What our students thought: Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc

“In 2022, we will welcome the tenth cohort of our MSc programme "Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment" (EPEE). Over the years, EPEE has become an internationally recognised programme, repeatedly praised by external examiners as one of the best in its field. Hundreds of students have learnt from our world-class academics, becoming leaders and innovators in business, policy and research. Thanks to our interdisciplinary and diversified environment, our programme equips MSc EPEE students with what is needed to excel and make their own contribution to making this world a better place. At the same time, in-class discussions make our research-led teaching special for our staff, with many colleagues still collaborating with alumni after several years. We know that the programme will continue to evolve and improve and, together with our alumni, will contribute to making our societies more sustainable and equitable”.

Lorenzo Lotti, EPEE Programme Lead

What our alumni say

Before pursuing the EPEE MSc, I studied economics and worked at Nottingham City Council on the refugee resettlement team.

I chose EPEE as it offered an excellent range of modules that were taught by industrial and academic experts. The course also provided numerous insightful guest speaker event from a range of businesses and organisations external to UCL. This enabled me to tailor the course to my interests and potential career pathway. One such tailoring choice was studying the Energy, Environment and Resources in Developing Countries module. This module allowed me to develop my knowledge and skills from the core modules and apply them in the context of the Global South particularly focussing on social justice and economic development.

After graduating I started work as an Analyst at InfluenceMap, an independent think tank that provides data and analysis on how business and finance are affecting the climate crisis. Studying a range of modules during EPEE that included EU and international policy enabled me to work on developments in EU climate legislation in my new role.

What advice would I have for future students? Maintaining a work life balance that suits you is extremely important for your mental health and will help you to sustain good productivity. When it comes to employment, I would suggest being flexible and not fixating on one industry - many companies appreciate different experiences and transferable skills.

Vivek Parekh, Analyst at Influence Map, graduated 2020

My undergraduate degree was in Economics, with a focus in econometrics, and after graduating I worked briefly in health economics research before shifting towards a career in environmental economics.

One of the best things about the EPEE MSc was its excellent teaching staff that elevated the degree to world-class levels. I particularly enjoyed the Behavioural Economics module and, thanks to the great teaching staff and course structure, I was able to deepen my understanding through a combination of theory and practical application which was very exciting. I still use what I learned in that module in my current endeavours!

My MSc was pivotal in forging my current career path. It had been a long-standing dream of mine to work for the United Nations and I am currently working as an Environmental Economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome. I am a part of the adaptation team working on the "Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land use and Agriculture through NDC and NAP (SCALA)" programme, which focuses on addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation related to the agricultural sector.

Of course, pursuing a Master's degree is not only about progressing academically and professionally. It is also about meeting new, interesting, and like-minded individuals to share the journey with. I was exceptionally lucky to build some wonderful friendships during EPEE and have enjoyed celebrating in their many successes since graduating!

Shanali Pethiyagoda, Environmental Economist at the FAO, graduated 2019

Prior to starting the EPEE MSc, I had been working as a research fellow at the Russian Academy of Sciences where I explored the economy of oil and gas dependant regions. The MSc gave me a chance to deepen my knowledge on energy economics and policy and I really appreciate how intense and comprehensive the programme was. One of my favourite modules was ‘Energy, Technology and Innovation’ because it explained the theory behind technological development. The concepts which I learned in the module I use the most in my everyday work.

After graduation, I joined the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) as Strategy and Policy Team intern, where I focused on natural gas sector methane emissions mitigation. I currently work as a Senior Analyst at the Sustainable Development Centre of the Russian Energy Agency. We provide analytical support to the Ministry of Energy on a range of issues pertaining to energy and the environment. Indeed, the MSc equipped me with a set of cutting-edge knowledge and skills, which are unique for my home country. From Levelised Cost of Energy models to energy policies, I am now fully prepared to work in the growing field of the energy transition!

Irina Semykina, Senior Analyst at the Sustainable Development Centre of the Russian Energy Agency, graduated 2020

What are the biggest sustainable resources challenges and opportunities facing society today?

Vivek

With over 750 million people still without access to electricity across the globe, one of the major challenges that remains is supporting the least developed regions to gain access to energy services in a climate friendly manner. Despite contributing the least to climate change, developing countries face the most devastating impacts. So it is important that international climate objectives are achieved in conjunction with tackling environmental and social justice challenges faced in developing nations. Recent cost reductions and technological progress in renewable energy brings an opportunity for developing nations to achieve economic development by leapfrogging highly polluting fossil fuels. Aside from this, the determined nature of younger generations worldwide, through movements such as Fridays for Future, have ensured that climate change can no longer slip down the political agenda and have begun to hold policymakers accountable for addressing the ongoing climate crisis and ecological breakdown.With over 750 million people still without access to electricity across the globe, one of the major challenges that remains is supporting the least developed regions to gain access to energy services in a climate friendly manner. Despite contributing the least to climate change, developing countries face the most devastating impacts. So it is important that international climate objectives are achieved in conjunction with tackling environmental and social justice challenges faced in developing nations. Recent cost reductions and technological progress in renewable energy brings an opportunity for developing nations to achieve economic development by leapfrogging highly polluting fossil fuels. Aside from this, the determined nature of younger generations worldwide, through movements such as Fridays for Future, have ensured that climate change can no longer slip down the political agenda and have begun to hold policymakers accountable for addressing the ongoing climate crisis and ecological breakdown."

Shanali

Working at FAO has solidified my belief that achieving sustainable and climate-resilient agri-food systems are one of the biggest challenges we are currently facing. Agri-food systems contribute to climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation, which in turn contribute to the increasing climate vulnerability and food and livelihood insecurity of millions of people who depend on these systems. Increasing food demand in the future is likely to drive further pressures on agri-food systems, and so responding to these challenges requires transforming agri-food systems in a way that they become part of the solution. Climate change mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agri-food systems will need to occur in parallel with increasing the resilience and productivity of agri-food systems to meet projected demand. Fortunately, there are already numerous opportunities to do so. Taking agriculture as an integral part of the agri-food system, we have the opportunity to scale up solutions such as climate-smart agriculture, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and nature-based solutions to build resilient ecosystems. A full transformation, however, will require new types of thinking, solutions and innovation in all facets of the agri-food system."

Irina

I think that one of the major challenges of future low-carbon energy systems is the increased material intensity. As renewable technologies require more metals and minerals, which need to be reused or recycled, this should lead to the wide adoption of new circular-based economy business models."