QinetiQ sustainability score: 43/100
Making progress starts at 46. The highest score on SINK is 71.
Limited independent evidence: only two independent sources cover this company. The score may change as more evidence appears.
QinetiQ provides defence and security services to the UK and its allies, including research, engineering, test and evaluation ranges, training and mission support. Most of its revenue comes from governments: £1,290.4 million from the UK government and £248.8 million from the US government in its year to 31 March 2026.
More about QinetiQ
QinetiQ Group plc was incorporated in 2002 under the name QinetiQ Holdings Limited. It had a monthly average of 7,722 employees and £1,922.6 million revenue in its year to 31 March 2026.
Founded 2002Head office Farnborough, United KingdomStaff ~7,722 monthly average (FY26, year to 31 March 2026)Revenue ~£1.92B revenue (£1,922.6M, FY26 to 31 March 2026)Website ↗
QinetiQ's footprint was 349,699 tCO2e in FY25, about 92% of it in its supply chain. Its Scope 1 and 2 emissions fell to 22,764 tCO2e in FY26, 36% below FY20, but its supply-chain emissions rose in FY25 as it bought more goods and services, so the direction of the total is not clear. It publishes no renewable electricity share, and jet fuel is a main direct source. Its SBTi-validated targets are absolute: Scope 1 and 2 down 50% and Scope 3 down 30% by FY30 from FY20, and net zero by FY50. PwC gives limited assurance on Scope 1 and 2, but Scope 3 is unassured and it publishes no water data.
QinetiQ scores 43/100 (Below expectations) 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 November 2026.
That places QinetiQ joint 343rd of 1,043 companies scored, and 1st of 5 in Defence.
What is QinetiQ doing well, and where does it fall short?
Strongest on Targets & Commitments and Carbon Footprint: Operations (9/10, 8/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Water Impact (2/10, 2/10).
Where QinetiQ 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
- Whether its emissions are fallingShow its emissions are falling.
- Its effect on waterMonitor its water use and take measures to reduce it.
- How clean its energy isMove to a renewable energy tariff or make a major efficiency investment.
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 chain6/10No full value-chain map or supplier engagement programme.
- Whether its emissions are falling2/10No evidence its emissions are falling.
- How clean its energy is3/10No renewable energy tariff or major efficiency investment shown.
- Its effect on nature4/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste3/10No active waste reduction, reuse or repair shown.
- Its effect on water2/10No monitoring of water use, or no measures to reduce it.
- Its climate targets9/10No validated long-term net zero target.
- 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 QinetiQ's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleWhat evidence is QinetiQ's score based on?
9 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
44% of them were published by QinetiQ itself; the rest come from independent sources.
“Total FY26 Scope 1 emissions were 17,020 tCO2e”
“The data is subject to independent third-party Limited Assurance.”
“Jet Fuel consumption (Scope 1)”
“For purchased goods and services (Category 1), the spend-based method is used”
“QinetiQ estimates that 80% of its emissions come from procured goods, capital goods and services”
“Cymdeithas y Cymod has raised concerns over the potential impact live firing may have on the unique biodiversity of the bay”
“operation of two explosive waste incinerators at MOD Shoeburyness”
“The Installation is: Avocet Incinerator”
“View the permit issued for Avocet Incinerator, Southend-on-Sea under the Industrial Emissions Directive.”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
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How does QinetiQ compare with other defence companies?
QinetiQ is the highest-scoring defence company we've rated.
Among the 5 major defence brands we've scored, QinetiQ sits 1st of 5.
Who comes next in Defence?
QinetiQ leads its sector. These are the next 3 down.
Babcock has validated science-based targets and publishes comprehensive Scope 1&2 data, but Scope 3 emissions—97% of its footprint—rose 29.7% since 2021.
See the breakdown →BAE Systems reports operational emissions reductions but Scope 1 rose year-on-year, and Scope 3, the bulk of its footprint, is only estimated from revenue.
See the breakdown →RTX's Scope 1 and 2 emissions are 27% below 2019, but its Scope 3, about 95% of its footprint, has not fallen, and the use-phase emissions of its engines rose in the latest data.
See the breakdown →Which companies moved this week, and why.
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