Research
Current climate change has big consequences worldwide for humans and the environment. How can we deal with this complex issue, the biggest challenge to humanity? Researchers from Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ investigate many sustainability themes. They study the climate, the greenhouse effect, climate change and the role humans play in these matters. This way, they contribute to a sustainable future.
Pathways to Sustainability
To tackle these urgent issues, researchers from a wide range of disciplines are working together within the university-wide Pathways to Sustainability programme. Within this programme, scientists are joining forces to tackle concrete and recognisable sustainability issues. The central question is: What is needed for the transition to a sustainable society? Through interdisciplinary, bold and future-oriented research, Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ is making a valuable contribution to this transition.
Living Labs
We also bring this social relevance closer to home, on our own campus. With living labs, experimental spaces where research, education and business come together, we use our university as a testing ground for sustainable innovation. In the living labs, students, researchers and social partners work together to develop concrete solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. In this way, we connect theory and practice, science and society.
Our research areas on sustainability
Sustainable society and food
How can we organise our living environment, food production, treatment of animals and health in such a way that we build a sustainable society and prevent irreparable ecological, social and economic damage?
Examples of research groups in this field are: Planetary Health, Open Cities, Future Food and Transforming Cities.
Fair transition and governance
How can we ensure that the transition to a sustainable world is also fair, equitable and democratic?
The following research groups occupy themselves with these critical questions:
IOS-Fair Transitions, Critical Pathways, IOS-Bottom-up Initiatives for Societal Change, Centre for Global Challenges, and Prins Claus Chair in Equity and Development.
Sustainable behaviour
What determines whether people – and especially young people – actually engage in sustainable behaviour in a changing climate?
The following research groups occupy themselves with these questions:
Green teens, Behaviour and Institutions, , and Growing Green Study 1.0
Sustainable ecosystems and biodiversity
How does knowledge of ecosystems help us to limit the impact of climate and environmental problems and protect our living environment?
Research groups which occupy themselves with this:
Water, Climate and Future Deltas, Sustainable Ocean, Planetary Health, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Copernicus Institute, and Biology.
Technologies and materials
How can we use new technologies, materials and methods to fundamentally change our production and consumption patterns for a sustainable future?
Research groups which occupy themselves with this are:
Circular Economy, Energy Transition and Science for Sustainability, Advanced Research Center Chemical Building Blocks Consortium (ARC CBBC)