University of Lancashire is a public research institution, headquartered in Preston, England.
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University of Lancashire reports Scope 1+2 emissions via statutory HESA returns and has cut carbon intensity 49.6% since 2015/16, but lacks independently verified Scope 3 data and a published decarbonisation roadmap. Renewable energy at 58.6% is meaningful but market-based. No biodiversity action plan, SBTi validation, or board-level accountability mechanisms exist.
University of Lancashire scores 49/100 (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 Lancashire joint 169th of 847 companies scored, and joint 45th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where University of Lancashire sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Lancashire is tied =45th of 67, with 7 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
University reports Scope 3 sub-categories to HESA (travel, commuting, waste, water, supply chain) but no consolidated Scope 3 total published.
No published biodiversity action plan, TNFD disclosure, or quantified nature footprint found.
Adopted UK HE sector target of 78% Scope 1+2 reduction by 2035 and net zero 2050, but not SBTi-validated.
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, 6/10). Weakest on Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 3/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Lancashire.
Aberdeen has cut operational emissions 52.5% since 2005 and publishes verified data annually, but renewable energy procurement remains near-zero at 0%, and biodiversity/waste metrics lack measurable outcomes.
See the breakdown →Derby's carbon disclosures are methodologically sound but operationally modest.
See the breakdown →Manchester has science-aligned 2038 zero-carbon targets and genuine third-party verified emissions data, but is materially off-trajectory: Scope 1+2 fell only 4% in 2023 versus the required 13% annual cut, and total Scope 3 emissions rose 18% since 2018.
See the breakdown →The formula and all 9 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale9 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 7364.3 tCO2e, 2023/24”
“140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for 2023/24”
“we recognise the need to increase our efforts in Scope 3, the indirect emissions resulting from our waste management, travel, water use and procurement”
“University of Lancashire sustainability and UN SDG commitments”
“policies around ethical and sustainable procurement, waste and sustainability and a Carbon Management Plan”
“MaCaW project…academic/industry collaboration designed to assist Lancashire SMEs…low carbon economic model”
“University of Central Lancashire has announced it is fully divesting from the fossil fuel industry, becoming the 97th UK university to make a divestment commitment”
“Academic affiliations: MillionPlus; Universities UK; Defence Universities Alliance”
“University of Central Lancashire…all stated that they receive some of their energy from onsite wind turbines”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
University of Lancashire is a public research institution, headquartered in Preston, England. It serves students across multiple campuses and operates as part of the UK higher education sector. The university conducts research and teaching across arts, sciences, business, and professional disciplines.
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