European Centre for Environment & Human Health

What European Centre for Environment & Human Health does

The European Centre for Environment & Human Health (ECEHH) is a transdisciplinary research and education centre operating within the University of Exeter Medical School, established in 2011 on the Penryn Campus in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is formally designated as a World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Natural Environments and Health (since 2019) and conducts research across six thematic areas: antimicrobial resistance and microbiology, built environment and energy, climate change, food systems and planetary health, nature/green-blue spaces and health, and social justice and health equity. Its primary customers are UK government departments (Defra, DHSC, OHID), the WHO, UK Health Security Agency, public health authorities (Public Health Dorset, Public Health England, Royal College of Physicians), and international academic collaborators including the University of Queensland and Argentina's National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

ECEHH's research is grounded in interdisciplinary methodology spanning environmental science, microbiology, public health, psychology, geography, and social science. The Centre uses record-linked health data via the SAIL databank, systematic reviews, field experiments, and ecological modelling. Distinguishable proprietary research assets include innovative green-blue space exposure metrics linked to individual health records, molecular ecology analysis of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater-impacted river systems, and the Galleria mellonella insect-based biosensor for screening opportunistic pathogens in environmental samples. Its research outputs have directly informed UK National AMR Strategies (2019-2024 and 2024-2029), the Budapest Ministerial Environment and Health Declaration 2023, and Chief Medical Officer reports, with key data assets such as the Beach Bum Survey and an antibiotic-concentration database cited in policy documents globally.

ECEHH generates revenue almost exclusively through competitive research grants from UK Research and Innovation agencies (UKRI, NERC, NIHR, BBSRC), the Department of Health and Social Care, EU Horizon 2020, and WHO collaborative programme funding. Confirmed multi-year grant awards include a £10 million UKRI grant (2024) for the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions, a £1.5 million NIHR Population Health Career Scientist Award (2024), €6 million in EU Horizon 2020 funding (2016), €2 million for SOPHIE (2018), £1.2 million DHSC/UKAid (2021), and £812,000 NERC (2022). A secondary, smaller revenue stream comes from tuition for the MSc in Environment and Human Health programme launched in 2012 (over 100 graduates across 14 intakes). As a university research centre, ECEHH does not sell commercial products or services; pricing is not applicable and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

European Centre for Environment & Human Health

Legal name

European Centre for Environment & Human Health

Website

https://ecehh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Transdisciplinary research centre within the University of Exeter Medical School, established 2011 in Penryn, UK, investigating environment and human health links across AMR, climate, food systems, and nature-health themes. Designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre in 2019 and funded primarily through UKRI, NIHR, and EU research grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Truro

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research grants and funding: Primary revenue from competitive research grants from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agencies including NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), BBSRC, Defra, EU Horizon 2020, and other governmental and international funding bodies.
2. Education programmes: MSc in Environment and Human Health programme generating tuition-based revenue. Additional CPD courses and online programmes under development.
3. WHO Collaborating Centre activities: Formal designation as WHO Collaborating Centre on Natural Environments and Health enables collaborative projects and policy influence activities with WHO and member states.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ECEHH is a transdisciplinary research and education centre within the University of Exeter Medical School that investigates the complex connections between the environment and human health. It conducts world-class research across antimicrobial resistance, climate change, built environment, food systems, nature and health, and social justice, while delivering an MSc in Environment and Human Health and training programmes for government decision-makers. The Centre operates as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Natural Environments and Health.

Product overview

The European Centre for Environment & Human Health operates as a transdisciplinary research and education center at the University of Exeter Medical School. Rather than offering commercial products, the organization provides academic research programs and an MSc education program. Its portfolio includes the MSc in Environment and Human Health (launched 2012) covering ecological public health and nature-health connections, alongside numerous research projects spanning antimicrobial resistance, climate change, food systems, and nature-based health interventions. The Centre holds WHO Collaborating Centre designation and conducts research to inform policy and practice on environment-health linkages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WHO Collaborating Centre on Natural Environments and Health: Official WHO designation recognizing the centre's significant contribution to science, policy, and practice on natural environments and health.

Products and services

• MSc in Environment and Human Health A master's degree programme tied to the Centre's research, covering the fundamental ways in which human health depends on the environment, as well as how wellbeing is affected by global ecosystem change. Designed for graduate students and professionals seeking interdisciplinary training in environment and human health. The programme has seen 14 student intakes since 2012 and has produced over 100 graduates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research directly informed the 2019 and 2024 UK National AMR Strategies
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• University of QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Joint research collaboration on antibiotic transformation products and antimicrobial resistance in waterways. Study published in Nature Water. Partnership includes UQ-Exeter Institute funding and joint PhD supervision.
• NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Partner in qualitative evidence synthesis on green social prescribing. MRC-funded project delivering insights by December 2025.
• University of PlymouthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025NIHR PenARC partner contributing to green social prescribing research. Dr Kerryn Husk providing expertise from Plymouth team.
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partner in the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions. UKHSA collaborating on research examining climate change impacts on health and developing net-positive solutions.
• National TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partner in the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions. Collaborating on research examining how National Trust estates and properties can contribute to climate solutions and public health.
• Met OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partner in the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions. Collaborating on climate modelling, adaptation tools, and understanding climate-health linkages.
• Forest ResearchmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partner in the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions. Collaborating on nature-based solutions and green infrastructure research.
• Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Co-lead in CLIMAR (Climate Change Impacts on AMR) Network. Dr Jenni Cole providing expertise on climate change and AMR intersections.
• Queen Margaret UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Co-lead in CLIMAR Network. Dr Paul Kadetz contributing expertise on global health and policy dimensions of climate-AMR nexus.
• University of LeedscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Co-lead in CLIMAR Network. Professor Rebecca King providing expertise on infectious disease and AMR in context of climate change.
• Natural EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Key partner in health inequalities and natural infrastructure project. Natural England providing expertise on green and blue infrastructure and its relationship to public health.
• Public Health DorsetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Collaborating on project examining how natural infrastructure policies can reduce health inequalities. Public Health Dorset providing local public health expertise and data.
• Town and Country Planning AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Partner in health inequalities project. Collaborating on planning policy tools to ensure green and blue infrastructure mitigates rather than exacerbates health inequalities.
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Partner in health inequalities and natural infrastructure project. Government health improvement body providing policy context and data access.
• Natural Resources WalescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Partner in health inequalities project. Contributing Welsh data on natural environments and supporting policy-relevant research outputs.
• Technical University of DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Research collaboration on spatial modelling of natural infrastructure impacts on population health inequalities.
• UK Health Security AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Co-supervising PhD research on antimicrobial resistance in rivers. UK HSA providing expertise on human health risks and public health implications of environmental AMR.
• Environment AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Supporting NERC grant on understudied aspects of AMR through the £812k project. Providing expertise and data for environmental antibiotic concentration database.
• RochemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Supporting NERC grant on understudied aspects of AMR. Pharmaceutical company providing industry perspective and co-funding for research on antibiotic concentration thresholds.
• University of BathcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Co-Investigator Professor Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern contributing expertise on analytical chemistry and environmental analysis for AMR research.
• Argentina National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INEI-ANLIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2021Key partner in £1.2M DHSC/UKAid-funded AMR livestock project. Co-developing research questions and contributing expertise on AMR surveillance and policy in Argentina.
• Argentina National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2021Collaborating on conceptual framework for AMR in livestock systems. Providing expertise on agricultural systems and livestock management practices in Argentina.
• Wildfowl and Wetlands TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Partner in Greengage pilot RCT for green social prescribing. Delivering nature-based activities for research participants as part of mental health study.
• Eden ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Partner in Greengage pilot RCT and other nature-health research. Hosting nature-based activity sessions and collaborating on research delivery.
• Sensory TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Partner in Greengage pilot RCT. Delivering nature-based activities and accessibility expertise for mental health research participants.
• Newquay OrchardminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Partner in Greengage pilot RCT. Local community partner providing nature-based activity venue for research participants.
• UK Centre for Ecology & HydrologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaborating on AMR in rivers project and other environmental health research. UK CEH providing expertise on water quality, microbial risk assessment, and environmental monitoring.
• World Health Organisation (WHO) European Centre for Environment and Health, Bonn GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Formal WHO Collaborating Centre designation since 2019. Centre collaborates on major reports launched annually on International Day for Biological Diversity. Jointly delivers WHO Bonn School for government ministries on nature and health. Contributed to urban green space and health reports, action briefs, and Ministerial declarations including Budapest 2023.
• European Marine BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner in SOPHIE project (Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe). European Marine Board providing marine science expertise and policy connections.
• DeltaresmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner in SOPHIE project. Dutch research institute contributing expertise on water systems, environmental modelling, and coastal management.
• Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner in SOPHIE project. Contributing public health expertise and policy connections in the Netherlands.
• National University of IrelandmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner in SOPHIE project. Contributing academic expertise on marine environments and public health from Ireland.
• Environment AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Long-standing partner on AMR research. Environment Agency providing surveillance data, funding, and regulatory expertise. Trial of surveillance methodologies pioneered by the Beach Bum Survey.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stockholm Resilience Centre: A leading European research centre focused on resilience and sustainability science with strong overlap on planetary health, food systems, and ocean-health research. ECEHH's BlueHealth and SOPHIE projects compete for similar EU Horizon funding and address comparable scientific questions.
• UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UK CEH): UK CEH is a partner on ECEHH's AMR-in-rivers research and shares overlapping expertise in environmental microbiology, water quality, and ecological risk assessment. Both organisations compete for NERC funding and conduct environmental health research at the environment-microbiology interface.
• London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health: LSHTM's Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health is the closest direct peer in the UK, conducting interdisciplinary research on environment-health interactions including AMR, climate adaptation, and urban green spaces. Both compete for the same UKRI and NIHR funding pools and publish in overlapping journals.

Emerging players

• Met Office Hadley Centre: Met Office is a partner in ECEHH's Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions. While primarily a climate modelling institution, its expanding climate-health research overlaps with ECEHH's climate adaptation work and competes for the same UKRI climate funding.
• Centre for Environmental Health (Australia) / Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences: University of Queensland is a current research partner on AMR in waterways (Nature Water publication). Comparable research on antibiotic resistance in the environment and competing for similar Pacific-region research funding.

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House Centre on Global Health Security: Chatham House produces research and policy advice on global health security, including AMR and pandemic preparedness. While more policy-oriented than research-driven, it competes for influence on the same UK and international policy agenda and convenes similar stakeholders.
• WHO European Centre for Environment and Health (Bonn): WHO Bonn is the formal partner and policy counterpart to ECEHH's WHO Collaborating Centre designation. While not a research producer in the same way, it shapes the same policy environment and convenes the same ministerial stakeholders that ECEHH research targets.
• Public Health England / UK Health Security Agency: UKHSA is both a partner and indirect competitor to ECEHH on AMR surveillance, water health, and microbial risk. Both advise Defra and DHSC on national strategies, and ECEHH's research directly feeds UKHSA's operational surveillance programmes.
• Planetary Health Alliance: A global consortium coordinating planetary health research networks across academia, government, and NGOs. ECEHH's work on nature-health linkages and AMR fits within this broader framing and competes for visibility and funding within the same global ecosystem.

Others

• University of Exeter Medical School: ECEHH's parent institution hosts complementary research groups in epidemiology, public health, and biomedical sciences. While not a competitor in the same niche, shared university funding and governance mean organisational priorities are tightly coupled.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ecehh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@europeancentreforenvironme7297
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecehhuniversityofexeter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about European Centre for Environment & Human Health