How to study sustainability and climate policy at the Hertie School

The Hertie School offers plenty of ways to critically engage with one of the most pressing threats facing governments and communities around the globe: climate change. Whether you’re passionate about fighting climate change or want to dive deep into the details of energy policy, the Hertie School offers plenty of ways for students to engage in these topics.

So how can you study sustainability at the Hertie School? We spoke to current Master of Public Policy student Diksha Choudhary on how she’s fine-tuning her master’s to focus on climate mitigation policies. Read Diksha’s perspective and learn how you can do the same.
 

How did your passion for sustainability develop, and why did you decide to come to Berlin to pursue these topics?

I always knew I wanted to make my career in policymaking but did not have a clear idea on what I really wanted to do. However, after living in Delhi and seeing the impact of pollution – on both myself and my community – as well as hearing about natural disasters in India triggered by climate change, this field transformed into a true calling. I chose to come to the Hertie School in Berlin after thorough research on climate policies and where my career would benefit the most. Berlin is really alive with awareness on these issues. There is a strong start-up culture here, and climate change mitigation politics are an active part of the national politics. The German Green Party, for example, is a part of the newly elected government.
 

How have you incorporated sustainability topics into your studies?

Right from the very first semester in my Policy Process course, I got to learn about how complex climate change really is, and how climate policy is decided at different levels of governance. In my second semester course Sustainability Economics, I learnt about fascinating concepts such as the Environmental Kuznets Curve, Coase Theorem, global warming, geoengineering and much more. The foundational concepts from my first year were not only an immense help in understanding the most optimal use of both non-renewable and renewable resources, but they also formed a crucial basis for my second-year courses.

In my third semester, I continued to dive deep into this field with courses on renewable energy policy, advanced climate policy and global environmental politics. The Hertie School also offers a brand new course on AI & Climate Change, which as the name suggests, focuses on the intersection of tech and climate policy, and how AI innovations can play a huge role in climate mitigation policies. I didn’t take this course, but I’ve heard great things about it from my friends!
 

What are the opportunities to get involved in sustainability at the Hertie School, and how have you taken advantage of them?

The last few months have been an exciting for students enthusiastic about sustainability policy. The Hertie School inaugurated the Centre for Sustainability – a hub for teaching, research and analysis for effective energy and sustainability policies – under the guidance of Professor Christian Flachsland and Professor Lion Hirth. The centre also organises an annual professional event which brings together Hertie students and alumni working in energy and environmental policy. As a non-German student, this event was a great way for me to get a better understanding of my career opportunities in the sustainability sector post-Hertie.

The school is also working hard to minimise its environmental footprint with the recently launched Sustainable Campus Initiative. For instance, I know that the school is focusing on promoting sustainable transportation options to its staff and faculty to help reduce carbon emissions associated with travel. Students also actively work together with the university to take concrete steps forward.
 

Can you tell us more about the Women in Sustainability Mentoring Programme and your experience in it?

One of the things I’m most proud of is that the Centre for Sustainability has acknowledged that there exists a vast gender gap in the energy and environmental protection sector. To bridge this gap and to help female students progress in an often male-dominated career path, they’ve launched the flagship Women in Sustainability Mentoring Programme to help female students pursue their careers in climate, energy and sustainability policy.

As a part of this programme, mentees have the opportunity to speak and receive guidance from Dr. Brigitte Knopf and Ms. Jesse Scott, two truly exceptional female leaders in the field. They’ve shared with us their own experiences, challenges and what kept them going despite all the hurdles women face in this field. I am also inspired by my fellow students on the programme. Not only have they given me a safe space and community to share my thoughts and ideas, but they also inspire me never to give up and settle for less in my career.
 

How are you engaging in these topics outside of the university?

During the 2021 climate strike, we had our own little Fridays for Future contingent. It was amazing to meet like-minded people are who are as passionate about climate change as I am. We also organised discussions and debates around the topic. We currently have WhatsApp groups where we share interesting articles, events and the work with each other.
 

As you wrap up your master’s degree, what plans do you have to continue working in this field?

I will be writing my master’s thesis on transformations in the transportation sector. As Germany has set high targets to achieve emission-free vehicles, I want to explore e-mobility in Germany, its progress, the availability of infrastructure and whether it’s even possible to have emission-free vehicles in the near future. I am really looking forward to learning from my professors, peers, the Centre for Sustainability and industry experts who recognise and value Hertie School students. I am hoping that I can take home what I learn in Berlin and use my new skills to work in the green mobility sector in India.