The world is facing unprecedented ecological crises, notably climate change, that will require us to transform the way we organise our society. The Master in Climate and Sustainability Politics examines what a transition to a just and sustainable future might look like and how we can work to achieve it in our own communities and around the world. Through an innovative format, students acquire the skills to critically evaluate existing policies and politics from a sustainability lens and then envision concrete, effective solutions in a variety of situations – locally and globally. Our unique training program in France prepares students to access key professional positions in public and private organisations.
Overview
The challenge of sustainability: rethinking our societies to save the planet
The world is facing unprecedented ecological crises, notably climate change, that will require us to transform the way we organise our societies, institutions, economies, and ways of production and consumption. This transformation entails rethinking existing relationships between people, politics, and the environment. However, the interconnected nature of our globalised society, the scale of action required, the number of actors involved, and the interest of many in maintaining the status quo greatly complicate matters and potentially jeopardise our collective efforts for sustainability. Indeed, these crises are systemic and addressing them often seems impossible.
Shaping a sustainable future: Interdisciplinary approaches to climate and development
The Master in Climate and Sustainability Politics examines what a transition to a just and sustainable future might look like and how we can work to achieve it in our own communities and around the world. The program provides students with a deep understanding of the complex and interconnected nature of the environment and society, as well as the existing governance landscape in the field. Importantly, students unpack the approaches and mechanisms by which we can transform our society to become more socially and environmentally just. The Master gives students the analytical and research skills to critically evaluate existing policies and politics from a sustainability lens and provides them with the expertise necessary to envision concrete, effective solutions in a variety of situations – locally and globally.
Because these questions require combining political and technical knowledge, the master’s degree in Climate and Sustainability Politics is organised in collaboration with practitioners. It includes interventions from sustainability practitioners from diverse backgrounds, field trips to relevant administrations, businesses, and NGOs, and a study trip to Bonn and Brussels – key European hubs for the ecological transition.
Job opportunities
- Public administration at national and subnational level: ministries, regional and local authorities, but also other public administration agencies recruit experts in public policy;
- International and European organisations: European Commission, European Environment Agency; UNFCCC and other UN organizations;
- NGOs, Think Tanks, trade unions, interest groups and lobbies open recruit experts with backgrounds in political science and international politics;
- Businesses are increasingly recruiting people qualified in climate and sustainability affairs;
Academic career: students graduating from our MA can also access PhD programmes in order to pursue an academic career.
