University of South Wales 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 University of South Wales joint 75th of 780 companies scored, and joint 16th of 66 in Higher Education / Universities.
USW has delivered solid operational emissions cuts (63% Scope 1+2 reduction since 2005) and locked in 100% renewable electricity since 2016/17, but recycling performance collapsed from 48% to 34% year-on-year, and supply chain emissions—89% of total footprint—remain unverified and largely unmanaged. Targets are self-set without 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 (9/10, 7/10). Weakest on Targets & Commitments and Resource Use & Waste (4/10, 4/10).
10 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 5,597.4 tCO2e (HESA Table-3, 2023/24, UKPRN 10007793)”
“emissions data calculated using physical data and the application of the UK Government Conversion Factors (2023) for company reporting”
“Over 80% of our estate has been converted to LED lighting”
“Ensure 80% of top 50 suppliers (by spend) have a carbon footprint on Net Positives by end of 2028”
“USW has purchased 100% renewable electricity since 2016/17”
“Bird and bat boxes are in place on Treforest and Glyntaff Campuses”
“USW's choice to remove fossil fuel companies from its investment portfolio made it the final Welsh university to join the initiative”
“The University of South Wales has now become the latest Welsh University to boycott fossil fuel industry recruitment through its careers service”
“our carbon strategy has been developed to complement our USW 2030 Strategy and will enable the university to achieve our vision to be net zero by 2040”
“USW has achieved a 38% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions since 2018/19”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Where University of South Wales sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 66 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of South Wales is tied =16th of 66, with 10 others.
As University of South Wales'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.
University of South Wales is a public research and teaching institution based in Wales, with campuses in Treforest, Glyntaff, and Cardiff. It teaches across engineering, business, health, and creative disciplines.
Peer research institution in Wales; direct comparator for emissions trajectory and net zero targets.
View breakdown →Peer research institution in Wales; comparable size and sector for sustainability performance benchmarking.
View breakdown →Russell Group university with established net zero commitment; reference for third-party verification and supply chain scope.
View breakdown →UK post-1992 university; peer for waste management, water reporting, and biodiversity action plan frameworks.
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