Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Edge Hill University is committed to embedding ESG approaches across its practices to ensure there is a clear, consistent and transparent approach to sustainability related governance.

Governance Structure

At Edge Hill we have the following governance structure in place regarding sustainability.

The Sustainability team plays a strategic and operational role in driving forward the Institution’s environmental ambitions. The team is committed to embedding sustainability across all aspects of University life, from infrastructure and operations to education, engagement and long-term planning.

Guided by the University’s Institutional Sustainability Strategy and Delivery Plan, the team leads initiatives that support EHUs Net Zero emissions target. Their work spans strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, sustainable transport, laboratory efficiency and student development, all underpinned by a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

The team provides expert support to ensure the University not only meets its environmental responsibilities but also sets a sector-leading example in sustainability performance. Through initiatives such as the Big Campus Clear Out, biodiversity enhancement, and low-carbon transport solutions, they help create a campus that is greener, more resilient and future-focused.

Key functions of the team include:

Strategic Planning and Delivery: Leading the development and implementation of sustainability strategies, policies and action plans.
Operational Support: Managing sustainable transport schemes, laboratory efficiency programmes and campus-wide environmental initiatives.
Student Engagement: Offering placements, internships, and hands-on opportunities for students to contribute to real-world sustainability projects.
Education for Sustainable Development: Supporting the integration of sustainability into teaching, learning and research.
Performance Monitoring: Tracking progress against environmental targets and sharing updates to promote transparency and accountability.
The team works to high professional and environmental standards, consistently delivering impactful outcomes that have earned national recognition.

Recent achievements include:

Green Gown Awards – Finalists in the ‘Reporting with Influence’ category for two consecutive years
Green Tourism Awards 2023 – Two Silver Awards
Green Gown Awards 2024 – Finalists in three categories
Educate North Awards 2025 – Finalists
Green Gown Awards 2025 – Finalists in one category
AUDE Awards 2026 – Finalists in one category
People & Planet 2025 2:1 ranking achieved
AUDE Awards 2026: Silver for Sustainability Impact Initiative Award

These accolades reflect the team’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and leadership in sustainability within the higher education sector.

Key contact: Keziah Stott Head of Sustainability (full-time, permanent role), providing assurance through sitting on Institutional Sustainability Committee and the following sub-committees: Facilities Management, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine and Faculty of Education, Health, Safety and Environment Committees.

Committee Structure

The following committees run at the University to support the governance of sustainability across the Institution.

Institutional Sustainability Committee

Meets at least three times a year.
Strategic updates regarding the Institutional Sustainability Strategy, the Sustainability Policy, the Carbon Management Plan, the Institutional Sustainability Delivery Plan, the Waste and Resource Strategy and other relevant documents found on our Policies, strategies and plans webpage are also presented to this Committee.
Through this updated membership, and the topics covered by the Committee EHU are pleased to be able to state that students, staff and unions are all involved in the oversight and engagement of key sustainability documents including but not limited to our Sustainability Strategy and Carbon Management Plan.
Membership includes, but is not limited to:
- Chief Student and Governance Officer (Chair)
- Head of Sustainability
- Student member
- SU representative
- UCU representative – academic union
- Unison representative – professional services union
- Faculty representatives
- Facilities Management representation
This Committee oversees, ratifies and sets the direction for sustainability at the University via the Institutional Sustainability Strategy (formally the Environmental Sustainability Strategy), the Carbon Management Plan and the Sustainability Policy. The membership of the Committee ensures that there is student and union input into key strategic documents for the Institution in relation to sustainability.

More information about the Institutional Sustainability Committee can be found in the Terms of Reference document.

Institutional Sustainability Committee Terms of Reference

Academic Board

Academic Board meets four times a year and is the most senior committee which all academic matters of the University feed into. It handles institutional policies on academic matters, responds to national policy changes and oversees academic developments, regulations and governance processes.

Academic Board covers a range of topics related to sustainability including ESD (when escalated to Board by the Learning and Teaching Committee) and EDI.

Membership includes but is not limited to:

Vice-Chancellor (Chair)
Faculty representatives
Student representatives from the SU including the three SU student presidents

Facilities Management and Faculty Health, Safety and Environment Committees

Each of the three faculties at Edge Hill and Facilities Management all have their own Health, Safety and Environment Committees. These:

Meet at least three times a year
Have the ability of escalation of relevant matters to the Institutional Sustainability Committee
Provide oversight, assurance and insight into matters around sustainability for activities covered by their remit
Are attended by the Head of Sustainability to provide a consistent contact point around sustainability across the University.