Climate and Environmental Sustainability

Mitigating and adapting to the effects of a changing climate, resource scarcity and biodiversity decline are some of the most pressing concerns for life on our planet. How we reduce the harmful impact of human activity on the world around us and adapt our communities to climate change requires not only scientific and technological expertise, but also a deep understanding of human behaviour, politics, economics, and societal transformation.

Our scholars are working across areas such as environmental policy, climate law, fiscal incentives, human rights and indigenous cultures to understand how we can deliver solutions to global warming and biodiversity challenges that are fair, equitable and achievable.

Theme leads

Mette Eilstrup-Sangiovanni, Professor of International Relations

Laura Diaz Anadon, Professor of Climate Change Policy

Video contributors

Find out more about the specific projects referenced in the video by visiting the profile pages of our researchers:

Mette Eilstrup-Sangiovanni, Professor of International Relations

Laura Diaz Anadon, Professor of Climate Change Policy

Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Professor of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, Programme Director of Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice at Lucy Cavendish College

Matt Davies, Deputy Director, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research

With thanks to the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology for providing locations for some of the filming. The artwork featured at 04:49-04:54 is credited: Alana Jelinek artist, 'People and Stuff: A Subversive Collaboration (2023-2025)'.

Get involved

If you’re interested in this theme and would like to explore opportunities for collaboration, please contact the theme leads.

We welcome interest from researchers of any discipline within and outside of the University of Cambridge, as well as community groups, policy actors, NGOs, funding bodies and philanthropic donors.