Imperial College London is a public research university, headquartered in London, UK.
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Imperial has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 49% from 2005 baseline and reports via statutory HESA data, but relies on unverified Scope 3 estimates and unbundled renewable certificates. No absolute Scope 3 target exists. Credible 2024 journalism documented fossil fuel holdings and ongoing energy company partnerships before partial divestment.
Imperial College London 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 Imperial College London joint 80th of 847 companies scored, and joint 16th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where Imperial College London sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Imperial College London is tied =16th of 67, with 10 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
2021 Biodiversity and Habitat Survey conducted; Action Plan to be developed but not publicly verified or completed.
Net zero Scope 1+2 by 2040 (later than SBTi standard); Scope 3 only 'minimised where possible'—no absolute target.
Circular targets not fully published with verified metrics.
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 (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Nature & Biodiversity Impact and Targets & Commitments (3/10, 4/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above Imperial College London.
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 42,411.4 tCO2e, 2023/24 (HESA Table-3, UKPRN 10003270)”
“With 83% of our emissions being scope 3, everybody has a part to play”
“Business travel: 34,473 tCO2e (17%)”
“From 2022-23 onwards, we have reported our carbon emissions using the EAUC Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework”
“Scope 3 emissions of goods and services were calculated based on the approach used in HESCET and Net Positive's Net Zero Carbon Supplier Tool”
“We are buying electricity backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO)”
“A Biodiversity and Habitat Survey was undertaken by the College in 2021 to inform college-wide greening efforts”
“Our sustainable travel policy has helped us build a stronger approach to reducing our scope 3 emissions, with a 34% fall in emissions from business travel”
“Imperial wants to reduce travel emissions by 25% by 2026”
“SBTi Target Dashboard lists companies with validated or committed targets — Imperial College London not found”
“Imperial stands as one of the few Russell Group universities still investing its endowment in fossil fuels”
“Seaweed-based packaging expected to replace more than 450,000 single-use plastic items on campus a year”
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Imperial College London is a public research university, headquartered in London, UK. It specializes in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM). As a Russell Group institution with significant research output, it operates multiple urban campuses (South Kensington, White City, Hammersmith) plus Silwood Park estate.
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