School Overview
Conceived in 2019, the School of Environment and Climate Change develops regionally relevant programs designed to build national and Pacific capacity for adaptation, mitigation, environmental governance, and sustainable development.
Striving Towards Climate Compatible Development
The School aims to strengthen national, regional, and international efforts to address climate change by developing practical expertise in environmental science, engineering, policy, health, and resilience.
Building capacity for the Pacific
The vision is to support local adaptation and mitigation measures across Pacific Island countries and help solve major environmental and resource challenges facing the region now and into the future.
Admission requirements
Minimum GPA: 2.5 or higher
Required Grade 12 subjects: Language and Literature, Maths A or Maths B, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and one other subject, preferably Geography.
Ideal career path
Graduates of programs in the School of Environment and Climate Change may work as:
- Ecologist
- Environmental Specialist
- Environmental Science Teacher
- Environmental Health & Safety Officer
Degree in Environment and Climate Change (BSc.ECC)
- Four-year programme with essential foundation courses and advanced study in climate physical science, impacts and adaptation, mitigation approaches, ecological economics, and risk communication.
- Upper-year courses include sustainability and development under a changing climate, business, environment and sustainability, research methods and ethics, and terrestrial biosphere and earth systems.
- Final-year study includes climate change policy and literacy, policy responses and options, water environment governance, food security, and an Environment and Climate Change Field School linked with agencies such as CCDA, CEPA, and local-level governments.
Degree in Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering (BSc.RE.EE)
- Four-year programme focused on renewable energy and environmental engineering, especially relevant to the ENB region.
- Topics include GIS and GPS systems, environmental biology, global climate change, bioenergy, hydroelectric technology, solar photovoltaics, tidal power, wind energy, and biomass energy systems.
- Advanced study covers computer and GIS applications, ecological evaluation for EIAs, occupational health and safety, facility operations, life cycle assessment, fluid mechanics, leadership, ethics, and field research, with support anticipated through CCDA and CEPA partnerships.
Advanced Diploma in Environmental Health (ADip. Env.H)
- Three-year programme highly relevant to Papua New Guinea, especially in the context of national environmental health needs and public health challenges.
- Includes foundation study in environmental science, climate change, geohazards and geosciences, followed by climate science, impacts and mitigation, environmental and social impact assessments, population health, environmental health, law and compliance, and professional practice.
- Also covers communicable disease control, health promotion planning, administration, and environmental health law in PNG, with anticipated professional practicum support through the PNG Health Ministry.
Advanced Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (ADip.CCA&M)
- Three-year advanced programme focused on practical and nationally relevant adaptation and mitigation training.
- Core areas include climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, climate science, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, cryosphere science, ridge-to-reef ecological relations, and disaster risk reduction for resilience.
- The programme highlights global warming effects, community-based adaptation in PNG, climate economics, resilience, sustainable change, and practical field research coordinated with CCDA.
Additional engineering pathway
This three-year programme provides foundation courses and focuses on natural resource management, sustainable environmental management accounting, environmental legislation in PNG, geothermal energy, environmental management and EIA/SEIA, environmental pollution and remediation, disaster risk reduction, policy and governance, and renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction mechanisms.
It also highlights field research projects affiliated with CEPA and CCDA, together with linkages to industry and private sector enterprises.
Regionally relevant and practical
These programmes are designed around the environmental realities of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, combining scientific knowledge, governance, resilience planning, industry links, and field-based learning.
For more information
Senior Assistant Registrar
Academic & Student Administration Office
University: Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment
Address: Private Mail Bag, Kokopo, East New Britain Province
Phone: 987 1258 / 983 9249
Fax: 983 9249 / 983 9166
Email: pngunreundergraduates@gmail.com