Centre for Environmental Policy

student studying plants

The Centre for Environmental Policy provides a unique interface between science and engineering, and the economic, legal and policy context in which they are developed and applied.

We focus on environmental and sustainability issues, including:

  • Energy
  • Pollution
  • Resource management
  • Food, water and health security
  • Poverty reduction

We offer truly interdisciplinary MSc courses and practical PhD training provision. Our research focuses on current and foreseeable environmental issues. Major themes include energy policy, sustainable transition, environmental quality and environmental security and governance. This work is carried out by our team of lawyers, economists, policy experts, scientists and engineers.

The market for our graduates has continued to grow globally across employment sectors over the past 35 years.

Study opportunities

The Department offers a number of study options to help you take your knowledge to the next level.

If you are interested in Doctoral study, it’s important to gain support for your application from your potential supervisor before making a formal application to the College.

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Master's courses

MSc course

Research programme

PhD Environmental research (2–4 years full-time; 4–6 years part-time)

The Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) provides a unique research interface between science and technology and the economic and policy context, in which it is developed and applied. We carry out research across four themes:

Energy policy

Energy research and postgraduate supervision in the CEP is carried out through Imperial’s Centre for Energy Policy and Technology (ICEPT). ICEPT engages in the interdisciplinary study of energy and the environment. Specialising in the interface between technology and policy, ICEPT and its postgraduate students carry out objective research, analysis and policy advice for leading government and company players in the energy sector.

Environmental security and governance

This grouping brings together researchers from the natural and social sciences with the objective of better understanding policy problems around plant and animal diseases and food security, and how best to deal with them through governance strategies.

Environmental quality

This research theme focuses on the link between engineering, science and policy for environmental quality management, and its impact on quality of life. With a renewed focus in restabilising what the real problems are from a systems perspective, our research delivers effective strategies for pollution control and sustainable management, through the integrated scientific study of contaminants and implications for environmental risk assessment, management and policy.

Sustainable transitions

Our research addresses the need to rethink our conventional model of development with the aim of sustainable transformation. Climate change mitigation and adaptation, changing company attitudes, sustainable innovation policy and regulation, and transition management of governance are key areas of our research. We work with leading companies and governments.

For more information about each research theme see the Centre for Environmental Policy's website.