Who We Are

Who we are

EAUC is the leading body for sustainability in the post-16 education sector in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

We've been promoting sustainability in the post-16 education sector for over 20 years.

Primarily a membership body, we serve 300 organisations whilst also working to change systems that enable sustainability action.

We’re both a charity and a company limited by guarantee and are always not-for-profit.
 

Our people

Our board: The work of our trustees is critical to the success of EAUC. As a charity, our board is in place to provide strategic oversight and aid in improving reach, quality and impact. It’s the highest decision-making board in the organisation and ultimately responsible for ensuring we remain financially healthy, perform well against our charitable objectives and comply with the law in everything we do.

Our staff: Our team are passionate about sustainability and education. We’re a fully remote organisation so you’ll find us across the UK, spread from Cornwall to the Cairngorms. We strive to make EAUC is a great place to work and that we have a “high performance, high wellbeing culture”.

Our fellows: The EAUC fellowship programme acknowledges and rewards exceptional volunteers and contributors to our sector. As experts and leaders in their respective fields, they share our vision of a post-16 education sector that creates a world with sustainability at its heart. Their insights and help shape our work.

Our volunteers: Many of our programmes and initiatives are supported by passionate volunteers. Whether it’s convening a community of practice or regional branch or judging the Green Gown Awards, we’re grateful for their generosity, insights and time.

EAUC is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive organisation - including employees, Trustees, Fellows, members and partners. Find out more about our work to centre equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do. 
 

Our history

EAUC was launched in 1996, after sustainability professionals and enthusiasts from across the further and higher education sectors recognised the value in collaborative approaches to their work. Initially EAUC was an informal network, with the aim of raising the profile of environmental management and to facilitate improvement of environmental performance in its members. EAUC became a registered charity, and an incorporated limited company in 2004.

Over the last decade, there has been an increasing awareness within the Further and Higher Education sector of the need to address sustainability issues both operationally, as businesses, and within the curriculum. As a result, an increasing number of staff have been given responsibility to progress the sustainability agenda, either as dedicated advisors or as part of an existing post.

Membership of the EAUC has grown in number as a result of commitment to environmental and sustainability issues. With around 300 institutional members and nearly 20,000 contacts, EAUC is an influential voice within the sector. 

During 2024, we are celebrating our 20th anniversary – more details of how to get involved are coming soon.