus operations, procurement, and student and staff commuting.
Head office GBStaff 4,245 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £466M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
UAL has verified operational emissions reductions (48% since 2005) but supply-chain emissions remain unquantified and rising. Energy mix is only 25% renewable. The institution excels in governance transparency and board-level accountability but fails to measure or disclose Scope 3, the larger emissions source.
University of The Arts London scores 52/100 (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 The Arts London joint 109th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 26th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
What is University of The Arts London doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Carbon Footprint: Operations and Controversies & Red Flags (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint: Supply Chain and Energy Source (4/10, 4/10).
Where University of The Arts London 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 chainMeasure most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions.
- How clean its energy isShow at least half its energy is renewable, with a transition plan.
- Its effect on natureMeasure its effect on nature and have it independently verified.
Every question that lost points
- Emissions from its own operations8/10No verified figures published with their method and a falling trend.
- Emissions from its supply chain4/10Most 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 is4/10Less than half its energy shown to be renewable, or no transition plan.
- Its effect on nature4/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste4/10No measurable waste or recycling targets reported publicly.
- 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 annual impact report, or no pay linked to climate targets.
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 The Arts London'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 The Arts London's score based on?
9 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
56% of them were published by University of The Arts London itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 6515.7 tCO2e, 2023/24, HESA EMR Table-3, UKPRN 10007162”
“Our management systems are ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 accredited”
“commitment to achieve net zero by 2030 across scope 1 and 2 emissions and net zero total emissions by 2040”
“EMR documentation including scope 3 emissions”
“Scope 3, a much more substantial proportion of our emissions, has risen and requires urgent action”
“SBTi Target Dashboard — no UAL entry found as of September 2026”
“Scope 1 and 2 emissions to them annually as one of our institutional Key Performance Indicators”
“UAL has been accredited as a Bronze Carbon Literate Educator by the UN-recognised Carbon Literacy Project”
“the University of the Arts London (UAL)... met or exceeded the carbon target”
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How does University of The Arts London compare with other higher education / universities companies?
Where University of The Arts London sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of The Arts London is tied =26th of 67, with 4 others.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of The Arts London.
Loughborough has published specific decarbonisation targets and joined the Nature Positive Universities Alliance, but lacks independent validation of climate goals and Scope 3 quantification.
See the breakdown →Cardiff Met has reduced Scope 1+2 emissions 60% since 2005 and holds ISO 14001 certification, but supply chain mapping remains incomplete and recycling lags sector targets at 49%.
See the breakdown →Anglia Ruskin has achieved measurable carbon reductions (40% absolute Scope 1+2 vs 2005) and secured zero-carbon electricity via power purchase agreement.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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