Robert Gordon University scores 56/100 (Making progress) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified September 2026.
That places Robert Gordon University joint 32nd of 809 companies scored, and joint 4th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
RGU has delivered a 50.9% absolute emissions reduction since 2005 and exceptional waste performance (98.4% recycling), but renewable energy procurement remains negligible at 0%. The institution lacks comprehensive Scope 3 quantification, third-party assurance of emissions data, and SBTi validation—typical weaknesses for mid-sized universities still building climate infrastructure.
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SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint — Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Energy Source and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (4/10, 4/10).
14 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 4,470.2 tCO2e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10005500”
“140 HE providers submitted Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data to HESA through the Estates management record for the year 2023/24”
“Robert Gordon University Sustainability Report 2023-2024 (PDF 3MB)”
“RGU sustainable travel page, cited as evidence of Scope 3 travel reporting in carbon management plan”
“RGU has implemented carbon reduction upgrades including refurbishing air handling units, upgrading car park lighting to LED, and installing variable speed drives”
“Waterside Farm is a 55-acre site; the restoration project is one of the biggest biodiversity projects known at a university campus in Scotland”
“22 hectares of floodplain land at Waterside Farm on the opposite side of the river; ongoing restoration as a nature reserve”
“RGU is working alongside environmental consultancy firm The Habitat People to bring it back to its more natural state”
“RGU reduction and recycling of waste sustainability page”
“RGU's journey to net zero, carbon management plan with named responsibilities and reporting mechanism”
“Robert Gordon University has agreed to exclude all firms involved in fossil fuel extraction from its investments”
“RGU is committed to supporting the Scottish Government's ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2045”
“RGU Sustainability Group — sustainability governance structure”
“RGU sustainability statement and policy page”
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Where Robert Gordon University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, Robert Gordon University is tied =4th of 67, with 3 others.
As Robert Gordon University's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
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Robert Gordon University is a public research institution in Aberdeen, Scotland, with approximately 14,840 students. RGU operates campuses across urban and semi-rural settings, delivering teaching and research across engineering, health, business, and creative disciplines. As a UK higher education provider, it reports via statutory HESA records.
Peer UK higher education institution; comparable size and geographic region.
View breakdown →Peer UK higher education institution; similar student population and multi-campus footprint.
View breakdown →Peer UK higher education institution; post-1992 university sector equivalent.
View breakdown →UK higher education sector comparator; larger research-intensive institution with different resource profile.
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