Environmental Governance

Despite numerous international environmental agreements and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, humanity is lagging behind in achieving its environmental goals. Social and economic systems are transforming too slowly, exacerbating climate change, biodiversity loss, overuse and pollution of freshwater systems and oceans and related health crises. These interwoven environmental crises threaten human well-being, especially in low-income countries and for marginalised groups. Resulting injustices as well as geopolitical tensions and authoritarianism strain collective action.

The department examines how governance, institutions, power constellations and justice considerations promote or hinder socially acceptable transformations towards sustainability. With a focus on climate, biodiversity, water and oceans, the department analyses environmental governance strategies, alongside their effectiveness, legitimacy and impact on social and environmental justice. One of the Clusters  focuses on global environmental governance, while a second Cluster deals with resource conflicts and place-based transformations.