University of Cambridge is a collegiate research university in England.
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Cambridge has audited operational emissions falling 66% since 2015 and a wind PPA covering 17% of electricity. But Scope 3 remains unmeasured, recent gas consumption rose 4%, and fossil fuel research partnerships (Shell, BP) undercut divestment claims. Incomplete decarbonisation masked by headline numbers.
University of Cambridge 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 October 2026.
That places University of Cambridge joint 80th of 847 companies scored, and joint 16th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where University of Cambridge sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Cambridge is tied =16th of 67, with 10 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
No formal reduction target; historical billing inconsistencies prevented trend establishment.
No aggregate Scope 3 tonnage published or third-party verified.
But 2024-25 rose 1.7% vs 2023-24 on gas demand.
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 Transparency & Accountability (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (4/10, 5/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Cambridge.
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: 51,055.8 tCO2e (2023/24, UKPRN 10007788, HESA Table-3)”
“the University's total energy use is on an upward trend; total electricity consumption has increased by around 9% since 2015-16”
“Market-based emissions increased by 1.7% in 2024-25 against 2023-24 levels”
“Cambridge has become the first university in the world to announce that it has adopted a 1.5 degrees Science Based Target”
“the University has introduced a new Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets out the minimum sustainability and environmental standards”
“PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has performed an Independent Limited Assurance engagement on selected balances within the 2024-25 data”
“We are making sure we comply with mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements in a way that benefits nature as much as possible”
“The introduction of separate food waste collections has increased operational waste recycling rates to 50% in 2024-25”
“As Cambridge is a water stressed area, we have a responsibility to ensure that our water use is managed effectively”
“We have yet to establish an accurate trend relating to our water use”
“Tens of millions in collegiate investments were also shown to be put into Vanguard funds, an asset manager that has led a pushback against environmental and social governance”
“Cambridge University has a goal of absolute net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2038. In 2020, it also pledged to divest its £3.5 billion endowment”
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University of Cambridge is a collegiate research university in England. A leading global institution in higher education, science, and research. Operates a substantial operational estate plus rural property, research laboratories, and press/assessment subsidiaries.
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