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PDACPDS – 15 Years of Teaching and Learning
The PhD Program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development Policies is a joint initiative of the University of Lisbon and NOVA University of Lisbon, in partnership with the University of East Anglia, started in the 2009-2010 academic year.
Associated schools include the Faculty of Sciences, School of Arts and Humanities, Institute of Social Sciences, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, and the Instituto Superior Técnico from the University of Lisbon, as well as the NOVA School of Sciences and Technology and the NOVA School of Social and Humann Sciences, from NOVA University Lisbon. Featuring an excellent faculty body, the Program reflects the diversity of the scientific research upon which its curriculum is based. With the experience of 16 editions, the PhD boasts a vast network of alumni dispersed globally, working at key positions in public administration, public policy, education, climate action, and the private sector.
The rapid and far-reaching transformations driven by climate change have inspired a renewed mission for the PhD program: to prepare future leaders capable of shaping change across every dimension of sustainability.
Since 2009, leading science for climate action and sustainable development..
IMPACT
We produce knowledge with scientific relevance and societal impact. Approximately 200 doctoral graduates across various fields have been awarded, many serving as change agents in their professional contexts, promoting policies and actions aligned with climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable development.
INTERDISCIPLINARITY
We integrate scientific approaches from engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences to address global complexity. Interdisciplinarity is a fundamental characteristic for research in climate change and sustainable development, reflected both in the diverse backgrounds of the students and in the first-year curriculum and the scientific scope of the theses.
EXCELLENC
We promote scientific rigor, innovation, and leadership in the advancement of knowledge, underpinned by ethical responsibility. Five schools at the University of Lisbon and two schools at NOVA University support the PhD program, leveraging the scientific excellence of eight research units—CENSE at NOVA FCT, ICS and CF at University of Lisbon, CEF at ISA, IDL and CE3C at FCUL, CERIS at IST, and CICS NOVA —the vast majority classified as Excellent (FCT, 2025), where students develop their research.
PARTNERSHIPS
We forge partnerships to broaden the scope and responsibility of science, and to foster transformative solutions. The PhD Program has benefited from numerous partnerships throughout its 16-year journey, starting with the first between the University of Lisbon and NOVA University in 2009, and later joined by the University of East Anglia. Many students have benefited from partnerships with other European and non-European universities through co-supervision schemes, such as Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the University of São Paulo, among others. Partnerships with civil society are essential to underpin the impact of the research.
TARGET AUDIENCE
The target audience includes all individuals interested in the scientific domains covered by the PhD Program, aiming to pursue an academic or professional career with impact in areas such as environment, planning, and energy, among others. The Program welcomes students interested in practicing research in the field of climate change and sustainable development, from anywhere in the world, particularly from CPLP countries .
Candidates must hold a Master degree or equivalent legal qualification in the fields of social sciences and humanities, physical and natural sciences, or engineering.
The PhD program was fundamental for my professional career and also for my development as a human being and as a citizen. This message has been spread across many countries, with the participation of many international students.
Márcia Gonçalves - Brazil
Professionally, I am now considered a technician with more tools to address the challenges of my country and thus offer a better contribution. I’ am very grateful to the PhD Program for the time I spent there, the knowledge I acquired, and the dedication of professors and friendship of colleagues.
Dudene Lima – São Tomé e Príncipe
I learned so many new disciplines! The choices are vast, including philosophy… If you still have doubts, apply, because it is an excellent program.
Johanna Rothman – Países Baixos
When I joined the PhD Program, I was willing to learn how institutions and governance structures could speed climate action. I’ve accepted the professors’ challenge to learn critically over the theoretical and practical interconnections of public policies, technologies, and political systems, and how change can happen.
Jielling Liu - China
When we started the PhD Program, we joined an academic community dedicated to studying and contributing to fight Climate Change. It was very important to us because it enhanced our research skills and taught us to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world situations. We had the opportunity to work on the development of institutional climate regulations, applied across all military schools of the Brazilian army. This PhD program shows that, together, we can make a difference.
