Climate change anticipation and adaptation

Climate change is a major present day challenge. Anticipating impacts and knowing how to adapt are important skills of environmental engineers. Data interpretation and numerical modeling are key tools to anticipate climate change effects and rely, amongst other, on proper process description, detailed information of greenhouse gas emissions and policy scenarios (e.g., implementation of CO2 acts). Anticipating climate change is essential for the preservation of the natural and the protection of the built environments. Understanding the system’s complexity, seeking and implementing adequate engineering solutions, including use of renewable energy, are key to achieve this. The rapid evolution of climate conditions has a deep impact on the environment and society, including increased occurrence of natural hazards. The understanding of hazards and extreme phenomena is essential for adaptation.

Course content

This specialization covers aspects related to climate change:

  • Atmospheric processes, air quality, hydrology
  • Renewable energy, environmental impacts
  • Risk, environmental management

Link to list of courses

Professional prospects

  • Companies in environmental and civil engineering
  • Insurance (e.g. risk analysis), public administrations, public health
  • land and municipality management, national agency (e.g. Meteosuisse)
  • International companies and institutions
  • Research institutes: e.g. WSL, EAWAG