Cardiff University scores 53/100 (Making progress) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified September 2026.
That places Cardiff University joint 75th of 780 companies scored, and joint 16th of 66 in Higher Education / Universities.
Cardiff University has established competent operational carbon governance with ISO 14001 certification and a 25.8% absolute Scope 1+2 reduction since 2005. However, Scope 3 remains unquantified and untracked; supply chain emissions data is fragmentary and acknowledged as methodologically immature. Fossil fuel divestment is enshrined in policy, but the net-zero 2030 target lacks SBTi validation.
This score is built from public data only. If your practice is stronger than your disclosure, submit evidence for review — or challenge any question, free.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint — Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain and Targets & Commitments (4/10, 5/10).
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 23595.2 tCO2e, UKPRN 10007814, 2023/24”
“calculated our carbon emissions for the latest complete reporting year using two separate frameworks”
“independently audited and certified to the ISO 14001 international standard”
“changes will help the university save 1,363 t/CO2e each year, which is around 5% of our Scope 1 and 2”
“Cardiff University has secured £8.8m... to introduce low-carbon upgrades to its Cathays campus”
“ERBAP based on assessing and improving the five attributes... diversity, extent, condition, connectivity, and adaptability”
“Established eight Biodiversity Hubs across the University”
“priority areas of focus to reduce our environmental impact and carbon emissions”
“fully divested from fossil fuels – a year ahead of schedule”
“Cardiff University and Kings College London are among the universities which do include their commitment in ethical investment policy”
“ranked 3rd among higher education institutions in the UK for Life Below Water”
“ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised standard that sets out a framework for an effective environmental management system”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Where Cardiff University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 66 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Cardiff University is tied =16th of 66, with 10 others.
As Cardiff University's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
This score is not currently being contested.
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Cardiff University is a research-intensive institution in Wales, UK. The university operates a substantial estate across central Cardiff and conducts significant laboratory-based research, placing it mid-tier by UK research output and carbon footprint among Russell Group peers.
UK research-intensive university with significant estate carbon footprint and divestment commitment.
View breakdown →Peer Russell Group institution with comparable student body and research laboratory demands.
View breakdown →Welsh higher education peer with shared regulatory reporting under Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
View breakdown →Research-specialist institution with significant energy-intensive facilities and net-zero commitments.
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