Environment and Society Studies

This Master's programme discusses the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. We’ll study societal transformations towards sustainable futures. We question and critique current practices and governance to achieve the necessary fundamental societal change. A selection of our most prominent topics is: environmental justice, biodiversity, non-human animals, circular economy, energy, climate change and water. Within the Master's Environment and Society Studies, you have a choice between four Master's specialisations.

How can we work towards a sustainable future? There are plenty of new sustainable technologies, smart governmental instruments and new ideas on organising the market to become more sustainable, but very often we don’t use them? Why is that? What can we learn from successful examples of societal change in other countries?

This programme focuses on the way society deals with its physical environment. We’ll look at experiences of countries all over the globe, at good and bad practises and at the role of markets and governments as well as society itself. You’ll become part of the quest for sustainability. How can we green our economies and change daily behaviour? With the help of other disciplines like sociology, psychology, political science and administration, you’ll gain the complete picture.

Specialisations

Sustainable Economies and Corporations. In this Master's programme we rethink the principles of current economic systems and analyse how to enhance the environmental responsibility of businesses. We aim to develop new business models that contribute to a sustainable future. What does a sustainable and just economy look like, and how can we enable such a new system?

Something for you?

• You will be challenged to rethink our current economic structures and to explore alternatives for a more sustainable economy. For example, we will discuss the doughnut economy, issues of degrowth, post-growth and green growth, or the prospects of the circular economy.
• Particular attention is paid to innovation: not just technological innovation but also to innovating manufacturing processes and new business models.
• A major focus is placed on policies and the social-organisational aspects of change in businesses.

Global Environment and Sustainability. This specialisation focuses on the global level of sustainability transformations, such as international agreements and initiatives on climate change, biodiversity and nature conservation on land and in oceans. You will learn how to critically analyse international negotiations. How do international agreements come about, how - and to what extent - are they implemented, and which roles do different stakeholders, such as companies and civil society groups, play in these processes?

Something for you?

• This specialisation focuses on the relationships between global players like international institutions, multinational companies and environmental organisations that deal with environmental challenges worldwide.
• You will study the arrangements for the most pressing issues related to climate change, biodiversity, water quality, ecosystems and supply of natural resources. 
• We will discuss the globalisation of our economic system and international environmental politics while using a critical perspective.

Local Environmental Change and Sustainable Cities. This specialisation focuses on the local level of sustainability transformations and the integration of different policies. How can we address issues such as the energy transition, climate adaptation, water quality, mobility, circularity, sustainable agriculture and nature conservation in a city or region, in the Netherlands or abroad?

Something for you?

• The specialisation strongly focuses on the local level of sustainability transformations, in particular sustainable cities.
• We will discuss the (policy) instruments that are needed for greening and climate proofing the city, combining spatial claims within cities and regions or collaborative governance with citizens on energy and water.
• You will be introduced to numerous examples of how cities and regions all over the world are tackling environmental problems. Related aspects of spatial planning will be incorporated in this specialisation.

Environmental Justice and Governance. Environmental justice is not only a classic, but also an urgent issue in sustainability transformations. Who benefits from our current, not sustainable economy? And who suffers most from pollution? How do we see our relationships with nature and animals? This specialisation studies how we can enable a healthy environment for humans, animals and nature, and how we can govern sustainability transformations in a just manner.

Something for you?

• You are an engaged student who is interested in how societal and economic structures can lead to environmental (in)justices. 
• You want to learn about how governance can affect environmental justice and can reduce injustices. 
• You are willing to critically reflect on one’s own relative privilege and how one is situated in society.