University of Exeter is a research-led institution in south-west England with four campuses.
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Exeter has cut operational emissions 45% since 2005 and ranks first globally for water management research. Total emissions remain 13% above 2018 baseline, driven by Scope 3 growth. The Shell partnership (£14.7M over five years) undercuts climate credibility despite the university's explicit shift away from offsetting.
University of Exeter 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 University of Exeter joint 80th of 847 companies scored, and joint 16th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where University of Exeter sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Exeter is tied =16th of 67, with 10 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
Scope 1+2 fell 45.3% from 2005 baseline; total Scope 1+2+3 emissions rose 13% from 2018/19 baseline to 104,043 tCO₂e in 2023/24.
SBTi-aligned (not validated) targets: 26% near-term reduction by 2030 to 76,856 tCO₂e; 90% long-term by 2050.
Procurement uses expenditure-based method, not supplier-specific engagement.
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 Water Impact (7/10, 7/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Targets & Commitments (4/10, 5/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Exeter.
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 14 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale14 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 13,584.7 tCO2e, 2023/24 (HESA Table-3, UKPRN 10007792)”
“Near-term target: To reduce emissions by 26% by 2030 from 104,043 tCO2e in 2023/24”
“Sustainability Data Assurance — University of Exeter, contract award notice 2024/S 000-011660”
“For the first time the data has been through a vigorous assurance process through PwC”
“Scope 3 emissions from water show a reduction from 425 tCO2e in 2018/19 to 149 tCO2e in 2023/24”
“We will follow the mitigation conservation hierarchy when considering the impacts of University activities on biodiversity”
“Biodiversity units recorded for campuses at Streatham (2021), St Luke's (2021), Penryn (2019) and Duryard (2023)”
“We are developing a biodiversity footprint for the whole University, including our activities at St Luke's and Penryn campuses”
“In 2024-25, approximately 95% of our waste was recycled, composted, combusted or sent for anaerobic digestion”
“In 2024-25 recycling increased by 10.8% and general waste reduced by 17% on Penryn Campus”
“The University of Exeter has received the most from fossil fuel firms since 2022, having signed a £14.7 million, five-year deal with Shell”
“University of Exeter tops UK fossil fuel funding table following £14.7 million deal with Shell”
“Exeter has been ranked first in the world in the Clean Water and Sanitation category of The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023”
“Selected carbon metrics have undergone an independent assurance process to enhance the credibility and reliability of the data we report”
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University of Exeter is a research-led institution in south-west England with four campuses. It ranks among the UK's top 20 universities by research output. The institution focuses on environment, social science, and engineering disciplines alongside traditional humanities and sciences.
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