The Life and Environmental Sciences Standing Committee was created in 1995, out of the former European Science Research Councils as part of the ESF's strategy to provide a more focused and responsive approach to basic science within Europe.

The ESF Standing Committee for LESC is one of five disciplinary Committees, composed of leading scientists nominated by the Member Organisations.

The full LESC Committee meets at least once annually. The LESC Core Group is appointed by the Standing Committee to assist the Chair in the conduct of the detailed business of the Committee and to prepare the business of the pleanry sessions of the Committee. It is composed of 7 LESC members and the LESC Chairman, meets from two to three times a year in order to maintain the momentum between the annual LESC meetings and supervise the executive tasks. The meetings between LESC Core Group and Senior representatives of ESF Mo’s are held once per year.