Heriot-Watt University is a research-led institution in Edinburgh, Scotland, with five campuses across the UK, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.
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Heriot-Watt has reduced operational emissions 38% since 2005 and committed to net-zero by 2035, but lacks SBTi validation and reports no quantified Scope 3 total. Recycling sits at 42.3%—below sector average. Material weakness: £7m in fossil fuel funding since 2016, with Shell Building on campus and explicit commitment to continue fossil research partnerships.
Heriot-Watt University scores 48/100 (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 Heriot-Watt University joint 198th of 847 companies scored, and joint 53rd of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where Heriot-Watt University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Heriot-Watt University is tied =53rd of 67, with 2 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
No consolidated verified Scope 3 figure published.
HESA EMR 2023/24 did not report renewable energy share.
No published circular economy strategy with measurable targets.
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 Carbon Footprint — Operations and Emissions Trajectory (6/10, 6/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain and Energy Source (3/10, 4/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above Heriot-Watt University.
Coventry University has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 15.5% from 2005 baseline and locked in £13M in capital decarbonisation projects, but Scope 3 remains entirely unquantified.
See the breakdown →Birkbeck has achieved a 56% absolute emissions reduction since 2005 and holds ISO 14001 certification with public annual reporting.
See the breakdown →Bath has reduced Scope 1+2 emissions 51% since 2005 and publishes annual carbon data, but renewable energy procurement is negligible (<1%), Scope 3 remains volatile at 89% of footprint, and net zero targets are under review.
See the breakdown →The formula and all 13 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale13 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
10 of 13 sources are independent of the company.
“11,102.2 tCO₂e total Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, 2023/24 (HESA Table-3, UKPRN 10007764)”
“Heriot-Watt University identified an error in the previously submitted figure for 'The weight of CO₂e for leased vehicles'”
“We have plans in place to enhance our understanding and reporting of our wider scope 3 emissions, largely in relation to travel and our broader supply chain.”
“annual reduction of approximately 155-160 tCO2e... transform Lord Home Hall's outdated fossil fuel infrastructure into a cutting-edge heat pump installation”
“more than 13,000 lights replaced in recent years... LED street lighting installation at the Edinburgh Campus was completed in 2014”
“380 acres of park and woodland... Green Flag Award reflecting achievements across criteria including access, biodiversity, conservation and community involvement”
“ECOWILD will provide us with the scientists we need to lead the way in ecological restoration”
“The return of 100,000 oysters is a significant step in improving water quality and enhancing marine biodiversity.”
“Heriot-Watt University has taken £7m from fossil fuel companies in recent years... no minutes are taken during advisory board meetings”
“the Shell Building at Heriot-Watt University's School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, and has nine core industry partners: BP, Cairn Energy...”
“Research undertaken by openDemocracy and published in November 2023, found that between 2016 and 2023 Heriot-Watt was in receipt of £7m in financial contributions from oil and gas companies.”
“buildings, business travel, management of waste and water consumption, across Scopes 1 to 3. Annual emission performance – Scottish campuses”
“140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for the year 2023/24”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Heriot-Watt University is a research-led institution in Edinburgh, Scotland, with five campuses across the UK, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia. It serves students and staff across engineering, sciences, business, and social sciences. Active in climate research and doctoral training.
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