Changes to the physical and biotic environment are both natural and arise because of human activity. Recently these changes have been so significant that we now clearly recognise planetary scale change e.g. biodiversity loss and climate change derived directly from human actions rather than natural processes. The scale of these climatic and environmental changes is becoming ever more evident and urgent, as droughts, floods, species loss, and viral pandemics occur with increasing frequency and intensity. At the same time, the fall-out of these overlapping ongoing crises are not experienced equally across society. Responding to these pressing challenges requires a critical and interdisciplinary understanding of how social and physical processes interact in a complex, unequal world by being informed about earth systems science and how the environment is changing and national and international governance and policy landscapes.

In this 5 ECT micro-credential, students will gain a broad, critical understanding of approaches to studying environmental change, the nature and scale of that change, as well as reflecting on their own place within a changing world. The module will introduce students to key debates and approaches to sustainability and climate action. Students will interrogate different approaches to sustainable development and climate action through an examination of key sectors, such as agri-food production, energy, flood risk and decarbonisation. Students will also gain a critical understanding of key concepts such as climate justice, degrowth, circular economy and the just transition. The module will require students to reflect upon different scales of action and their impact and effectiveness in achieving transformative change from their own individual behaviour to workplaces, national policies and global political and economic systems. The module will equip students with the foundational knowledge to understand and think critically about how we currently approach sustainability and climate action and how we might into the future.

Applicants should hold at a minimum a 2:2 grade NFQ Level 8 (or equivalent) Honours degree in a relevant discipline.

This course is also open to experienced professionals who do not hold a primary or higher degree, with entry via Maynooth University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For more information on RPL, please visit the website:https://bit.ly/3UAdHrX

Minimum English language requirements

For more information on the minimum English language requirements, please see the following link to Entry Requirements for Maynooth University Micro-credentials:https://bit.ly/3UGFW8B

In addition to the requirements listed above, all entrants should possess an English language level of CEFR B2.2