Imperial College London 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 Imperial College London joint 75th of 780 companies scored, and joint 16th of 66 in Higher Education / Universities.
Imperial has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 49% from 2005 baseline and reports via statutory HESA data, but relies on unverified Scope 3 estimates and unbundled renewable certificates. No absolute Scope 3 target exists. Credible 2024 journalism documented fossil fuel holdings and ongoing energy company partnerships before partial divestment.
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 Carbon Footprint — Operations and Emissions Trajectory (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Nature & Biodiversity Impact and Targets & Commitments (3/10, 4/10).
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 42,411.4 tCO2e, 2023/24 (HESA Table-3, UKPRN 10003270)”
“With 83% of our emissions being scope 3, everybody has a part to play”
“Business travel: 34,473 tCO2e (17%)”
“From 2022-23 onwards, we have reported our carbon emissions using the EAUC Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework”
“Scope 3 emissions of goods and services were calculated based on the approach used in HESCET and Net Positive's Net Zero Carbon Supplier Tool”
“We are buying electricity backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO)”
“A Biodiversity and Habitat Survey was undertaken by the College in 2021 to inform college-wide greening efforts”
“Our sustainable travel policy has helped us build a stronger approach to reducing our scope 3 emissions, with a 34% fall in emissions from business travel”
“Imperial wants to reduce travel emissions by 25% by 2026”
“SBTi Target Dashboard lists companies with validated or committed targets — Imperial College London not found”
“Imperial stands as one of the few Russell Group universities still investing its endowment in fossil fuels”
“Seaweed-based packaging expected to replace more than 450,000 single-use plastic items on campus a year”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Where Imperial College London sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 66 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Imperial College London is tied =16th of 66, with 10 others.
As Imperial College London's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
This score is not currently being contested.
Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.
No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.
Imperial College London is a public research university, headquartered in London, UK. It specializes in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM). As a Russell Group institution with significant research output, it operates multiple urban campuses (South Kensington, White City, Hammersmith) plus Silwood Park estate.
UK higher education peer; comparable sector position and research output scale.
View breakdown →UK Russell Group university; similar geographic footprint and research-intensive profile.
View breakdown →UK research university; comparable scale and sustainability reporting maturity.
View breakdown →Specialist UK research institution; similar STEM focus and carbon reporting structure.
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