University of York is a public research and teaching institution in North Yorkshire, England.
Is this your business? Add your evidence →
York publishes mandatory carbon data and holds green certifications, but absolute emissions remain nearly flat since 2005 despite two decades of climate action. Scope 3 is rising. The geothermal project is funded and real, but won't deliver energy until 2027. Electricity is still mostly fossil gas via CHP.
University of York 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 York joint 169th of 847 companies scored, and joint 45th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where University of York sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, University of York is tied =45th of 67, with 7 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
Primary infrastructure is natural-gas CHP installed 2023, reducing Scope 2 but increasing Scope 1.
Scope 1+2 only 9.5% below 2005 baseline after 19 years.
Targets 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.
Use this score in tenders
Send the link, or the one-page score sheet. It links back to this page and every source. Free.
Open the score sheet →Add your evidence, £99
Scored low because little is published? Send us your evidence. A person reviews it and your score reflects what you really do. Done within 5 working days.
Evidence review →Go tender-ready, £495 a year
A yearly rescore, a check of up to 25 key suppliers and a score badge for your website (coming soon).
Get in touch →Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint — Operations (8/10, 6/10). Weakest on Energy Source and Emissions Trajectory (3/10, 4/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above University of York.
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 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 21,240.2 tCO2e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10007167”
“Our scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions generated from heat and electricity in 2022-23 was: 23,938 tonnes.”
“2023/24 supply chain emissions data will not be available until late 2024.”
“A £50m investment has already been committed, supported by a £35m grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.”
“In partnership with NETPositive Futures, we've launched a free, user-friendly tool that helps our suppliers create their own customised Sustainability Action Plan.”
“The University has maintained its Green Flag status from 2013 to 2026.”
“This last year, 58% of main waste at the University was recycled, and we aim to increase recycling rates to 80% by 2030.”
“The project aims to cut our fossil fuel consumption by 78% as part of our Sustainability Plan 2030 targets.”
“The project has already secured £35 million funding for this stage from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.”
“The Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) provides strategic leadership for the implementation and delivery of the University Sustainability Plan.”
“The system has successfully achieved certification to the ISO14001 standard for our campus operations.”
“We're ranked 15th in the UK and 39th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings.”
“Set up in April 2023, YorkCliConnect is an official YESI network... to support and strengthen the local community that understands, communicates and takes action on the Climate and Nature Emergencies.”
“The rankings coincide with the University publishing its Sustainability Plan annual report 2024-25.”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
University of York is a public research and teaching institution in North Yorkshire, England. It serves students across a 117-hectare campus. As a higher education establishment, it operates lecture halls, research facilities, residential accommodation, and support services.
One email, every Sunday. Score changes, new research, the stories behind the numbers. Free.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
Checking a company?
Search free →Asked to prove you're sustainable?
Get your business scored, free →Been scored?
See what's behind your number →Fees pay for the review, never the result.