The University of Warwick is a research-intensive institution in the UK's Russell Group, near Coventry.
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Warwick has met interim carbon targets through operational gas phase-out and renewable electricity, but Scope 3 emissions—three-quarters of its footprint—lack annual disclosure and reduction milestones. Heat decarbonisation remains incomplete; banking relationships contradict stated fossil fuel divestment. Governance and reporting are solid; execution across supply chain is opaque.
University of Warwick scores 52/100 (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 Warwick joint 105th of 847 companies scored, and joint 27th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where University of Warwick sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of Warwick is tied =27th of 67, with 4 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
No standalone annual Scope 3 report with full category breakdown published.
Renewable tariff claimed but PPA additionality not confirmed.
No TNFD disclosure or verified net gain measurement.
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 Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain and Energy Source (5/10, 5/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of Warwick.
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.
See the breakdown →Cardiff Met has reduced Scope 1+2 emissions 60% since 2005 and holds ISO 14001 certification, but supply chain mapping remains incomplete and recycling lags sector targets at 49%.
See the breakdown →Anglia Ruskin has achieved measurable carbon reductions (40% absolute Scope 1+2 vs 2005) and secured zero-carbon electricity via power purchase agreement.
See the breakdown →The formula and all 16 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale16 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: 34,196.6 tCO2e (HESA Table-3, UKPRN 10007163, 2023/24)”
“In 23/24 our Scope 1 emissions were 24,273 tCO2e, an 18.9% reduction compared to the previous year”
“A pie chart showing the distribution of CO2 emissions totalling 198,925 tCO2e”
“scope 3 impacts make up three-quarters of the university's overall carbon impact, when scopes 1 and 2 are taken into account”
“We have reduced our Scope 1 carbon emissions by 21.7%, successfully achieving our interim target of a 20% reduction by 2025”
“We have over 5,500 solar panels on rooftops around campus that, at peak output, can generate around 1MW of electricity”
“The current installation is expected to generate 511.32MWh per year and save 99.62 tonnes of carbon”
“In 2025, we signed the Nature Positive Universities Pledge further strengthening our commitment to reversing nature loss”
“allocate a large proportion of our land holding (over 120 acres) on the main campus to re-wilding and parkland”
“The University is committed to achieving a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain for all future projects on campus”
“In 2023/24, the project diverted 8.1 tonnes from general waste and avoided approximately 15,000 kgCO2e”
“In 2022/23 16,956m3 of water was saved due to leaks being stopped more quickly as a result of improved monitoring”
“Our 2023–2024 SDG Report showcases how Warwick is delivering impact locally, nationally, and globally”
“4 Carbon Emissions 24 [section in the 2024/25 Annual Review and Financial Statements]”
“The university does not, technically, invest in the fossil fuel sector... Indirect fossil fuel finance is not the only way in which the University of Warwick misuses its resources”
“The University will never knowingly invest in companies involved in fossil fuel extraction and production”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
The University of Warwick is a research-intensive institution in the UK's Russell Group, near Coventry. It conducts teaching and research across sciences, engineering, social sciences, and the arts. As a higher education provider, it faces environmental impacts from buildings, procurement, student and staff travel, and capital projects.
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