The unit examines sustainable development and governance in different contexts from local communities to international organisations.

Current global events and crises constitute a decisive framework for sustainable development covering social, economic and environmental issues. The international cooperation required to address global crises in terms of climate change, energy shortage, pandemics, food insecurity, etc. has never been adequate, but is now furthermore challenged by the divide between the Global South and North, by big power rivalry, and by attempts to undermine rules-based cooperation.

The researchers focus on governance in terms of the practices and institutions shaping policy making and implementation, on poverty and inequality, and on geopolitics and decolonization.
Geographically, the unit covers a number of countries particularly in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Institutionally, studies focus on the EU and the UN.

Central themes

• Climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Energy security and renewable energy
• Gender equality
• Technologies and big data
• Development finance and cooperation