Environment and Sustainability

The University of Exeter Environmental Sustainability Institute conducts research at the convergence of marine governance, economic transitions, and environmental justice from its Cornwall campus. ESI developed the Ocean Equity Index in partnership with WWF to quantify social dimensions of ocean management through benefit distribution, decision-making authority, and cost allocation metrics. The institute's research programs integrate natural and social sciences to examine how environmental policies impact different communities and stakeholders. ESI organizes the annual South West Eco-Industrial Future conference, bringing together regional business leaders, policymakers, and researchers to advance industrial decarbonization strategies. The institute provides technical analysis and policy frameworks to support evidence-based environmental decision-making across sectors. Its collaborative projects focus on circular economy development, marine conservation, and just transition pathways for Southwest England's industrial regions. The institute's ocean governance work addresses gaps in conventional environmental metrics by incorporating equity indicators and stakeholder impacts. ESI researchers analyze how marine management systems affect coastal communities, fishing industries, and maritime economies. The institute's methodologies aim to measure previously overlooked social dimensions of sustainability policies and conservation initiatives.