The “Climate Change and Energy Transition” cluster at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam brings together researchers from various faculties to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. By fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, the cluster aims to explore both the challenges and solutions connected to climate change and the global shift toward sustainable energy systems.
Climate change is a wicked problem that transcends boundaries on multiple levels. Its impacts and causes extend beyond national borders, demanding international cooperation and innovative policy frameworks. The issue also crosses temporal boundaries, as the actions (or inactions) of current generations have profound consequences for future ones. Conceptually, it challenges long-standing political, economic, and scientific paradigms, calling for novel ways of thinking and acting. Scientifically, climate change is inherently multifaceted, requiring integration of insights from fields as diverse as natural sciences, social sciences, law, economics, and humanities.
The energy transition, while essential to mitigating climate change, poses its own set of complex, boundary-crossing challenges. It requires a rethinking of energy systems, infrastructure, and governance, all while balancing the imperatives of sustainability, economic feasibility, and social equity. The transition involves technological innovation, legal frameworks, behavioural change, and political will — all areas where disciplines must intersect to design effective and equitable pathways forward. This cluster seeks to address these interconnected challenges by adopting a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. Researchers aim to deepen our understanding of the intertwined dynamics of climate change and the energy transition while exploring practical solutions that transcend disciplinary silos.