Earth faces tremendous challenges. Human behaviour is changing the climate, and the conditions needed to sustain biodiversity and ensure we can live safe and comfortable lives are under increasing threat. As global competition for natural resources intensifies, we are crossing planetary boundaries in resource use, climate change and biodiversity loss.

Finding just and sustainable solutions is complicated. We have to fully understand the consequences of potential measures while considering social inequality, cultural differences and human rights. What brings a sustainable future closer for one group may have unintended effects on another.

Leiden University offers research and teaching that centres these complex problems. Our researchers are environmental scientists, legal scholars, ecologists, economists, public administration experts, archaeologists, medical doctors, anthropologists and psychologists. Working in close interdisciplinary collaboration, we study the effects of human behaviour on the planet, and investigate whether sustainability measures are just.

We maintain strong global partnerships with regions in South America, Africa and Asia. These help us view sustainable developments from a global perspective and navigate the complex considerations involved.