Sunderland AFC scores 26/100 (Significant gaps) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified August 2026.
That places Sunderland AFC joint 533rd of 634 companies scored, and 16th of 20 in Professional Sports Clubs.
Sunderland AFC has launched a credible renewable energy transition programme with named targets (net zero 2040, energy self-sufficiency 2028) but publishes no emissions data, waste figures, or water consumption. The club's sustainability effort is strategy-led and senior-managed, yet lacks the baseline measurements and third-party verification needed to prove actual progress.
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 formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Energy Source (7/10, 4/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Emissions Trajectory (2/10, 2/10).
11 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
“Club has set ambitious sustainability targets, aiming to be energy self-sufficient from renewable sources by 2028”
“Sunderland AFC has unveiled a new sustainability strategy to reduce its impact on the environment”
“Sunderland's strategy is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”
“generating up to 40 MW of renewable energy that will power 12,000 homes”
“club said the application was a step towards 'becoming one of the first net zero clubs in the United Kingdom'”
“club said it would remove more than 1,700 panels from the farm and put a waterbody in place”
“biodiversity enhancements would include improvements to hedgerows, to 'reinstating biodiverse habita'”
“'We're not interested in greenwashing, we wanted to make that clear from the start'”
“Ready Eco sustainability strategy, which underlines the aspiration to become energy-sufficient from renewable sources by 2028 and achieving net zero by 2040”
“As part of its Ready Eco strategy, Sunderland aims to be energy-sufficient by 2028 and reach net zero by 2040”
“Average home league attendance: 46,824”
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Where Sunderland AFC sits among professional sports clubs peers.
Among the 20 major professional sports clubs brands we've scored, Sunderland AFC sits 16th of 20.
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Sunderland AFC is a professional football club based in Sunderland, England, competing in the Premier League. Founded in 1879, the club operates the Stadium of Light (49,000 capacity), an academy training facility, and associated retail operations. Mid-sized operator by turnover (£40.3m in 2024-25) with material energy, water, and waste footprints.
Peer professional football club; comparable stadium operations and scale in Premier League.
View breakdown →Peer professional football club; similar operational footprint and match-day attendance volumes.
View breakdown →Peer professional football club; equivalent infrastructure and energy consumption profile.
View breakdown →Peer professional football club; comparable mid-to-large stadium operations and sustainability programme scope.
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