As schools, colleges and universities strive to meet ambitious Net Zero targets while maintaining robust health and safety standards, the role of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) service providers has never been more critical. Facilities and estates management professionals are recognising that these two priorities – sustainability and safety – are deeply interconnected, and that achieving them requires collaboration, not compartmentalisation.
By partnering with experienced EHS service providers, education institutions can ensure they’re not only compliant with legislation and best practices, but also advancing their decarbonisation and climate resilience objectives in a safe, structured and accountable way…
The Dual Challenge: Green Goals & Compliance
Educational institutions face a dual imperative: aligning with government-led sustainability frameworks such as the Department for Education’s Climate Action Plan, while also maintaining adherence to UK health and safety laws, including COSHH, fire safety, and occupational health standards.
Balancing these demands requires deep domain expertise—and that’s where trusted EHS partners come in.
✔ Ensuring safe upgrades to HVAC, lighting and insulation systems
✔ Advising on low-emission cleaning products and waste disposal
✔ Supporting safe installation of solar panels, EV infrastructure, and green roofs
✔ Assisting in sustainable procurement that meets both carbon and compliance goals
Benefits of Collaborative EHS Partnerships
Working with EHS service providers offers tangible benefits, including:
- Risk reduction: Specialist partners ensure that sustainability projects don’t compromise student or staff safety.
- Knowledge transfer: On-site training, policy development, and safety audits help internal teams build capacity and reduce reliance on external consultants.
- Improved reporting: EHS providers support both health and safety compliance documentation and carbon reporting for ESG and Net Zero strategies.
- Integrated solutions: From waste audits to energy use assessments, partners can deliver joined-up services that address multiple goals through a single provider relationship.
The Rise of Strategic Long-Term Partnerships
Rather than engaging EHS providers on a one-off or reactive basis, many education estates teams are now seeking strategic, long-term relationships that align with their sustainability roadmap.
These providers offer ongoing compliance monitoring, scheduled risk assessments, and advisory services on everything from asbestos management to low-carbon construction practices. Some are also delivering blended technology solutions, such as platforms for incident tracking, environmental monitoring, and ESG data collection.
For education institutions, the path to Net Zero cannot come at the expense of health and safety. Nor should it. The most effective estates and facilities leaders are those who build sustainable partnerships with EHS experts, ensuring that environmental progress and safety compliance move forward – together.
Are you searching for Environmental or Health & Safety solutions for your institution? The Education Forum can help!
Photo by Gaddafi Rusli on Unsplash
