Cranfield University is a UK-based postgraduate-focused research institution specialising in aerospace, defence, engineering, and sustainable technology.
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Cranfield has cut operational emissions 51% since 2005 and publishes credible data, but Scope 3 remains unmeasured and unverified. Supply chain emissions dwarf direct operations yet lack published figures. Energy remains gas-dominated despite solar expansion. No red flags found.
Cranfield University scores 54/100 (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 Cranfield University joint 64th of 847 companies scored, and joint 11th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where Cranfield University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Cranfield University is tied =11th of 67, with 4 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
No published verified Scope 3 total exists.
The full reasoning is in the ten questions below.
No TNFD disclosure or supply chain nature risk assessment.
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 Energy Source (3/10, 5/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above Cranfield University.
Aberystwyth has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 50% from 2005 baseline and publishes statutory HESA data annually, backed by £10m renewable investment.
See the breakdown →DMU has cut operational carbon 62% since 2005 via efficiency gains, but supply chain emissions are rising 40% above baseline.
See the breakdown →Edinburgh has cut operational carbon intensity 35% over a decade and acquired 5,035 hectares for habitat restoration, but leaves Scope 3 emissions unquantified—likely exceeding 300,000 tCO₂e when included.
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.
Limited data coverage. This assessment is based on 12 sources, 83% of which are self-reported by the company. Scores may change as independent evidence becomes available.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 9,070.7 tCO₂e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10007822”
“The output of the CHP in 2023/2024 was 7,616,771 kWh consuming 21,001,228 kWh of gas”
“Cranfield University is officially certified for ISO 50001 for its energy management system”
“The scale dwarfs current Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Further work is required to ensure the accuracy of the data.”
“On 23 March 2023, Cranfield University worked in partnership with Earthwatch UK to plant a Miyawaki (Tiny) Forest”
“A successful re-certification audit was carried out by BSI in May 2023”
“In 2020, the University committed to a new target for 'Zero Avoidable Waste' by 2030”
“85 projects…reduce their carbon emissions by 1,919 tonnes every year”
“The University has set an ambitious new target to reduce water consumption by 50% by 2030, against a 2010 baseline.”
“metering and monitoring capability across the Cranfield campus is insufficient to quantify which are the most significant users”
“The Board for Energy and Environment reports to the University Executive and Council on energy and environmental issues”
“Since 2013 the University has been steadily improving habitats on site, increasing the areas targeted for biodiversity actions”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Cranfield University is a UK-based postgraduate-focused research institution specialising in aerospace, defence, engineering, and sustainable technology. It operates a campus with an on-site airport and research facilities across Bedfordshire, employing staff and students.
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