Cardiff University is a research-intensive institution in Wales, UK.
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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.
Cardiff University scores 53/100 (Making progress) on SINK's independent climate assessment, scored from public data only. Fees pay for the review, never the result. Last verified September 2026.
That places Cardiff University joint 80th of 847 companies scored, and joint 16th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where Cardiff University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Cardiff University is tied =16th of 67, with 10 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
No consolidated Scope 3 total published; university acknowledges data quality improvements may show apparent emissions increases.
No TNFD alignment or verified species/habitat extent data published.
Full circularity programme not published.
A score changes when the evidence does. We use new published evidence at the next rescore. Evidence that isn't public can count through an evidence review.
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Get in touch →Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint — Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (4/10, 5/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above Cardiff University.
Strathclyde has cut absolute emissions 40% since 2018/19 and publishes credible HESA-verified data, but missed its own 70%-by-2025 interim target by half.
See the breakdown →Bristol has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 56% since 2005 and publishes verified data.
See the breakdown →Cranfield has cut operational emissions 51% since 2005 and publishes credible data, but Scope 3 remains unmeasured and unverified.
See the breakdown →The formula and all 12 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten 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.
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.
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