Alumni news
University of Sussex launches UK's first Climate Justice undergraduate degree
By: Tom Walters
Last updated: Thursday, 27 February 2025
- New course is first of its kind in the UK
- Launched in response to increased demand from 14-18 year olds for climate change education from the social sciences
- New undergraduate course will equip next generation with skills and knowledge required to lead fight for sustainability and justice
The University of Sussex has today (27 February) launched the UK’s first ever undergraduate level climate justice degree in the social sciences.
The BA in Climate Justice, Sustainability and Development, which will begin in 2026, will equip students with a unique blend of expertise in climate politics, activism, and environmental human rights. This will be combined with the practical green skills – the know-how and abilities needed to work in ways that help protect the environment – needed to drive real-world change.
The course comes at a time when more young people than ever want to learn about the impact of climate change. A recent Future Forum survey found that 72% of 14–18-year-olds want more relevant and rigorous climate change education, with a demand for more humanities and social sciences-based climate education.
The course also responds to the growing need from employers and businesses for solutions-focused teaching and practical green skills. Research from LinkedIn shows that job seekers with green skills are 54.6% more likely to secure employment than the wider workforce, underscoring the increasing value of sustainability expertise in today’s job market.
Professor Geert De Neve, Head of the School of Global Studies at Sussex, said:
“This course is a response to rising demand from young people across the UK and beyond. Our own research found that over three-quarters (76%) of social science applicants wanted to learn more about climate change.
“It will provide a unique opportunity for students to combine their passion for tackling the climate crisis with the skills and knowledge required to lead in the fight for sustainability and justice. It reflects Sussex’s long-standing commitment to educating students who can drive positive global impact.”
Climate justice, the focus of this course, addresses social equity, historical responsibility, and economic shifts in climate change. Emerging from civil society movements in the 2000s, it now shapes debates in the UK Parliament and UN. It is crucial for policymakers, NGOs, activists, and businesses.
The University of Sussex, which is home to one of the world’s oldest institutes of International Development and has been ranked first in the world globally for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024) for eight consecutive years, has the ambition to be one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the world, and to reach net zero by 2035.
The BA in Climate Justice, Sustainability and Development plays a key role in this vision, preparing graduates to thrive in a changing world. The course offers a multidisciplinary education, teaching students to live and work sustainably while showcasing their skills to employers.
Drawing on Sussex’s tradition of activism and disruptive thinking, the programme includes skills-based teaching through real-world problem-solving, engaging with local projects and green careers-focused activities.
Open for applications in February 2025, the BA will be launched to coincide with Climate Justice Week and Green Careers Week. Visit the University of Sussex website to learn more about our wider portfolio of sustainability teaching.