SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE Our sustainability framework is centred on creating a positive impact across four key areas: young people, communities, our people, and the environment. During the year, the Sustainability Committee regularly reviewed the Group’s performance against its targets and ambitions, to ensure Unite Students is a responsible and resilient business. With oversight from the Sustainability Committee, the Group focused on driving lasting improvements in sustainability performance supported by increased sustainability awareness and engagement across the business and with wider stakeholders. SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES DURING THE YEAR YOUNG PEOPLE The Sustainability Committee oversaw a business- wide focus on embedding our sustainability framework, including new student engagement kitchen talks, delivered by Resident Ambassadors to students at the start of each academic year. Our Student Sustainability Week also provided a strong focus on key sustainability themes including water and energy consumption. Through the Committee’s oversight, Unite Students commissioned The Social Market Foundation to deliver a report into the barriers facing care experienced and estranged students with entry and success in Higher Education, and have committed to the Care Leavers Covenant. The Care Leavers Covenant is a commitment from private, public and voluntary sectors to help support care leavers between the age of 16–25 as they move towards independence. Committee membership Dame Shirley Pearce Chair of the Sustainability Committee Joe Lister Chief Executive Officer Ilaria del Beato Non-Executive Director Ross Paterson Non-Executive Director Sustainability Governance During the year, the Sustainability Committee continued its oversight of our sustainability framework, which is a key component of our business strategy and is central to delivering our Home for Success purpose. THE UNITE GROUP PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2024 106