Climate and Sustainability Politics European School of Political and Social Sciences (ESPOL)

Overview

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.

The Master in Climate and Sustainability Politics from European School of Political and Social Sciences (ESPOL) 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 (1) the complex and interconnected nature of the environment and society, (2) existing governance practices and institutions in this field, and (3) the approaches and mechanisms by which we can transform them to become more socially and environmentally just. In doing so, it 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.

The program studies sustainability challenges from both a grassroots and global perspective. Our curriculum begins with developing students’ analytical skills and exposing them to the main paradigms, theories, and concepts used for making sense of climate and sustainability issues in our interconnected world. Through project-based learning, case studies, study trips and an internship, they will then apply what they have learned and gain practical experience that will help them play a part in our transition to a more just and sustainable future. This is facilitated via ESPOL’s interdisciplinary and international environment, which brings together professors, practitioners, and students with different backgrounds from around the world. Furthermore, the University’s close proximity to Paris and Brussels allows for experiential learning in key European capitals and sustainability hubs.

The Master in Climate and Sustainability Politics prepares students for careers in climate and sustainability policy in a variety of contexts, working with the many institutions and stakeholders involved in the green transformation: both locally and globally and in the public, private, and academic spheres. We aim to prepare students to be changemakers, wherever their career destination may be.

Career 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.