environmental policy research paper topics

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

Private Coaching

F inding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

  • Ecology /ecological science
  • Atmospheric science
  • Oceanography
  • Soil science
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Environmental economics
  • Environmental ethics
  • Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

  • The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
  • The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
  • The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
  • Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
  • The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
  • The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
  • The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
  • The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
  • The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
  • The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

  • The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
  • The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
  • The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
  • Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
  • The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
  • The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
  • The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
  • The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
  • The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
  • The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Research topic evaluator

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

  • The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
  • The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
  • The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
  • Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
  • The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
  • The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
  • The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
  • The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
  • The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
  • The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Research topic idea mega list

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

  • The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
  • The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
  • The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
  • Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
  • The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
  • The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
  • The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
  • The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
  • The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
  • The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

  • The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
  • The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
  • The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
  • Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
  • The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
  • The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
  • The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
  • The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
  • The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
  • The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

  • The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
  • The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
  • The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
  • Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
  • The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
  • The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
  • The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
  • The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
  • The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
  • The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

  • The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
  • The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
  • The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
  • Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
  • The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
  • The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
  • The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
  • The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
  • The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
  • The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

  • The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
  • The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
  • The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
  • Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
  • The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
  • The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
  • The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
  • The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
  • The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
  • The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Need a helping hand?

environmental policy research paper topics

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

  • The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
  • The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
  • The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
  • Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
  • The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
  • The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
  • The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
  • The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
  • The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
  • The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
  • The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
  • Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
  • Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
  • Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
  • Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
  • The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
  • Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
  • Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
  • Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
  • A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
  • Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
  • Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
  • Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Research Topic Bootcamp

Find The Perfect Research Topic

How To Choose A Research Topic: 5 Key Criteria

How To Choose A Research Topic: 5 Key Criteria

How To Choose A Research Topic Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples + Free Topic...

Research Topics & Ideas: Automation & Robotics

Research Topics & Ideas: Automation & Robotics

Research Topics & Ideas: Robotics 50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research...

Research Topics & Ideas: Sociology

Research Topics & Ideas: Sociology

Research Topics & Ideas: Sociology 50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research...

Research Topics & Ideas: Public Health & Epidemiology

Research Topics & Ideas: Public Health & Epidemiology

Research Topics & Ideas: Public Health 50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research...

Research Topics & Ideas: Neuroscience

Research Topics & Ideas: Neuroscience

Research Topics & Ideas: Neuroscience 50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research...

📄 FREE TEMPLATES

Research Topic Ideation

Proposal Writing

Literature Review

Methodology & Analysis

Academic Writing

Referencing & Citing

Apps, Tools & Tricks

The Grad Coach Podcast

12 Comments

wafula

research topics on climate change and environment

Chioma

Researched PhD topics on environmental chemistry involving dust and water

Masango Dieudonne

I wish to learn things in a more advanced but simple way and with the hopes that I am in the right place.

Olusegunbukola Olubukola janet

Thank so much for the research topics. It really helped

saheed

the guides were really helpful

Nandir Elaine shelbut

Research topics on environmental geology

Blessing

Thanks for the research topics….I need a research topic on Geography

EDDIE NOBUHLE THABETHE

hi I need research questions ideas

Yinkfu Randy

Implications of climate variability on wildlife conservation on the west coast of Cameroon

jeanne uwamahoro

I want the research on environmental planning and management

Mvuyisi

I want a topic on environmental sustainability

Micah Evelyn Joshua

It good coaching

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Submit Comment

  • Print Friendly
  • Privacy Policy

Research Method

Home » 500+ Environmental Research Topics

500+ Environmental Research Topics

Environmental Research Topics

Environmental research is a crucial area of study in today’s world, as we face an increasing number of complex and pressing environmental challenges. From climate change to pollution, biodiversity loss to natural resource depletion, there is an urgent need for scientific inquiry and investigation to inform policy, decision-making, and action. Environmental research encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including ecology, biology , geology, chemistry , and physics , among others, and explores a diverse array of topics , from ocean acidification to sustainable agriculture. Through rigorous scientific inquiry and a commitment to generating evidence-based solutions, environmental research plays a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. In this article, we will cover some trending Environmental Research Topics.

Environmental Research Topics

Environmental Research Topics are as follows:

  • Climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and society
  • The effectiveness of carbon capture and storage technology
  • The role of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems
  • The impact of human activity on soil quality
  • The impact of plastic pollution on marine life
  • The effectiveness of renewable energy sources
  • The impact of deforestation on local communities and wildlife
  • The relationship between air pollution and human health
  • The impact of agricultural practices on soil erosion
  • The effectiveness of conservation measures for endangered species
  • The impact of overfishing on marine ecosystems
  • The role of wetlands in mitigating climate change
  • The impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems
  • The impact of urbanization on local ecosystems
  • The impact of climate change on global food security
  • The effectiveness of water conservation measures
  • The impact of pesticide use on pollinators
  • The impact of acid rain on aquatic ecosystems
  • The impact of sea level rise on coastal communities
  • The effectiveness of carbon taxes in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • The impact of habitat destruction on migratory species
  • The impact of invasive species on native ecosystems
  • The role of national parks in biodiversity conservation
  • The impact of climate change on coral reefs
  • The effectiveness of green roofs in reducing urban heat island effect
  • The impact of noise pollution on wildlife behavior
  • The impact of air pollution on crop yields
  • The effectiveness of composting in reducing organic waste
  • The impact of climate change on the Arctic ecosystem
  • The impact of land use change on soil carbon sequestration
  • The role of mangroves in coastal protection and carbon sequestration
  • The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems
  • The impact of ocean acidification on marine organisms
  • The effectiveness of carbon offsets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • The impact of deforestation on climate regulation
  • The impact of groundwater depletion on agriculture
  • The impact of climate change on migratory bird populations
  • The effectiveness of wind turbines in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • The impact of urbanization on bird diversity
  • The impact of climate change on ocean currents
  • The impact of drought on plant and animal populations
  • The effectiveness of agroforestry in improving soil quality
  • The impact of climate change on water availability
  • The impact of wildfires on carbon storage in forests
  • The impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green energy subsidies
  • The impact of nitrogen pollution on aquatic ecosystems
  • The impact of climate change on forest ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of community-based conservation initiatives
  • The impact of climate change on the water cycle
  • The impact of mining activities on local ecosystems
  • The impact of wind energy on bird and bat populations
  • The effectiveness of bioremediation in cleaning up contaminated soil and water
  • The impact of deforestation on local climate patterns
  • The impact of climate change on insect populations
  • The impact of agricultural runoff on freshwater ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of smart irrigation systems in reducing water use
  • The impact of ocean currents on marine biodiversity
  • The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green buildings in reducing energy use
  • The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and sea level rise
  • The impact of light pollution on nocturnal wildlife behavior
  • The impact of climate change on desert ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of electric vehicles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • The impact of ocean pollution on human health
  • The impact of land use change on water quality
  • The impact of urbanization on bird populations
  • The impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems and wildlife
  • The effectiveness of green energy storage technologies in promoting renewable energy use
  • The impact of climate change on freshwater availability and water management
  • The impact of industrial pollution on air quality and human health
  • The effectiveness of urban green spaces in promoting human health and well-being
  • The impact of climate change on snow cover and winter tourism
  • The impact of agricultural land use on biodiversity and ecosystem services
  • The effectiveness of green incentives in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
  • The impact of ocean acidification on shellfish and mollusk populations
  • The impact of climate change on river flow and flooding
  • The effectiveness of green supply chain management in promoting sustainable production
  • The impact of noise pollution on avian communication and behavior
  • The impact of climate change on arctic ecosystems and wildlife
  • The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable tourism
  • The impact of microplastics on marine food webs and human health
  • The impact of climate change on invasive species distributions
  • The effectiveness of green infrastructure in promoting sustainable urban development
  • The impact of plastic pollution on human health and food safety
  • The impact of climate change on soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling
  • The effectiveness of green technologies in promoting sustainable industrial production
  • The impact of climate change on permafrost thaw and methane emissions
  • The impact of deforestation on water quality and quantity
  • The effectiveness of green certification schemes in promoting sustainable production and consumption
  • The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
  • The impact of climate change on bird migration patterns
  • The effectiveness of green waste management in promoting sustainable resource use
  • The impact of climate change on insect populations and ecosystem services
  • The impact of plastic pollution on human society and culture
  • The effectiveness of green finance in promoting sustainable development goals
  • The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity hotspots
  • The impact of climate change on natural disasters and disaster risk reduction
  • The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable cities and communities
  • The impact of deforestation on soil carbon storage and climate change
  • The impact of noise pollution on human communication and behavior
  • The effectiveness of green energy policy in promoting renewable energy use
  • The impact of climate change on Arctic sea ice and wildlife
  • The impact of agricultural practices on soil quality and ecosystem health
  • The effectiveness of green taxation in promoting sustainable behavior
  • The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and wildlife
  • The impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions and crop production
  • The effectiveness of green innovation in promoting sustainable technological advancements
  • The impact of climate change on ocean currents and marine heatwaves
  • The impact of deforestation on indigenous communities and cultural practices
  • The effectiveness of green governance in promoting sustainable development and environmental justice
  • The effectiveness of wetland restoration in reducing flood risk
  • The impact of climate change on the spread of vector-borne diseases
  • The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable consumption
  • The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems
  • The impact of renewable energy development on wildlife habitats
  • The effectiveness of environmental education programs in promoting pro-environmental behavior
  • The impact of deforestation on global climate change
  • The impact of microplastics on freshwater ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of eco-labeling in promoting sustainable seafood consumption
  • The impact of climate change on coral reef ecosystems
  • The impact of air pollution on human health and mortality rates
  • The effectiveness of eco-tourism in promoting conservation and community development
  • The impact of climate change on agricultural production and food security
  • The impact of wind turbine noise on wildlife behavior and populations
  • The impact of light pollution on nocturnal ecosystems and species
  • The effectiveness of green energy subsidies in promoting renewable energy use
  • The impact of invasive species on native ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and marine ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green public procurement in promoting sustainable production
  • The impact of deforestation on soil erosion and nutrient depletion
  • The impact of noise pollution on human health and well-being
  • The effectiveness of green building standards in promoting sustainable construction
  • The impact of climate change on forest fires and wildfire risk
  • The impact of e-waste on human health and environmental pollution
  • The impact of climate change on polar ice caps and sea levels
  • The impact of pharmaceutical pollution on freshwater ecosystems and wildlife
  • The effectiveness of green transportation policies in reducing carbon emissions
  • The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and water availability
  • The impact of pesticide use on pollinator populations and ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of circular economy models in reducing waste and promoting sustainability
  • The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The impact of plastic waste on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
  • The effectiveness of green chemistry in promoting sustainable manufacturing
  • The impact of climate change on ocean currents and weather patterns
  • The impact of agricultural runoff on freshwater ecosystems and water quality
  • The effectiveness of green bonds in financing sustainable infrastructure projects
  • The impact of climate change on soil moisture and desertification
  • The impact of noise pollution on marine ecosystems and species
  • The effectiveness of community-based conservation in promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health
  • The impact of climate change on permafrost ecosystems and carbon storage
  • The impact of urbanization on water pollution and quality
  • The effectiveness of green jobs in promoting sustainable employment
  • The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The impact of plastic pollution on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
  • The effectiveness of sustainable fashion in promoting sustainable consumption
  • The impact of climate change on phenology and seasonal cycles of plants and animals
  • The impact of ocean pollution on human health and seafood safety
  • The effectiveness of green procurement policies in promoting sustainable supply chains
  • The impact of climate change on marine food webs and ecosystems
  • The impact of agricultural practices on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
  • The effectiveness of green financing in promoting sustainable investment
  • The effectiveness of rainwater harvesting systems in reducing water use
  • The impact of climate change on permafrost ecosystems
  • The impact of coastal erosion on shoreline ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green infrastructure in reducing urban heat island effect
  • The impact of microorganisms on soil fertility and carbon sequestration
  • The impact of climate change on snowpack and water availability
  • The impact of oil and gas drilling on local ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of carbon labeling in promoting sustainable consumer choices
  • The impact of marine noise pollution on marine mammals
  • The impact of climate change on alpine ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green supply chain management in reducing environmental impact
  • The impact of climate change on river ecosystems
  • The impact of urban sprawl on wildlife habitat fragmentation
  • The effectiveness of carbon trading in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • The impact of ocean warming on marine ecosystems
  • The impact of agricultural practices on water quality and quantity
  • The effectiveness of green roofs in improving urban air quality
  • The impact of climate change on tropical rainforests
  • The impact of water pollution on human health and livelihoods
  • The effectiveness of green bonds in financing sustainable projects
  • The impact of climate change on polar bear populations
  • The impact of human activity on soil biodiversity
  • The effectiveness of waste-to-energy systems in reducing waste and emissions
  • The impact of climate change on Arctic sea ice and marine ecosystems
  • The impact of sea level rise on low-lying coastal cities and communities
  • The effectiveness of sustainable tourism in promoting conservation and community development
  • The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples and their livelihoods
  • The impact of climate change on sea turtle populations
  • The effectiveness of carbon-neutral and carbon-negative technologies
  • The impact of urbanization on water resources and quality
  • The impact of climate change on cold-water fish populations
  • The effectiveness of green entrepreneurship in promoting sustainable innovation
  • The impact of wildfires on air quality and public health
  • The impact of climate change on human migration patterns and social systems
  • The impact of noise pollution on bird communication and behavior in urban environments
  • The impact of climate change on estuarine ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The impact of deforestation on water availability and river basin management
  • The impact of climate change on plant phenology and distribution
  • The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
  • The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The impact of climate change on marine plastic debris accumulation and distribution
  • The effectiveness of green innovation in promoting sustainable technology development
  • The impact of climate change on crop yields and food security
  • The impact of noise pollution on human health and well-being in urban environments
  • The impact of climate change on Arctic marine ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The effectiveness of green transportation infrastructure in promoting sustainable mobility
  • The impact of deforestation on non-timber forest products and forest-dependent livelihoods
  • The impact of climate change on wetland carbon sequestration and storage
  • The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtle populations and nesting behavior
  • The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the Southern Ocean
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable agriculture
  • The impact of climate change on oceanographic processes and upwelling systems
  • The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial wildlife communication and behavior
  • The impact of climate change on coastal erosion and shoreline management
  • The effectiveness of green finance in promoting sustainable investment
  • The impact of deforestation on indigenous communities and traditional knowledge systems
  • The impact of climate change on tropical cyclones and extreme weather events
  • The effectiveness of green buildings in promoting energy efficiency and carbon reduction
  • The impact of plastic pollution on marine food webs and trophic interactions
  • The impact of climate change on algal blooms and harmful algal blooms in marine ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green business partnerships in promoting sustainable development goals
  • The impact of climate change on ocean deoxygenation and its effects on marine life
  • The impact of noise pollution on human sleep and rest patterns in urban environments
  • The impact of climate change on freshwater availability and management
  • The effectiveness of green entrepreneurship in promoting social and environmental justice
  • The impact of deforestation on wildlife habitat and biodiversity conservation
  • The impact of climate change on the migration patterns and behaviors of birds and mammals
  • The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable and livable cities
  • The impact of plastic pollution on microplastics and nanoplastics in marine ecosystems
  • The impact of climate change on marine ecosystem services and their value to society
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable forestry
  • The impact of climate change on ocean currents and their effects on marine biodiversity
  • The impact of noise pollution on urban ecosystems and their ecological functions
  • The impact of climate change on freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
  • The effectiveness of green policy implementation in promoting sustainable development
  • The impact of deforestation on soil carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions
  • The impact of climate change on marine mammals and their ecosystem roles
  • The effectiveness of green product labeling in promoting sustainable consumer behavior
  • The impact of plastic pollution on coral reefs and their resilience to climate change
  • The impact of climate change on waterborne diseases and public health
  • The effectiveness of green energy policies in promoting renewable energy adoption
  • The impact of deforestation on carbon storage and sequestration in peatlands
  • The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and its effects on marine life
  • The effectiveness of green supply chain management in promoting circular economy principles
  • The impact of noise pollution on urban birds and their vocal communication
  • The impact of climate change on ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests
  • The effectiveness of green marketing in promoting sustainable fashion and textiles
  • The impact of plastic pollution on deep-sea ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity hotspots and conservation priorities
  • The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable infrastructure development
  • The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by agroforestry systems
  • The impact of climate change on snow and ice cover and their effects on freshwater ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable tourism practices
  • The impact of noise pollution on human cognitive performance and productivity
  • The impact of climate change on forest fires and their effects on ecosystem services
  • The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable seafood consumption
  • The impact of climate change on insect populations and their ecosystem roles
  • The impact of plastic pollution on seabird populations and their reproductive success
  • The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable public sector spending
  • The impact of deforestation on soil erosion and land degradation
  • The impact of climate change on riverine ecosystems and their ecosystem services
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable fisheries
  • The impact of noise pollution on marine mammals and their acoustic communication
  • The impact of climate change on terrestrial carbon sinks and sources
  • The effectiveness of green technology transfer in promoting sustainable development
  • The impact of deforestation on non-timber forest products and their sustainable use
  • The impact of climate change on marine invasive species and their ecological impacts
  • The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable private sector spending
  • The impact of plastic pollution on zooplankton populations and their ecosystem roles
  • The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and their services
  • The effectiveness of green education in promoting sustainable behavior change
  • The impact of deforestation on watershed management and water quality
  • The impact of climate change on soil nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning
  • The effectiveness of green technology innovation in promoting sustainable development
  • The impact of noise pollution on human health in outdoor recreational settings
  • The impact of climate change on oceanic nutrient cycling and primary productivity
  • The effectiveness of green urban design in promoting sustainable and resilient cities
  • The impact of plastic pollution on marine microbial communities and their functions
  • The impact of climate change on coral reef bleaching and recovery
  • The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by community-managed forests
  • The impact of climate change on freshwater fish populations and their ecosystem roles
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable tourism
  • The impact of noise pollution on human stress and cardiovascular health
  • The impact of climate change on glacier retreat and their effects on freshwater ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green technology diffusion in promoting sustainable development
  • The impact of plastic pollution on sea grass beds and their ecosystem services
  • The impact of climate change on forest phenology and productivity.
  • The effectiveness of green transportation policies in promoting sustainable mobility
  • The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples’ livelihoods and traditional knowledge
  • The impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and their biodiversity
  • The effectiveness of green building standards in promoting sustainable architecture
  • The impact of noise pollution on nocturnal animals and their behavior
  • The impact of climate change on migratory bird populations and their breeding success
  • The effectiveness of green taxation in promoting sustainable consumption and production
  • The impact of deforestation on wildlife corridors and ecosystem connectivity
  • The impact of climate change on urban heat islands and their effects on public health
  • The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable forestry practices
  • The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtle populations and their nesting success
  • The impact of climate change on invasive plant species and their ecological impacts
  • The effectiveness of green business practices in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship
  • The impact of noise pollution on urban wildlife and their acoustic communication
  • The impact of climate change on alpine ecosystems and their services
  • The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
  • The impact of deforestation on soil carbon stocks and their effects on climate change
  • The impact of climate change on wetland methane emissions and their contribution to greenhouse gas concentrations
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable forestry and timber production
  • The impact of plastic pollution on marine mammal populations and their health
  • The impact of climate change on marine fisheries and their sustainable management
  • The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
  • The impact of noise pollution on bat populations and their behavior
  • The impact of climate change on permafrost thaw and its effects on Arctic ecosystems
  • The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by sacred groves
  • The impact of climate change on tropical cyclones and their impacts on coastal ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green technology transfer in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
  • The impact of plastic pollution on benthic macroinvertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
  • The impact of climate change on freshwater invertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
  • The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable wildlife tourism practices
  • The impact of noise pollution on amphibian populations and their communication
  • The impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems
  • The impact of deforestation on indigenous peoples’ food security and nutrition
  • The impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions and their ecosystem roles
  • The impact of plastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems and their services
  • The impact of climate change on oceanic currents and their effects on marine ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure
  • The impact of noise pollution on human sleep quality and mental health
  • The impact of climate change on marine viruses and their effects on marine life
  • The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable packaging and waste reduction
  • The impact of deforestation on ecosystem services provided by riparian forests
  • The impact of climate change on insect-pollinated crops and their yields
  • The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable waste management
  • The impact of plastic pollution on estuarine ecosystems and their services
  • The impact of climate change on groundwater recharge and aquifer depletion
  • The effectiveness of green education in promoting sustainable tourism practices
  • The impact of climate change on coral reefs and their biodiversity
  • The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable clothing and textile production
  • The impact of deforestation on riverine fish populations and their fishery-dependent communities
  • The impact of climate change on mountain water resources and their availability
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable tourism accommodations
  • The impact of plastic pollution on deep-sea ecosystems and their biodiversity
  • The impact of climate change on sea-level rise and its effects on coastal ecosystems and communities
  • The effectiveness of green energy policies in promoting renewable energy production
  • The impact of noise pollution on human cardiovascular health
  • The impact of climate change on biogeochemical cycles in marine ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable personal care and cosmetic products
  • The impact of deforestation on carbon sequestration and its effects on climate change
  • The impact of climate change on wildfire frequency and severity
  • The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable energy-efficient technologies
  • The impact of plastic pollution on beach ecosystems and their tourism potential
  • The impact of climate change on marine mammals and their habitat range shifts
  • The effectiveness of green urban design in promoting sustainable and livable neighborhoods
  • The impact of noise pollution on urban human and wildlife communities
  • The impact of climate change on soil microorganisms and their roles in nutrient cycling
  • The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable electronics and e-waste management
  • The impact of deforestation on watershed services and their effects on downstream ecosystems and communities
  • The impact of climate change on human migration patterns and their impacts on urbanization
  • The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable water management and infrastructure
  • The impact of plastic pollution on seabird populations and their nesting success
  • The impact of climate change on ocean acidification and its effects on marine ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
  • The impact of noise pollution on terrestrial carnivore populations and their communication
  • The impact of climate change on snow and ice dynamics in polar regions
  • The effectiveness of green tourism in promoting sustainable cultural heritage preservation
  • The impact of deforestation on riverine water quality and their effects on aquatic life
  • The impact of climate change on forest fires and their ecological effects
  • The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable home appliances and energy use
  • The impact of plastic pollution on marine invertebrate populations and their ecosystem roles
  • The impact of climate change on soil erosion and its effects on agricultural productivity
  • The effectiveness of green procurement in promoting sustainable construction materials and waste reduction
  • The impact of noise pollution on marine mammal populations and their behavior
  • The impact of climate change on ocean circulation and its effects on marine life
  • The effectiveness of green investment in promoting sustainable forest management
  • The impact of deforestation on medicinal plant populations and their traditional uses
  • The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and their carbon storage capacity
  • The effectiveness of green urban planning in promoting sustainable and resilient cities
  • The impact of plastic pollution on seabed ecosystems and their biodiversity
  • The effectiveness of green certification in promoting sustainable palm oil production
  • The impact of noise pollution on bird populations and their communication
  • The impact of climate change on freshwater quality and its effects on aquatic life
  • The effectiveness of green labeling in promoting sustainable food packaging and waste reduction
  • The impact of deforestation on streamflow and its effects on downstream

About the author

' src=

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Science Research Topics

300+ Science Research Topics

Chemistry Research Topics

300+ Chemistry Research Topics

Psychology Research Paper Topics

500+ Psychology Research Paper Topics

Biology Research Topics

350+ Biology Research Topics

Quantitative Research Topics

500+ Quantitative Research Titles and Topics

Business Research Topics

500+ Business Research Topics

Current Environmental Issues and Emerging Global Challenges in the 21st Century for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

  • December 2019

Athanasios - Valavanidis at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Abstract and Figures

Global renewable power production (2017) increased substantially in the last 10 years. Hydropower, bioenergy, geothermal, wind turbines and solar photovoltaics panels covered around 25% of the world's power demand.

Discover the world's research

  • 25+ million members
  • 160+ million publication pages
  • 2.3+ billion citations

Magdalena Kozera-Kowalska

  • Mashael Nasser Ayed Al-Dosari
  • Mohamed Sayed Abdellatif
  • L.M. Priyanka
  • I.N. Selamat

Rina Wahyuningsih

  • Dwi Listyorini

Ibrohim Ibrohim

  • Muhammad Arief Rizka
  • Hadi Gunawan Sakti
  • Elly Purwanti
  • Int J Environ Res Publ Health
  • Catalina Stoica
  • Laurentiu Razvan Dinu

Irina Lucaciu

  • Environ Dev Sustain

Sertif Demir

  • Adnan Guzel
  • Emma K. Nsafoah
  • Cindy Yaa Gyeniaw

Alhassan Sulemana

  • Kwame Ohene Buabeng

Rana Khayat

  • Dalal N Felemban
  • Tahani K Altowairqi

Mohammed Aljahdali

  • Adam Lampert
  • Marie Schellens

Johanna Gisladottir

  • Nat. Clim. Change.

Michalis Ioannis Vousdoukas

  • Evangelos Voukouvalas
  • EUR J POPUL
  • Hannes Weber
  • Jennifer Dabbs Sciubba
  • Colin Walker

Tim Jackson

  • Peter A. Victor
  • BIOTECHNOL ADV

Chen-Guang Liu

  • J CLEAN PROD

Maria Sandberg

  • Kristian Klockars
  • Kristoffer Wilén
  • Donald Rapp
  • Recruit researchers
  • Join for free
  • Login Email Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google Welcome back! Please log in. Email · Hint Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google No account? Sign up

StatAnalytica

Top 150 Environmental Science Research Topics

Environmental Science Research Topics

Hey there, fellow explorers of the environmental world. Ready to dive into the kingdom of Environmental Science? We’ve got an epic list of the Top 150 Environmental Science Research Topics waiting for you. 

From climate change mysteries to wildlife wonders, this treasure covers it all. Ever wondered about the impact of pollution on our oceans or how to protect endangered species? Curious about sustainable energy or the future of our planet’s forests? We’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re a student seeking inspiration for a killer research paper or just passionate about saving our planet, these topics are your launchpad into discovering, exploring, and understanding the world around us. Get ready to free your inner environmental scientist and make a difference one topic at a time.

Get tailored coursework solutions for academic success with our ! Expert writers, custom content, and on-time delivery unlock your academic potential with our professional services today.

Understanding The Concept Of Environmental Science

Table of Contents

Environmental science is a multidimensional field that examines relationships between human beings and the environment. It delves into understanding, protecting, and sustaining our planet’s health. Here’s a quick glance.

What is Environmental Science?

  • Interdisciplinary Study: Environmental science combines elements of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and social sciences to understand environmental issues comprehensively.
  • Study of Systems: It focuses on ecosystems, examining how various components interact and influence each other within the environment.

Key Components

  • Biodiversity: Understanding and conserving the variety of life forms on Earth.
  • Climate Change: Examining the impacts of human activities on the Earth’s climate system.
  • Pollution: Investigating the sources, effects, and mitigation strategies for air, water, and soil pollution.
  • Resource Management: Exploring sustainable practices for using and conserving natural resources.

Importance of Environmental Science

  • Critical Problem-Solving: Addresses pressing issues like habitat loss, water scarcity, and global warming.
  • Policy Formation: Provides scientific data to guide environmental policies and regulations.
  • Community Engagement: Educates and involves communities in environmental conservation efforts.

Careers in Environmental Science

  • Environmental Scientist: Conducts research to identify and solve environmental problems.
  • Conservation Biologist: Focuses on protecting and managing natural resources.
  • Environmental Engineer: Designs systems to address environmental challenges.

Future Challenges

  • Sustainable Development: It includes Balancing economic growth via environmental conservation.
  • Climate Resilience: Adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
  • Global Cooperation: Addressing environmental issues requires international collaboration.

Environmental science plays a pivotal role in shaping policies, technologies, and behaviors that contribute to a sustainable future. Understanding its significance empowers us to take proactive steps in preserving our planet for generations to come.

Updated 2024: Top 150 Environmental Science Research Topics

Now we are presenting an extensive collection of current and relevant subjects shaping the field. Covering climate change, biodiversity conservation, pollution, renewable energy, and much more, this curated list reflects the latest trends and pressing issues in environmental science. Dive into these topics to explore cutting edge research opportunities and contribute to the solutions that our planet urgently needs.

Top 10 Research Topics On Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

  • Coastal Protection Measures
  • Resilient Infrastructure Development
  • Sustainable Agriculture in Changing Climates
  • Community-Based Adaptation Initiatives
  • Water Resource Management Strategies
  • Urban Heat Island Mitigation
  • Forest Conservation and Restoration
  • Climate-Resilient Housing Solutions
  • Biodiversity Conservation for Adaptation
  • Renewable Energy Integration for Climate Resilience

Top 10 Research Topics On Biodiversity Conservation

  • Endangered Species Protection Programs
  • Habitat Restoration Initiatives
  • Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity
  • Conservation Genetics and Species Preservation
  • Sustainable Management of Ecosystems
  • Role of National Parks in Biodiversity Conservation
  • Community-Based Conservation Efforts
  • Biodiversity Hotspots and Priority Areas
  • Wildlife Corridors and Connectivity Conservation
  • Invasive Species Management Strategies

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Renewable Energy Sources

  • Solar Energy: Advancements and Applications
  • Wind Power: Harnessing Renewable Energy
  • Hydroelectricity: Sustainable Hydropower Technologies
  • Biomass Energy: Sustainable Fuel Sources
  • Geothermal Energy: Earth’s Renewable Heat Source
  • Tidal and Wave Energy: Harnessing Ocean Power
  • Biofuels: Sustainable Alternatives for Transportation
  • Solar Photovoltaic Technology: Efficiency and Innovation
  • Wind Turbine Technology: Evolution and Efficiency
  • Sustainable Energy Policies and Implementation

Top 10 Research Topics On Pollution Control And Mitigation

  • Air Pollution Control Strategies
  • Water Pollution Remediation Techniques
  • Soil Contamination Management
  • Industrial Pollution Prevention Methods
  • Waste Management and Recycling
  • Noise Pollution Reduction Measures
  • Emission Reduction in Transportation
  • Green Chemistry for Pollution Control
  • Urban Planning for Pollution Mitigation
  • Policy Frameworks for Pollution Control

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Sustainable Agriculture Practices

  • Organic Farming Techniques and Benefits
  • Agroforestry: Integrating Trees in Agriculture
  • Permaculture: Sustainable Farm Design
  • Soil Health Management in Agriculture
  • Precision Agriculture for Resource Efficiency
  • Crop Rotation and Diversification
  • Water-Efficient Irrigation Methods
  • Integrated Pest Management Strategies
  • Sustainable Livestock Farming Practices
  • Climate-Smart Agriculture Techniques

Top 10 Research Topics On Urban Environmental Management

  • Urban Green Spaces and Biodiversity
  • Waste Management in Urban Areas
  • Air Quality Monitoring and Improvement
  • Sustainable Urban Transportation
  • Urban Heat Island Mitigation Strategies
  • Stormwater Management in Cities
  • Noise Pollution Control Measures
  • Green Building and Sustainable Architecture
  • Community Engagement in Urban Sustainability
  • Urban Resilience and Adaptation Strategies

Top 10 Research Topics On Water Resource Management

  • Urban Water Conservation Strategies
  • Water Recycling and Reuse Methods
  • Sustainable Groundwater Management
  • Drought Management and Preparedness
  • Efficient Agricultural Water Use
  • River Basin Management and Restoration
  • Stormwater Management Techniques
  • Water Quality Monitoring and Protection
  • Community-Based Water Resource Management
  • Technology for Water Efficiency

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Air Quality Improvement

  • Urban Air Pollution Control Measures
  • Industrial Emission Reduction Strategies
  • Indoor Air Quality Management
  • Impact of Transportation on Air Quality
  • Green Technologies for Air Purification
  • Role of Vegetation in Air Quality Improvement
  • Clean Energy Transition and Air Quality
  • Air Quality Monitoring and Assessment
  • Public Health Interventions for Air Pollution
  • Policy Initiatives for Air Quality Enhancement

Top 10 Research Topics On Ecosystem Restoration

  • Wetland Restoration Strategies
  • Reforestation and Afforestation Programs
  • Coral Reef Rehabilitation Efforts
  • River and Stream Restoration Initiatives
  • Urban Green Spaces and Restoration
  • Degraded Land Restoration Techniques
  • Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration
  • Ecological Restoration in Mining Areas
  • Restoring Biodiversity in Disturbed Ecosystems
  • Restoring Indigenous Ecosystems and Habitats

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Environmental Policy And Governance

  • Climate Change Policies and Agreements
  • Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations
  • National and International Conservation Laws
  • Green Taxation and Incentive Programs
  • Sustainable Development Goals Implementation
  • Biodiversity Conservation Policies
  • Water Resource Management Policies
  • Waste Management Legislation
  • Air Quality Control and Regulations
  • Forest Protection and Governance

Top 10 Research Topics On Wildlife Conservation And Management

  • Wildlife Population Monitoring Techniques
  • Conservation Genetics for Endangered Species
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution
  • Wildlife Trafficking and Illegal Trade
  • Habitat Fragmentation and Conservation
  • Protected Area Management and Expansion
  • Wildlife Migration Patterns and Conservation
  • Conservation of Keystone Species
  • Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Programs
  • Wildlife Forensics and Crime Investigation

Top 10 Research Topics On Ocean And Coastal Studies

  • Coral Reef Conservation and Restoration
  • Marine Biodiversity Monitoring
  • Coastal Erosion and Management Strategies
  • Ocean Acidification Impacts and Mitigation
  • Marine Pollution: Causes and Solutions
  • Oceanography: Understanding Marine Systems
  • Sustainable Fisheries Management
  • Tsunami and Storm Surge Studies
  • Marine Protected Areas and Conservation
  • Seabed Mining Impacts and Regulations

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Environmental Health And Toxicology

  • Air Quality and Human Health
  • Water Contamination and Public Health
  • Pesticides and Human Exposure
  • Heavy Metals and Health Impacts
  • Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment
  • Occupational Health in Hazardous Environments
  • Environmental Carcinogens and Risks
  • Risk Assessment in Toxicology
  • Environmental Impact on Reproductive Health
  • Neurotoxicity of Environmental Pollutants

Top 10 Research Topics On Green Technology Innovations

  • Smart Grid Technology for Energy Efficiency
  • Energy-Efficient Building Designs
  • Electric Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation
  • Advanced Waste-to-Energy Technologies
  • Nanotechnology in Environmental Remediation
  • Green Chemistry : Sustainable Manufacturing
  • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
  • Vertical Farming and Urban Agriculture
  • AI and IoT in Environmental Monitoring
  • Biodegradable Materials and Packaging

Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

  • Coastal Zone Adaptation Measures
  • Agriculture Resilience to Climate Change
  • Water Resource Management under Climate Change
  • Infrastructure Adaptation for Extreme Weather
  • Forest and Biodiversity Resilience Strategies
  • Health Sector Adaptation to Changing Climates
  • Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Adaptation
  • Climate-Resilient Energy Infrastructure

And there you have it, folks, our ultimate list of 150 Environmental Science Research Topics. We’ve covered everything from climate change and biodiversity to pollution and renewable energy. But hey, this isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning of your eco-journey. Dive into these topics, explore what sparks your interest, and dig deep into making our planet a better place. Whether it’s studying ways to protect endangered species or finding innovative solutions for a greener tomorrow, there’s a topic here for everyone. So, grab your thinking cap, pick a topic, and let’s get cracking on saving the planet one research topic at a time.

Related Posts

best way to finance car

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

how to get fund for business

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

  • Publications
  • Our Methods
  • Short Reads
  • Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

  • Gen Z, Millennials Stand Out for Climate Change Activism, Social Media Engagement With Issue
  • 2. Climate, energy and environmental policy

Table of Contents

  • 1. Climate engagement and activism
  • 3. Local impact of climate change, environmental problems
  • Acknowledgments
  • Methodology
  • Appendix: Detailed charts and tables

A majority of Americans consider climate change a priority today so that future generations can have a sustainable planet, and this view is held across generations.

Looking to the future, the public is closely divided on what it will take to address climate change: While about half say it’s likely major lifestyle changes in the U.S. will be needed to deal with climate change impacts, almost as many say it’s more likely new developments in technology will address most of the problems cause by climate change.

On policy, majorities prioritize the use of renewable energy and back the expanded use of specific sources like wind and solar. Americans offer more support than opposition to a range of policies aimed at reducing the effects of climate change, including key climate-related aspects of President Joe Biden’s recent infrastructure proposal. Still, Americans do not back a complete break with carbon: A majority says oil and gas should still be part of the energy mix in the U.S., and about half oppose phasing out gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

Chart shows majority of Americans prioritize reducing the effects of climate change to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations

Overall, 64% of U.S. adults say reducing the effects of climate change needs to be “a top priority to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations, even if that means fewer resources for addressing other important problems today.” By contrast, 34% say that reducing the effects of climate change needs to be “a lower priority, with so many other important problems facing Americans today, even if that means more climate problems for future generations.”

There are stark partisan differences over this sentiment. Nearly nine-in-ten Democrats (87%) say efforts to reduce the effects of climate change need to be prioritized today to ensure a sustainable planet. By contrast, 61% of Republicans say that efforts to reduce the effects of climate change need to be a lower priority, with so many other important problems facing Americans today. (Democrats and Republicans include those who lean to each party.)

Chart shows looking ahead, Americans closely divided over whether lifestyle changes will be needed, or new technology can mitigate effects of climate change

Asked to look to the future 50 years from now, 51% of Americans say it’s more likely that major changes to everyday life in the U.S. will be needed to address the problems caused by global climate change. By contrast, 46% say it’s more likely that new technology will be able to address most of the problems caused by global climate change.

Most Democrats (69%) expect that in 50 years major lifestyle changes in the U.S. will be needed to address the problems caused by climate change. By contrast, among Republicans, two-thirds (66%) say it’s likelier that new technology will be able to address most climate change problems in the U.S. Among Republicans, this view is widely held (81%) among the majority who do not see climate change as an important personal concern; Republicans who express greater personal concern about climate change are more likely to say major changes to everyday life in the future will be needed to address problems caused by climate change.

Chart shows younger Republicans more likely than older to prioritize reducing effects of climate change now

Overall, majorities across generations believe that climate change should be a top priority today to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations. Generational divisions are more prominent among Republicans than Democrats, however.

Among Republicans, about half of Gen Zers (49%) and Millennials (48%) give top priority to reducing the effect of climate change today, even if that means fewer resources to deal with other important problems. By contrast, majorities of Gen X (61%) and Baby Boomer and older Republicans (71%) say reducing the effects of climate change needs to a lower priority today, given the other problems Americans are facing.

Generational differences among Democrats on this question are modest, with clear majorities giving priority to dealing with climate change today.

Majority of Americans prioritize developing alternative energy sources, but only a third would phase out all fossil fuels

Burning fossil fuels for electricity and in cars and trucks are among the primary sources of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Americans broadly favor increasing the use of renewable energy sources, but a majority reject the idea of phasing out fossil fuel energy sources completely. And Americans are about evenly divided on the idea of phasing out the production of new gasoline cars and trucks by 2035.

Chart shows most Democrats prioritize alternative energy development, Republicans are now divided

There are familiar partisan divisions over nearly every aspect of energy policy, particularly when it comes to fossil fuels. Political divides have widened over the past year as Republican support for alternative energy sources – including wind and solar power – has fallen while support for expanding offshore oil drilling, hydraulic fracturing and coal mining has ticked up.

Within both parties, Gen Zers and Millennials are more supportive of proposals to move away from fossil fuels than their older counterparts.

A majority of Americans (71%) continue to say that the U.S. should prioritize developing alternative energy, while a much smaller share (27%) prioritizes expanding the production of oil, coal and natural gas.

The share of Republicans who prioritize developing alternative energy sources over expanding the production of fossil fuels has fallen 18 percentage points in the past year. As a result, Republicans are now closely divided between these two energy priorities. Democrats remain near consensus levels in their support for prioritizing development of alternative energy levels.

Among Republicans, there are significant generational differences in support for increasing the development of renewable energy sources. Majorities of Gen Z (63%) and Millennial (62%) Republicans prioritize increased development of renewable sources, such as wind and solar. Smaller shares of Gen X Republicans (50%) and just 33% of Baby Boomer and older Republicans prioritize this approach over the expanding of fossil fuel development. For more details, including longer-term trends over time, see the Appendix .

Chart shows most Americans support expanding use of solar and wind power

Republicans and Democrats also differ over the best way to encourage reliance on renewable energy sources. Most Democrats (81%) continue to see a need for government regulations to increase reliance on renewable energy. On the other hand, two-thirds of Republicans (67%) say the private marketplace alone will be enough. See the Appendix for details.

In keeping with support for prioritizing the development of renewable energy, most Americans favor expanding solar panel farms (84%) and wind turbine farms (77%). By contrast, majorities oppose more coal mining (61%), more hydraulic fracturing (56%) and more offshore oil and gas drilling (55%).

Americans are divided over expanding nuclear power: 50% favor more nuclear power plants, while 47% are opposed.

Republican support for expanding solar power is down 11 points in the last year (from 84% to 73%), and support for wind power has fallen 13 points (from 75% to 62%). Democrats’ widely held support for increasing both energy sources remains largely unchanged.

In addition, there has been an increase since 2020 in the shares of Republicans who support expanding hydraulic fracturing of natural gas (up 10 points), offshore oil and gas drilling (up 6 points) and coal mining (up 6 points). See the Appendix for details.

Chart shows among Republicans, support for expanding use of fossil fuels sources is lower among Gen Z, Millennials

Even so, younger Republicans remain less likely than their older counterparts to support expanding fossil fuel sources, consistent with past Center surveys.

For instance, 79% of Baby Boomer and older Republicans support more offshore oil and gas drilling, while roughly half (48%) of Gen Z Republicans say the same (a difference of 31 points). There are similar divides over hydraulic fracturing, the primary extraction technique for natural gas (74% of Baby Boomer and older Republicans favor vs. 44% of Gen Z Republicans).

Nearly two-thirds of Americans support using a mix of fossil fuel and renewable energy sources, younger adults more inclined to phase out fossil fuels completely

While a large share of U.S. adults would prioritize alternative energy development over expanding the use of fossil fuels, most adults are not inclined to give up reliance on fossil fuels altogether.

Chart shows majority of Americans favor using a mix of fossil fuels and renewable sources

The survey finds 64% of Americans say they support ongoing use of oil, coal and natural gas as well as renewable energy sources, while a third (33%) say the country should phase out the use of fossil fuels completely.

There are sharp differences of opinion about this issue by party. Most Republicans (86%) say that the U.S. should rely on a mix of fossil fuel and renewable energy sources. Democrats are about evenly divided, with 47% in favor of using a mix of sources and 50% calling for a phase out of fossil fuels. About two-thirds of liberal Democrats (65%) support phasing out fossil fuels but fewer moderate and conservative Democrats say the same (39%).

There are also generational divisions on this issue, with younger generations more likely to support giving up fossil fuel use over time. In fact, majorities of Democratic Gen Zers (60%) and Millennials (57%) support phasing out fossil fuel use completely.

Americans are closely divided over phasing out gas-powered vehicles; Democrats, younger adults are more receptive to the idea

Chart shows Americans are closely divided over whether to phase out gas-powered cars

Climate advocates point to electric vehicles as a way to cut down on carbon emissions and reduce climate change. Americans are about equally divided on the idea of phasing out production of gasoline cars and trucks by 2035. A little under half (47%) say they would favor such a proposal, while 51% are opposed.

As with other proposals on climate and energy issues, partisans express opposing viewpoints. About two-thirds of Democrats (68%) support phasing out gasoline cars by 2035, while 76% of Republicans oppose this.

Most U.S. adults oppose oil drilling in ANWR but are more divided over Keystone XL decision

The issue of whether or not to allow oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has long been a controversy in energy policy. Overall, most Americans (70%) oppose the idea, while 27% are in favor.

Nearly all Democrats (89%) say they oppose allowing oil and gas drilling in the ANWR. Republicans are about evenly divided, with half in favor of allowing this and 48% opposed.

One of Biden’s  first actions as president  was revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline would have carried oil from Canada into the U.S.

About half of Americans (49%) say canceling the pipeline was the right decision, while 45% say it was the wrong decision.

Most Democrats (78%) say it was the right decision, while most Republicans (80%) say otherwise. See details in the  Appendix .

But there are also generational dynamics in views about gasoline-powered vehicles, with younger adults more supportive than older adults of phasing out gas cars and trucks. Narrow majorities of Gen Zers (56%) and Millennials (57%) support such a proposal, compared with 38% of Baby Boomer and older Americans. This pattern holds within both parties, though sizable partisan divides remain across all generations. See the Appendix for a look at how these generational and partisan divides compare across measures.

The public is broadly familiar with electric vehicles: About nine-in-ten have heard either a lot (30%) or a little (62%) about them. When it comes to first-hand experience, 7% of adults say they currently have an electric or hybrid vehicle; 93% say they do not.

People who say they have heard a lot about electric vehicles are closely divided over the idea of phasing out gas-powered cars and trucks by a margin of 52% in favor to 48% opposed. Not surprisingly, those who currently own an electric or hybrid vehicle are largely in favor of this idea (68% vs. 31% opposed).

Broad public support for a number of policies to address climate change, including some proposed in Biden infrastructure plan

In late March, the Biden administration announced a $2 trillion infrastructure plan with several elements they argue would help reduce the effects of climate change. The new Center survey finds majorities of Americans support a number of proposals to address global climate change, including three specific elements in Biden’s infrastructure plan.

There are sharp partisan divisions over many of these proposals, as expected. In addition, there are concerns, particularly among Democrats, that Biden’s policy proposals will not go far enough in efforts to reduce the effects of climate change.

Majorities of U.S. adults support a range of approaches to address climate change

The new Center survey finds majorities back three specific elements of Biden’s infrastructure plan. More than seven-in-ten Americans (74%) favor a proposed requirement for power companies to use more energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, to reduce carbon emissions. A smaller majority – 62% – favors federal spending to build a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the country in order to increase the use of electric cars and trucks.

Chart shows majorities support three specific proposals in Biden’s infrastructure plan; half think plan will help economy

And 63% of Americans support the idea of raising corporate taxes to pay for more energy efficient buildings and improved roads and bridges, a key funding mechanism in Biden’s infrastructure proposal.

Biden has closely tied his climate-focused infrastructure proposals with economic and job growth. Half of U.S. adults think that the Biden administration’s plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure in ways that are aimed at reducing the effects of climate change will help the economy. Three-in-ten think this will hurt the economy, and 18% say it will make no difference.

Chart shows majorities of Americans support proposals aimed at reducing the effects of climate change

Americans continue to broadly support a number of longer-standing proposals to reduce the effects of climate change. Nine-in-ten Americans favor planting additional trees to absorb carbon dioxide emissions. About eight-in-ten (81%) favor providing a tax credit for businesses that develop technology that can capture and store carbon emissions before they enter the atmosphere. Both of these ideas were part of a set of policies supported by congressional Republicans last year .

Large majorities of Americans also favor tougher restrictions on power plant carbon emissions (76%), taxing corporations based on the amount of carbon emissions they produce (70%) and tougher fuel-efficiency standards for automobiles and trucks (70%).

54% of Democrats think Biden administration’s climate policies will not go far enough

Three months into the Biden administration, there is no clear consensus over the administration’s approach on climate change. About four-in-ten Americans (41%) think the Biden administration’s policies to reduce the effects of climate change will not go far enough. Roughly three-in-ten (29%) think the Biden administration will go too far, and a similar share (28%) say the administration’s approach will be about right.

Chart shows a narrow majority of Democrats say Biden will not go far enough on climate

Republicans and Democrats have far different expectations for the Biden’s administration policies on climate change. A narrow majority of Democrats and those who lean to the Democratic Party (54%) –including 63% of liberal Democrats – think the administration’s policies will not go far enough to reduce the effects of climate change.

In contrast, six-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the Biden administration’s policies will go too far, including 74% of conservative Republicans.

There are some generational differences in views on this this issue among Republicans, in line with differences over the importance of addressing climate change. About as many Gen Z Republicans say Biden’s climate policies will not go far enough (35%) as say the policies will go too far (38%). By comparison, a 72% majority of Republicans in the Baby Boomer or older generations think the Biden administration will go too far on climate change.

Chart shows large majorities of Democrats and smaller shares of Republicans back range of climate proposals

When it comes to views about proposals aimed at reducing climate change, however, there are few differences of opinion across generations among either party. Yet large differences remain between Republicans and Democrats overall.

Democrats’ views about five proposals aimed at reducing the effects of climate change are uniformly positive. Roughly 85% to 95% of Democrats support each.

Republicans and Republican leaners are most supportive of proposals to absorb carbon emissions by planting large numbers of trees (88%), followed by a proposal to provide a corporate tax credit for carbon-capture technology (73%). A majority of the GOP (58%) favor tougher restrictions on carbon emissions from power plants. About half of Republicans favor taxing corporate carbon emissions (50%) or tougher fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks (49%).

There are no divisions within the GOP by generation across these issues, though ideological divides are often sharp. For example, 65% of moderate and liberal Republicans favor tougher fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks, compared with 40% of conservative Republicans.

Chart shows wide partisan divides over Biden’s infrastructure plans, and modest generational differences within GOP

Republicans and Democrats are also deeply divided over climate-focused proposals in the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan.

Large majorities of Democrats favor requiring power companies to use more energy from renewable sources (92%), raising corporate taxes to pay for energy efficient buildings and improved roads (84%) and building a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the country (82%).

About half of Republicans (52%) support requiring power companies to use more energy from renewable sources. There is less support for federal spending to build a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations (38%). An equal share of Republicans (38%) support the idea of raising taxes on corporations to pay for more energy efficient buildings and better roads, although more moderates and liberals in the GOP (59%) than conservatives (27%) support this idea.

There is comparatively more support for these proposals among younger Republicans, particularly for federal spending to build electric vehicle charging stations and requirements for power plants to use more renewable sources.

Republicans and Democrats at odds over economic impact of Biden’s infrastructure plan

Chart shows half of Americans think the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan will help the nation’s economy

Democrats are largely optimistic that the Biden administration’s plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure in ways aimed at reducing the effects of climate change will help the economy. About eight-in-ten Democrats (78%) say this.

Among Republicans, a majority (59%) thinks this proposed plan will hurt the economy, while only about two-in-ten (18%) say it will help. Conservative Republicans (71%) are especially inclined to say the climate-focused infrastructure proposal will hurt the economy.

Generational differences are largely modest but occur in both parties. Baby Boomer Republicans are the most pessimistic about the plan’s economic impact, while Boomer Democrats are the most optimistic that the plan will help the economy.

What are important considerations to Americans in climate proposals?

Chart shows most Americans place importance on protecting the environment for future generations

When it comes to proposals to reduce the effects of global climate change, protecting the environment for future generations and increasing jobs and economic growth are the top considerations Americans would like to see in policy proposals.

Asked to think about what is important to them in proposals to reduce the effects of climate change, 64% of the public says protecting the quality of the environment for future generations is a very important consideration to them personally; 28% say it’s somewhat important to them and just 6% say it’s not too or not at all important to them.

A majority (60%) also says that increasing job and economic growth is a very important consideration to them personally when it comes to proposals to reduce the effects of climate change.

About half (52%) say keeping consumer costs low is a very important consideration to them personally in climate proposals. Making sure proposals help lower-income communities is seen as a very important consideration by 45% of the public.

About a third (34%) say getting to net-zero carbon emissions as quickly as possible is a very important consideration to them personally. Joe Biden has set a goal for the U.S. to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Limiting the burden of regulations on businesses is seen as a very important climate policy consideration by 24% of the public – the lowest share who say this across the six items asked in the survey. However, majorities view all six factors, including limiting the regulatory burden on businesses, as at least somewhat important considerations in climate proposals.

Chart shows Republicans’ priorities in evaluating climate policy are on job growth, low consumer costs

Partisans have differing priorities when it comes to climate change proposals. Among Republicans, increasing job and economic growth (65% very important) and keeping consumer costs low (61%) are their top considerations. Among Democrats, protecting the quality of the environment for future generations is their clear top consideration (79% very important), followed by making sure proposals help lower-income communities (59%) and increasing job and economic growth (58%). About half of Democrats (51%) say getting to net-zero carbon emissions as quickly as possible is very important to them.

Public sees actions from businesses, ordinary Americans as insufficient on climate change

Americans see a range of actors as falling short in efforts to help reduce the effects of global climate change. The public is broadly critical of the lack of action from large businesses and the energy industry – but also views elected officials, as well as ordinary Americans, as failing to do their part.

Chart shows majorities say large businesses, energy industry and ordinary Americans are doing too little on climate

Nearly seven-in-ten adults (69%) say large businesses and corporations are doing too little to help reduce the effects of global climate change, while just 21% say they are doing about the right amount and very few (8%) say they are doing too much to address climate change. Similarly, a majority of the public (62%) says the energy industry is doing too little to help reduce the effects of global climate change.

The public also extends criticism on climate inaction to Americans themselves and the officials they vote into elected office. Overall, 66% say ordinary Americans are doing too little to help reduce the effects of climate change, and 60% say this about their state’s elected officials. A separate question that asks about the actions of the federal government across a range of environmental areas finds that 59% say the federal government is doing too little on climate change.

Americans are less critical of their own individual actions in helping to address climate change: Roughly half (48%) believe they, themselves, are doing about the right amount to help reduce the effects of climate change. Still, almost as many (47%) say they are doing too little to help.

When it comes to the role of environmental advocacy organizations, 48% say they are doing about the right amount to help reduce the effects of climate change, compared with 29% who say they are doing too little and 22% who say they are doing too much.

There are stark partisan differences in views of the role groups and individuals are playing to help reduce the effects of climate change. Large majorities of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say large businesses (85%), ordinary Americans (82%), the energy industry (80%) and their state elected officials (79%) are doing too little to help reduce climate change impacts. By contrast, about half of Republicans and Republican leaners or fewer say these actors are doing too little to address climate change. Republicans are much more likely to say most of these groups are doing about the right amount than to say they are doing too much to address climate change.

Chart shows younger Republicans more likely than older Republicans to say a range of groups are doing too little on climate change

Generational differences in views are most pronounced on this question within the GOP. In general, Gen Z and Millennial Republicans are more likely than older Republicans to say groups and individuals are doing too little to help reduce the effects of climate change. For instance, 57% of Gen Z and 59% of Millennial Republicans say large businesses are doing too little to help address climate change, compared with 50% of Gen X Republicans and 43% of Baby Boomer and older Republicans.

A 54% majority of U.S. adults see climate scientists’ role on policy as too limited, though some have doubts about scientists’ understanding

Chart shows a narrow majority of Americans say climate scientists have too little influence on climate policy debates

As the Biden administration, Congress and state and local governments debate how best to address climate change, 54% of Americans think climate scientists have too little influence on policy debates about climate change. Smaller shares say climate scientists have about the right amount (22%) or too much (22%) influence on climate policy.

At the same time, Americans appear to have reservations about climate scientists’ expertise and understanding. Only about two-in-ten Americans (18%) say climate scientists understand “very well” the best ways to address climate change. Another 42% say climate scientists understand ways to address climate change “fairly well”; 38% say they understand this not too or not at all well.

Public views of climate scientists’ understanding are more positive, if still generally skeptical, on the fundamentals of whether climate change is occurring (37% say scientists understand this very well) and what causes climate change (28%).

Americans’ overall views about climate scientists’ expertise and understanding of what is happening to the Earth’s climate are similar to 2016, the last time Pew Research Center asked these questions.

Chart shows among Republicans, younger generations more likely to say climate scientists have too little policy influence

In keeping with the wide political divisions over climate policy issues, Democrats are far more likely than Republicans to rate climate scientists’ understanding highly. And these partisan divides have widened since 2016. For example, Democrats are 43 percentage points more likely than Republicans to say climate scientists understand very well whether or not climate change is occurring. This gap was 25 points in 2016. See the Appendix for details.

Similarly, far larger shares of Democrats than Republicans believe climate scientists have too little say in climate debates (77% vs. 27%).

Younger generations are especially likely to think climate scientists have too little say on climate policy debates. However, these generational dynamics occur only within the GOP.

Millennial (38%) and Gen Z (41%) Republicans are more likely than Baby Boomers and older generations of Republicans (18%) to think climate scientists have too little influence on related policy debates. About half of older Republicans (53%) say climate scientists have too much influence in these debates.

Roughly three-quarters to eight-in-ten Democrats across younger and older generations think climate scientists have too little say in climate policy debates.

Majority of Americans continue to say federal government is doing too little to protect key aspects of the environment

Chart shows majority of Americans view stricter environmental laws as worth the cost

When it comes to environmental protection, a majority of Americans continue to see a role for stricter environmental regulations and majorities view the federal government as doing too little across most areas of environmental concern asked about in the survey, such as protecting air quality.

Gen Z and Millennials offer the broadest support for environmental regulations and for more government action to protect specific aspects of the environment.

Partisan gaps over government action to protect the environment remain very large and differences over the value of stricter environmental regulations have widened since last asked in September 2019 during the administration of Donald Trump.

There are generational and partisan differences over value of environmental regulations

Overall, 56% of Americans say that stricter environmental laws are worth the cost, compared with a smaller share (41%) who say they cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.

On balance Gen Z and Millennials are both much more likely to  stricter environmental laws as worth the cost than to say they cost too many jobs and hurt the economy (by 59% to 33% and 63% to 35%, respectively). Gen X and Boomer and older adults also see stricter environmental laws as worth the cost, though by narrower margins.

A large majority of Democrats (81%) believe that stricter environmental laws are worth the cost. By contrast, 71% of Republicans say they cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. Republicans have become much more likely to take a critical view of stricter environmental regulations since September 2019, when 55% said they hurt the economy and cost too many jobs. (For more details on this change over time, see the Appendix ).

Generational differences in views occur primarily within the GOP and not among Democrats. Among Republicans, Gen Z (35%) and Millennials (34%) are more likely than Baby Boomer and older adults (20%) to say stricter environmental laws are worth the cost, though larger shares across cohorts say these regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. Roughly eight-in-ten Democrats across generations say that stricter environmental laws are worth the cost.

Far more Americans say government is doing too little, rather than too much, on key areas of environmental protection

Chart shows majorities view federal government as doing too little in most areas of environmental protection

Consistent with Center surveys over the past few years, majorities of U.S. adults support more government action to address a range of environmental concerns, including air and water quality as well as climate change.

Overall, 63% say the federal government is doing too little to protect the water quality of lakes, rivers and streams. Majorities also say the government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change (59%), protect air quality (59%) and protect animals and their habitats (57%). About half (51%) say the federal government is doing too little to protect open lands in national parks and nature preserves. Across all five items, small shares of the public believe the government is doing too much to address any one of these environmental issues.

There are wide differences in views on these issues by political party, with Democrats much more likely than Republicans to think that government efforts in these areas are insufficient.

While still the predominant viewpoint, the shares of Democrats who say the government is doing too little across these five areas are 6 to 10 percentage points lower than they were in May of 2020, before Joe Biden took office. Republicans’ views on these questions have been largely steady, although the share of Republicans who believe the federal government is doing too little to address climate change is down 5 percentage points, from 35% in May 2020 to 30% today.

Partisan groups remain far apart when it comes to assessment of government action on climate change: 83% of Democrats and Democratic leaners think the government’s efforts are insufficient, vs. 30% of Republicans and GOP leaners, a difference of 53 percentage points. Conservative Republicans stand out on this from their fellow partisans with a moderate or liberal ideology: 19% say the federal government is doing too little to address climate change compared with 49% of moderate or liberal Republicans.

Chart shows Republicans and Democrats remain far apart over the need for more government action to protect key aspects of the environment

Gen Zers and Millennials are more likely than older Americans to say the government is doing too little to address specific areas of environmental concern, though these divides are driven primarily by differences by generation within the GOP.

Chart shows among Republicans, generational differences over government action in areas of environmental concern

About two-thirds of Gen Zers (66%) and Millennials (65%) say the federal government is doing too little to protect air quality, compared with 58% of Gen X and 52% of Baby Boomer and older adults.

Similarly, 68% of Gen Zers and 66% of Millennials say the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change versus 57% of Gen X and 52% of Baby Boomer and older adults.

Among Republicans, Gen Zers and Millennials are more likely than Baby Boomer and older adults to say the federal government is doing too little to address all five of these areas of environmental concern. Majorities of Democrats across generations say the government is doing too little to address these environmental issues.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Fresh data delivery Saturday mornings

Sign up for The Briefing

Weekly updates on the world of news & information

  • Baby Boomers
  • Climate, Energy & Environment
  • Generation X
  • Generation Z
  • Generations, Age & Politics
  • Millennials
  • Politics Online
  • Silent Generation
  • Social Media & the News

Majority of Americans support more nuclear power in the country

Americans’ extreme weather policy views and personal experiences, u.s. adults under 30 have different foreign policy priorities than older adults, about 3 in 10 americans would seriously consider buying an electric vehicle, how americans view national, local and personal energy choices, most popular, report materials.

  • American Trends Panel Wave 89

901 E St. NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20004 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 |  Media Inquiries

Research Topics

  • Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of  The Pew Charitable Trusts .

© 2024 Pew Research Center

OECD iLibrary logo

  • My Favorites

You have successfully logged in but...

... your login credentials do not authorize you to access this content in the selected format. Access to this content in this format requires a current subscription or a prior purchase. Please select the WEB or READ option instead (if available). Or consider purchasing the publication.

OECD Environment Policy Papers

  • ISSN: 23097841 (online)
  • https://doi.org/10.1787/23097841
  • Email this Page Email this Page
  • Subscribe to the RSS feed Subscribe to the RSS feed

1 - 20 of 45 results

Mark
No. 45 01 May 2023

PDF
No. 44 01 Jan 2023

PDF
No. 43 14 Jun 2024

PDF
No. 42 17 May 2024

PDF
No. 41 17 Apr 2024

PDF
No. 40 22 Jan 2024

PDF
No. 39 07 Dec 2023

PDF
No. 38 04 Dec 2023

PDF
No. 37 20 Sept 2023

PDF
No. 36 27 Apr 2023

PDF
No. 35 13 Apr 2023

PDF
No. 34 20 Dec 2022

PDF
No. 33 29 Sept 2022

PDF
No. 32 08 Sept 2022

PDF
No. 31 30 Aug 2022

PDF
No. 30 13 Jul 2022

PDF
No. 29 09 Feb 2022

PDF
No. 28 29 Jun 2021

PDF
No. 27 17 Jun 2021

PDF
No. 26 21 May 2021

PDF

Climate change and Plastics OECD 01 May 2023

  • Click to download PDF - 4.95MB PDF

Agendas on climate change mitigation and plastic pollution have largely developed independently. However, the two issues are closely linked. Most plastics are produced from fossil fuels. Jointly, the production, conversion and waste management of...

Financing a Future Free from Plastic Leakage OECD 01 Jan 2023

  • Click to download PDF - 2.51MB PDF

As plastic use becomes more pervasive, the environmental repercussions of plastic pollution are expected to become increasingly unsustainable. The global community is far from achieving its long-term objective of ending plastic pollution unless...

Taming wildfires in the context of climate change: The case of Greece OECD 14 Jun 2024

  • Click to download PDF - 3.07MB PDF

The frequency and severity of extreme wildfires are on the rise in Greece, causing unprecedented disruption and increasingly challenging the country’s capacity to contain losses and damages. These challenges are set to keep growing in the context of...

Demand-side policy measures for environmental sustainability OECD 17 May 2024

  • Click to download PDF - 4.75MB PDF

The consumption of products, services and transportation has significant environmental consequences and account for the majority of global greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, demand-side policy measures have the potential to reduce the environmental...

Extended Producer Responsibility OECD 17 Apr 2024

  • Click to download PDF - 1.00MB PDF

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that makes producers responsible for their products along the entire lifecycle, including at the post-consumer stage. This policy paper summarises the current consensus on the EPR policy...

Taming wildfires in the context of climate change: The case of the United States OECD 22 Jan 2024

  • Click to download PDF - 3.73MB PDF

The frequency and severity of extreme wildfires are on the rise in the United States, causing unprecedented disruption and increasingly challenging the country’s capacity to contain losses and damages. These challenges are set to keep growing in the...

Promoting nature-based solutions in municipalities in Hungary OECD 07 Dec 2023

  • Click to download PDF - 4.39MB PDF

Nature-based solutions (NbS) aim to maintain, enhance and restore ecosystems to address a variety of social, economic and environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss. This paper applies the OECD’s framework to provide...

Climate adaptation: Why local governments cannot do it alone OECD 04 Dec 2023

  • Click to download PDF - 5.31MB PDF

Given the direct impacts of climate change are felt first and foremost at the local level, many have called for climate adaptation to be a local responsibility. Indeed, local authorities have a major influence on climate change adaptation - such as...

Taming wildfires in the context of climate change: The case of Portugal OECD 20 Sept 2023

  • Click to download PDF - 3.42MB PDF

The frequency and severity of extreme wildfires are on the rise in Portugal, causing unprecedented disruption and increasingly challenging the country’s capacity to contain losses and damages. These challenges are set to keep growing in the context...

Assessing biodiversity-related financial risks OECD 27 Apr 2023

  • Click to download PDF - 8.39MB PDF

Although measurements of biodiversity-related financial risks are in their infancy, several metrics and indicators are available to assess their impacts and dependencies in the financial system, and approaches are emerging to translate biodiversity...

Adaptation measurement: Assessing municipal climate risks to inform adaptation policy in the Slovak Republic OECD 13 Apr 2023

  • Click to download PDF - 5.26MB PDF

Climate change presents a major social, economic and political challenge for the Slovak Republic. The majority of municipal administrations are unaware of the potential climate risks they face today and in the coming years. Identifying risks posed by...

Synergies and trade-offs in the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy Linda Livingstone, Peter Börkey, Rob Dellink and Frithjof Laubinger 20 Dec 2022

  • Click to download PDF - 1.63MB PDF

The world's raw materials consumption is expected to nearly double by 2060. This is particularly alarming because materials extraction, processing, use and waste management lead to significant environmental pressures. A circular economy aims to...

Supporting women’s empowerment through green policies and finance OECD 29 Sept 2022

  • Click to download PDF - 1.54MB PDF

It is increasingly recognised that women and girls tend to be disproportionately impacted by climate change and other environmental challenges, especially in developing countries. Yet, little research or policy action has focused on how gender...

Framework for industry’s net-zero transition OECD 08 Sept 2022

  • Click to download PDF - 6.49MB PDF

The manufacturing industry is a major source of global carbon dioxide emissions. Industrial production will continue to shift to emerging and developing economies. New investments are needed in low-carbon technologies to align industry’s growth with...

OECD blended finance guidance for clean energy OECD 30 Aug 2022

  • Click to download PDF - 4.35MB PDF

Meeting the Paris Agreement goals will need a rapid acceleration of finance towards clean energy investments in emerging and developing economies. Blended finance is an important tool that can help mobilise commercial investment towards clean energy,...

Closing the loop in the Slovak Republic OECD 13 Jul 2022

  • Click to download PDF - 14.51MB PDF

The use of materials globally has increased over the past century and it will continue to grow with sustained population and economic growth. Such growth also leads to increased environmental pressures, including climate change. While the Slovak...

Lessons learnt and good practice from APEC-economy fossil-fuel subsidy peer reviews OECD 09 Feb 2022

According to latest data from the OECD and the IEA, government support for the production and use of fossil fuels across 81 major economies totalled USD 351 billion in 2020, amounting to USD 183 billion across 50 OECD, G20, and Eastern Partnership...

De-risking institutional investment in green infrastructure OECD 29 Jun 2021

  • Click to download PDF - 1.31MB PDF

This policy paper catalogues tools and techniques used by public actors such as national development banks and green investment banks to mitigate project-level risks and attract private investment in infrastructure. The paper updates the dataset...

Towards a national strategic framework for the circular economy in the Czech Republic OECD 17 Jun 2021

  • Click to download PDF - 4.02MB PDF

The past decades have witnessed unprecedented growth in global consumption of raw materials, which also lead to increased environmental pressures. As a response to these challenges, countries across the world have made the transition to a circular...

Biodiversity, natural capital and the economy OECD 21 May 2021

  • Click to download PDF - 5.95MB PDF

Nature underpins all economic activities and human well-being. It is the world’s most important asset. Yet humanity is destroying biodiversity at an unprecedented rate, posing significant but often overlooked risks to the economy, the financial...

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

50 Best Environmental Science Research Topics

May 31, 2023

Environmental science is a varied discipline that encompasses a variety of subjects, including ecology, atmospheric science, and geology among others. Professionals within this field can pursue many occupations from lab technicians and agricultural engineers to park rangers and environmental lawyers. However, what unites these careers is their focus on how the natural world and the human world interact and impact the surrounding environment. There is also one other significant commonality among environmental science careers: virtually all of them either engage in or rely on research on environmental science topics to ensure their work is accurate and up to date.

In this post, we’ll outline some of the best environmental science research topics to help you explore disciplines within environmental science and kickstart your own research. If you are considering majoring in environmental science or perhaps just need help brainstorming for a research paper, this post will give you a broad sense of timely environmental science research topics.

What makes a research topic good?

Before we dive into specific environmental science research topics, let’s first cover the basics: what qualities make for a viable research topic. Research is the process of collecting information to make discoveries and reach new conclusions. We often think of research as something that occurs in academic or scientific settings. However, everyone engages in informal research in everyday life, from reading product reviews to investigating statistics for admitted students at prospective colleges . While we all conduct research in our day-to-day lives, formal academic research is necessary to advance discoveries and scholarly discourses. Therefore, in this setting, good research hinges on a topic in which there are unanswered questions or ongoing debates. In other words, meaningful research focuses on topics where you can say something new.

However, identifying an interesting research topic is only the first step in the research process. Research topics tend to be broad in scope. Strong research is dependent on developing a specific research question, meaning the query your project will seek to answer. While there are no comprehensive guidelines for research questions, most scholars agree that research questions should be:

1) Specific

Research questions need to clearly identify and define the focus of your research. Without sufficient detail, your research will likely be too broad or imprecise in focus to yield meaningful insights. For example, you might initially be interested in addressing this question: How should governments address the effects of climate change? While that is a worthwhile question to investigate, it’s not clear enough to facilitate meaningful research. What level of government is this question referring to? And what specific effects of global warming will this research focus on? You would need to revise this question to provide a clearer focus for your research. A revised version of this question might look like this: How can state government officials in Florida best mitigate the effects of sea-level rise?

 2) Narrow

Our interest in a given topic often starts quite broad. However, it is difficult to produce meaningful, thorough research on a broad topic. For that reason, it is important that research questions be narrow in scope, focusing on a specific issue or subtopic. For example, one of the more timely environmental science topics is renewable energy. A student who is just learning about this topic might wish to write a research paper on the following question: Which form of renewable energy is best? However, that would be a difficult question to answer in one paper given the various ways in which an energy source could be “best.” Instead, this student might narrow their focus, assessing renewable energy sources through a more specific lens: Which form of renewable energy is best for job creation?

 3) Complex

As we previously discussed, good research leads to new discoveries. These lines of inquiry typically require a complicated and open-ended research question. A question that can be answered with just a “yes” or “no” (or a quick Google search) is likely indicative of a topic in which additional research is unnecessary (i.e. there is no ongoing debate) or a topic that is not well defined. For example, the following question would likely be too simple for academic research: What is environmental justice? You can look up a definition of environmental justice online. You would need to ask a more complex question to sustain a meaningful research project. Instead, you might conduct research on the following query: Which environmental issue(s) disproportionately impact impoverished communities in the Pacific Northwest? This question is narrower and more specific, while also requiring more complex thought and analysis to answer.

4) Debatable

Again, strong research provides new answers and information, which means that they must be situated within topics or discourses where there is ongoing debate. If a research question can only lead to one natural conclusion, that may indicate that it has already been sufficiently addressed in prior research or that the question is leading. For example, Are invasive species bad? is not a very debatable question (the answer is in the term “invasive species”!). A paper that focused on this question would essentially define and provide examples of invasive species (i.e. information that is already well documented). Instead, a researcher might investigate the effects of a specific invasive species. For example: How have Burmese pythons impacted ecosystems in the Everglades, and what mitigation strategies are most effective to reduce Burmese python populations?

Therefore, research topics, including environmental science topics, are those about which there are ample questions yet to be definitively answered. Taking time to develop a thoughtful research question will provide the necessary focus and structure to facilitate meaningful research.

10 Great Environmental Science Research Topics (With Explanations!)

Now that we have a basic understanding of what qualities can make or break a research topic, we can return to our focus on environmental science topics. Although “great” research topics are somewhat subjective, we believe the following topics provide excellent foundations for research due to ongoing debates in these areas, as well as the urgency of the challenges they seek to address.

1) Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Although climate change is now a well-known concept , there is still much to be learned about how humans can best mitigate and adapt to its effects. Mitigation involves reducing the severity of climate change. However, there are a variety of ways mitigation can occur, from switching to electric vehicles to enforcing carbon taxes on corporations that produce the highest carbon emission levels. Many of these environmental science topics intersect with issues of public policy and economics, making them very nuanced and versatile.

In comparison, climate change adaptation considers how humans can adjust to life in an evolving climate where issues such as food insecurity, floods, droughts, and other severe weather events are more frequent. Research on climate change adaptation is particularly fascinating due to the various levels at which it occurs, from federal down to local governments, to help communities anticipate and adjust to the effects of climate change.

Both climate change mitigation and adaptation represent excellent environmental science research topics as there is still much to be learned to address this issue and its varied effects.

2) Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is another fairly mainstream topic in which there is much to learn and research. Although scientists have identified many forms of sustainable energy, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, questions remain about how to best implement these energy sources. How can politicians, world leaders, and communities advance renewable energy through public policy? What impact will renewable energy have on local and national economies? And how can we minimize the environmental impact of renewable energy technologies? While we have identified alternatives to fossil fuels, questions persist about the best way to utilize these technologies, making renewable energy one of the best environmental science topics to research.

3) Conservation

Conservation is a broad topic within environmental science, focusing on issues such as preserving environments and protecting endangered species. However, conservation efforts are more challenging than ever in the face of a growing world population and climate change. In fact, some scientists theorize that we are currently in the middle of a sixth mass extinction event. While these issues might seem dire, we need scientists to conduct research on conservation efforts for specific species, as well as entire ecosystems, to help combat these challenges and preserve the planet’s biodiversity.

4) Deforestation

The Save the Rainforest movement of the 1980s and 90s introduced many people to the issue of deforestation. Today, the problems associated with deforestation, such as reduced biodiversity and soil erosion, are fairly common knowledge. However, these challenges persist due, in part, to construction and agricultural development projects. While we know the effects of deforestation, it is more difficult to identify and implement feasible solutions. This is particularly true in developing countries where deforestation is often more prevalent due to political, environmental, and economic factors. Environmental science research can help reduce deforestation by identifying strategies to help countries sustainably manage their natural resources.

Environmental Science Topics (Continued)

5) urban ecology.

When we think of “the environment,” our brains often conjure up images of majestic mountain ranges and lush green forests. However, less “natural” environments also warrant study: this is where urban ecology comes in. Urban ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another and their environment in urban settings. Through urban ecology, researchers can address topics such as how greenspaces in cities can reduce air pollution, or how local governments can adopt more effective waste management practices. As one of the newer environmental science topics, urban ecology represents an exciting research area that can help humans live more sustainably.

6) Environmental Justice

While environmental issues such as climate change impact people on a global scale, not all communities are affected equally. For example, wealthy nations tend to contribute more to greenhouse-gas emissions. However, less developed nations are disproportionately bearing the brunt of climate change . Studies within the field of environmental justice seek to understand how issues such as race, national origin, and income impact the degree to which people experience hardships from environmental issues. Researchers in this field not only document these inequities, but also identify ways in which environmental justice can be achieved. As a result, their work helps communities have access to clean, safe environments in which they can thrive.

7) Water Management

Water is, of course, necessary for life, which is why water management is so important within environmental science research topics. Water management research ensures that water resources are appropriately identified and maintained to meet demand. However, climate change has heightened the need for water management research, due to the occurrence of more severe droughts and wildfires. As a result, water management research is necessary to ensure water is clean and accessible.

8) Pollution and Bioremediation

Another impact of the increase in human population and development is heightened air, water, and soil pollution. Environmental scientists study pollutants to understand how they work and where they originate. Through their research, they can identify solutions to help address pollution, such as bioremediation, which is the use of microorganisms to consume and break down pollutants. Collectively, research on pollution and bioremediation helps us restore environments so they are sufficient for human, animal, and plant life.

9) Disease Ecology

While environmental science topics impact the health of humans, we don’t always think of this discipline as intersecting with medicine. But, believe it or not, they can sometimes overlap! Disease ecology examines how ecological processes and interactions impact disease evolution. For example, malaria is a disease that is highly dependent on ecological variables, such as temperature and precipitation. Both of these factors can help or hinder the breeding of mosquitoes and, therefore, the transmission of malaria. The risk of infectious diseases is likely to increase due to climate change , making disease ecology an important research topic.

10) Ecosystems Ecology

If nothing else, the aforementioned topics and their related debates showcase just how interconnected the world is. None of us live in a vacuum: our environment affects us just as we affect it. That makes ecosystems ecology, which examines how ecosystems operate and interact, an evergreen research topic within environmental science.

40 More Environmental Science Research Topics

Still haven’t stumbled upon the right environmental science research topic? The following ideas may help spark some inspiration:

  • The effects of agricultural land use on biodiversity and ecosystems.
  • The impact of invasive plant species on ecosystems.
  • How wildfires and droughts shape ecosystems.
  • The role of fire ecology in addressing wildfire threats.
  • The impact of coral bleaching on biodiversity.
  • Ways to minimize the environmental impact of clean energies.
  • The effects of climate change on ocean currents and migration patterns of marine species.

Environmental Justice and Public Policy

  • Opportunities to equalize the benefits of greenspaces for impoverished and marginalized communities.
  • The impact of natural disasters on human migration patterns.
  • The role of national parks and nature reserves in human health.
  • How to address inequalities in the impact of air pollution.
  • How to prevent and address the looming climate refugee crisis.
  • Environmentally and economically sustainable alternatives to deforestation in less developed countries.
  • Effects of environmental policies and regulations on impoverished communities.
  • The role of pollutants in endocrine disruption.
  • The effects of climate change on the emergence of infectious diseases.

AP Environmental Science Research Topics (Continued)

Soil science.

  • Effects of climate change on soil erosion.
  • The role of land management in maintaining soil health.
  • Agricultural effects of salinization in coastal areas.
  • The effects of climate change on agriculture.

Urban Ecology

  • How road construction impacts biodiversity and ecosystems.
  • The effects of urbanization and city planning on water cycles.
  • Impacts of noise pollution on human health.
  • The role of city planning in reducing light pollution.

Pollution and Bioremediation

  • The role of bioremediation in removing “forever” chemicals from the environment.
  • Impacts of air pollution on maternal health.
  • How to improve plastic recycling processes.
  • Individual measures to reduce consumption and creation of microplastics.
  • Environmental impacts of and alternatives to fracking.

Environmental Law and Ethics

  • Ethical implications of human intervention in the preservation of endangered species.
  • The efficacy and impact of single-use plastic laws.
  • Effects of religious and cultural values in environmental beliefs.
  • The ethics of climate change policy for future generations.
  • Ethical implications of international environmental regulations for less developed countries.
  • The impact and efficacy of corporate carbon taxes.
  • Ethical and environmental implications of fast fashion.
  • The ethics and efficacy of green consumerism.
  • Impacts of the hospitality and travel industries on pollution and emissions.
  • The ethical implications of greenwashing in marketing.
  • Effects of “Right to Repair” laws on pollution.

Final Thoughts: Environmental Science Research Topics

Environmental science is a diverse and very important area of study that impacts all aspects of life on Earth. If you’ve found a topic you’d like to pursue, it’s time to hit the books (or online databases)! Begin reading broadly on your chosen topic so you can define a specific research question. If you’re unsure where to begin, contact a research librarian who can connect you with pertinent resources. As you familiarize yourself with the discourse surrounding your topic, consider what questions spring to mind. Those questions may represent gaps around which you can craft a research question.

Interested in conducting academic research? Check out the following resources for information on research opportunities and programs:

  • Research Opportunities for High School Students
  • Colleges with the Best Undergraduate Research Programs
  • College Success
  • High School Success

Emily Smith

Emily earned a BA in English and Communication Studies from UNC Chapel Hill and an MA in English from Wake Forest University. While at UNC and Wake Forest, she served as a tutor and graduate assistant in each school’s writing center, where she worked with undergraduate and graduate students from all academic backgrounds. She also worked as an editorial intern for the Wake Forest University Press as well as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English at WFU, and currently works as a writing center director in western North Carolina.

  • 2-Year Colleges
  • ADHD/LD/Autism/Executive Functioning
  • Application Strategies
  • Best Colleges by Major
  • Best Colleges by State
  • Big Picture
  • Career & Personality Assessment
  • College Essay
  • College Search/Knowledge
  • Costs & Financial Aid
  • Data Visualizations
  • Dental School Admissions
  • Extracurricular Activities
  • Graduate School Admissions
  • High Schools
  • Homeschool Resources
  • Law School Admissions
  • Medical School Admissions
  • Navigating the Admissions Process
  • Online Learning
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Private High School Spotlight
  • Research Programs
  • Summer Program Spotlight
  • Summer Programs
  • Teacher Tools
  • Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

Illustration

  • Research Paper Guides
  • Research Paper Topics

Environmental Research Topics: 235 Ideas for Students

  • Speech Topics
  • Basics of Essay Writing
  • Essay Topics
  • Other Essays
  • Main Academic Essays
  • Basics of Research Paper Writing
  • Miscellaneous
  • Chicago/ Turabian
  • Data & Statistics
  • Methodology
  • Admission Writing Tips
  • Admission Advice
  • Other Guides
  • Student Life
  • Studying Tips
  • Understanding Plagiarism
  • Academic Writing Tips
  • Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

Illustration

  • Essay Guides
  • Formatting Guides
  • Basics of Research Process
  • Admission Guides
  • Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Environmental Research Topics

Table of contents

Illustration

Use our free Readability checker

Are you looking for environmental research paper topics? With ongoing debates about global warming, air pollution, and other issues, there is no shortage of exciting topics to craft a research paper around. Whether you’re studying ecology, geology, or marine biology, developing the perfect environmental research topic to get your science research assignment off the ground can be challenging. Stop worrying – we got you covered. Continue reading to learn about 235 different ideas on environmental research topics. In this article, we will discuss environmental topics and show you how to choose an interesting research topic for your subject. We will also provide a list of various environmental topics from our research paper services . In addition, we will present you with environmental science research topics, discuss other ideas about the environment for research papers, and offer our final thoughts on these topics for research papers.

What Are Environmental Topics?

Environmental topics provide an analysis of environmental issues and their effect on people, culture, nature, or a particular place, often interdisciplinary, drawing from sciences, politics, economics, sociology, and public policy. Topics about environmental science may include environmental justice, engineering and communication, regulation, economics, and health. Environment research topics may focus on environmental sustainability, impact assessment, management systems, and resources. In addition, these areas for research papers offer a few opportunities to explore our relationship with the environment and consider how human activities influence it through climate change, pollution, or other factors such as natural resource usage as well as biodiversity loss.

What Makes a Good Environmental Research Topic? 

When choosing an environmental research topic, it is essential to consider what makes good environmental topics. Below is an expert list outlining what your topic should be like:

  • It should be interesting and relevant to your study field.
  • It's essential to consider the topic's potential implications on environment-related policies. Think about the possible positive or negative effects this topic could have when implemented in terms of protecting our environment.
  • A good topic should be specific enough to provide a focus for your research paper and allow you to explore a particular issue in depth.
  • The research topic should be feasible and manageable to ensure that you can find the necessary information and resources.
  • Environmental sciences research topics should be current and relevant to ecological developments.

How to Choose Environmental Science Topics?

When choosing research topics for environmental science, it is essential to research the available information and determine its relevance. It all depends on whether the research topic is feasible and has the potential for exploration. Environmental issue topics should be well-defined and interesting to the researcher. The reason is that the researcher should be able to provide solutions or make suggestions on improvement strategies. You can follow the below steps when choosing environmental science topics for research:

Step 1: Identify topics that are relevant to your research context. Step 2: Develop a list of research areas by extracting critical concepts from the available literature.

Step 3: Select interesting and feasible topics by considering the methods available for analysis.

Step 4: Analyze these topics to identify the gaps in current research and formulate questions for further investigation. Step 5: Review the available literature to gain insights about the chosen topic and develop a research proposal.

Step 6: Consult experts in this field to get feedback and refine the proposed research.

Don’t have time for writing your environmental research paper? Count on StudyCrumb. Send us a ‘ write a research paper for me ’ message and get professional assistance in a timely manner. 

List of Environment Research Paper Topics

Environmental topics for a research paper can be overwhelming to navigate due to the vast number of issues you can discuss in your article. To help narrow down your research paper search, below is a list of environmental research topics that include climate change, renewable energy, ecology, pollution, sustainability, endangered species, ecosystems, nature, and water management. You can choose one of them as a guide to writing an excellent essay

Environmental Research Topics on Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues that humanity is currently facing due to increased temperature levels. Climate change is amongst the most debated environmental research topics among researchers, policymakers, and governments. Here are critical areas related to climate change that you can use for your environmental science research paper topics:

  • Causes and effects of climate change.
  • Climate change adaptation strategies.
  • Climate change impact on rural communities.
  • Role of renewable energy sources in mitigating climate change.
  • Carbon dioxide emission policies.
  • Global warming and its impact on ocean acidification.
  • Social effects of climate change.
  • Permafrost melting and its implications.
  • Role of international organizations in climate change.
  • Climate change and forest fire: examining the role of climate change on wildfire season, frequency, and burned area.

Environmental Science Research Topics on Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is essential due to its potential to reduce ecological damage from burning fossil fuels and provides valuable topics in environmental science. You can use renewable energy technologies as a cleaner alternative for generating electricity and heating. In addition, renewable energy is crucial for cooling homes and factories in the world. The following are environmental science topics for research paper on renewable energy:

  • Renewable energy types, sources, and their impact on the environment.
  • Economic benefits of renewable energy.
  • Research on new technologies in renewable energy.
  • Role of renewable energy in protecting businesses from legal actions.
  • Hydropower and its role in renewable energy.
  • Chemical batteries for renewable energy storage.
  • Green microgrids in optimizing renewable energy usage.
  • Ocean energy and its effects on the environment.
  • Geothermal drilling and its consequences.
  • Biomass resources and their use in renewable energy.

Environment Research Topics on Ecology

Ecology studies how living organisms interact with each other and their environment. Also, it is an important area of research for understanding how the environment affects the function of various species and ecosystems. It also gives a background for one of the best environment research paper topics. Below are topics for environmental research paper on ecology:

  • Biodiversity conservation strategies.
  • Impact of pollution on ecosystems.
  • Ecological research on saving endangered species from extinction.
  • Role of environment in migrations patterns of animals.
  • Habitat fragmentation effects on the environment.
  • Ecological implications of climate change.
  • Ecology and pest control strategies.
  • Ecological effects of deforestation.
  • Ecology and conservation of marine life.
  • Ecological consequences of urbanization.

Research Topics in Environmental Science About Pollution

Pollution is an issue at the forefront of scientific research. As one of the environmental science paper topics, it offers insights into how pollution destroys the environment and its negative impact on human and animal health. Stated below are hot environmental science research topics on pollution which you can use for your article:

  • Air pollution: causes & effects.
  • Water pollution and its consequences for people and other living organisms.
  • Issue of urban & industrial pollution.
  • Noise pollution and environment-related health risks.
  • Marine plastic pollution in oceans.
  • Radiological waste disposal policies.
  • Nuclear energy, radiation & health impacts.
  • Sustainable waste management solutions.
  • Impact of pollution on biodiversity.
  • Soil pollution and its effects on agriculture.

Environmental Topics for Research Papers on Sustainability

One of the many topics for environmental research papers is sustainability. Sustainability is an important topic to explore, as it involves finding a way for humans to reduce their ecological footprint and ensure that the environment can recover from our activities. Stated below are environmental topics for research paper on sustainability which you can explore:

  • Strategies for sustainable development.
  • Renewable energy sources and their effects.
  • Environmental sustainability and its economic benefits.
  • Sustainable energy sources and their effects.
  • Implications of sustainable agriculture on the environment.
  • Ecological impacts of sustainable forestry.
  • Social implications of renewable energy use.
  • Strategies for mitigating ecological impact from unsustainable development.
  • Psychological effects of ecological awareness on sustainable practices.
  • Influence of ecological sustainability on economic growth.

Environmental Topics to Write About Endangered Species

Endangered species are one of the environmental topics of great importance to research and find solutions for their conservation. Poaching, habitat destruction, and climate change negatively impact endangered species. Also, human activities have put other species at risk of extinction by competing for resources as well as introducing invasive species. Below is a list of cool environment topics to write about endangered species:

  • Endangered species conservation.
  • Causes & effects of habitat fragmentation.
  • Wildlife conservation strategies.
  • Climate change impacts on endangered species.
  • Illegal wildlife trade and trafficking.
  • Marine protected areas for conserving marine life.
  • Ecological restoration and reintroduction programs.
  • Endangered species in developing nations.
  • Human rights & animal welfare laws .
  • Captive breeding for conservation purposes.

Environmental Research Paper Topics on Ecosystems

Ecosystems are fascinating to explore in environmental paper topics because they contain a variety of living organisms and are a complex web of interactions between species, the environment, and humans. The subject provides environmental issues topics for research paper essential in exploring the dynamics of ecosystems and their importance. Below is a list of topics for environmental science research paper:

  • Ecosystem services & their value.
  • Climate change impacts on ecosystems.
  • Hydrological cycle & effects on ecosystems.
  • Ecological restoration & biodiversity conservation.
  • Invasive species & their impact on native species.
  • Biodiversity hotspots: areas of high endemism.
  • Soil degradation & its impact on ecosystems.
  • Sustainable forestry practices.
  • Ecological restoration of wetlands.

Environmental Topics About Nature

Nature is a broad topic that includes ecological conservation, protection, and sustainability issues. Environmental research topics about nature allow us to explore areas that focus on preserving and conserving the environment. Research papers about nature can provide insight into utilizing nature as a resource, both from a practical and ecological aspect. Below is a list of environment topics that you can explore in your essays:

  • Nature conservation & preservation strategies.
  • Climate change effects on natural environments.
  • Natural resource management strategies.
  • Policies for natural resources management.
  • Impact of human development on wildlands.
  • Sustainable use of natural resources.
  • Role of ethics in nature conservation.
  • De-extinction: pros & cons of bringing back extinct species.
  • Protected areas & conservation of rare species.

Environmental Issues Topics on Water Management

Water management is an issue that has a significant impact on the environment. Exploring a topic related to water management can provide experts, among others, with insights into environmental science issues and their implications. When it's time to write your project related to water management, you can explore the following topics for environmental issues:

  • Water pollution & its control.
  • Groundwater management strategies.
  • Climate change impact on water resources.
  • Integrated water resources management.
  • Wetland conservation & restoration projects.
  • Industrial effluents role in water pollution.
  • Desalination technologies for freshwater production.
  • Urbanization impact on groundwater resources.
  • Inland & coastal water management strategies.
  • Wastewater treatment & reuse technologies.

Environmental Science Topics in Different Areas

Environmental science studies ecological processes and their interactions with living organisms. Exploring environmental science related topics can provide valuable insights into environmental science issues, their ecological implications, and conservation efforts. In addition, these topics can also be explored in different areas, providing a comprehensive understanding of how different factors impact the environment. This section delves into various environmental science topics for projects related to law, justice, policy, economics, biology, chemistry, and health science.

Environmental Law Research Topics

Environmental law governs environmental processes and their interactions with living organisms. Delving into environmental law can uncover invaluable information on environment paper topics, ranging from legal matters and their consequences to preservation initiatives. Students can use the following environmental issue topics for research papers for their essays:

  • Climate change liability & lawsuits.
  • Strategies for conservation and protection under environmental law.
  • Consequences of non-compliance with regulations on the environment.
  • Impact of trade agreements on environment protection.
  • Regulatory strategies for hazardous waste disposal.
  • Strategies for enforcement and compliance with environment-related laws.
  • International environment treaties and their implications.
  • Effects of climate change legislation on the environment.
  • Corporate environmental policies and regulations and their effects.
  • Role of law in mitigating environment-related issues.

Environmental Justice Research Topics

Environmental justice seeks to ensure equitable treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in ecological protection, regardless of their race, sex, or economic status. Environment topics related to justice can provide valuable insights into ecological issues and their impacts. Listed below are justice-related Environmental topics to research:

  • Implications of unequal access to resources.
  • Disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
  • Consequences of marginalization of marginalized communities from environmental processes.
  • Links between poverty and environment degradation.
  • Effects of non-participation in environment-related decision-making.
  • Policies to ensure access to clean air and water.
  • Impact of social inequality on environment protection.
  • Intersection between gender, race, and environment justice.
  • Ecological consequences of corporate negligence of marginalized communities.
  • Disproportionate implications of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Environmental Policy Research Paper Topics

Environmental policy is a set of laws, rules, and regulations created to protect the environment as well as its resources. Studying environment-related policies provides an area for students to explore a range of subjects related to the environment, ranging from local to global. Below are potential environmental sciences research topics for your reference.

  • Environmental policy initiatives' implications on global climate change.
  • Effectiveness of carbon taxes for air pollution control.
  • Land use and development impact on the environment.
  • Water quality in the united states, focusing on natural resource governance.
  • Educational initiative's impact on public opinion and policy outcomes.
  • Social aspects of policy making and implementation on the environment.
  • Promoting sustainability from a global perspective.
  • Potential for justice initiatives in promoting equitable and effective management.
  • Rise of green economy its impact.
  • Environment policies and their potential for success.

Environmental Economics Research Topics

Environmental economics seeks to understand environmental issues from an economic perspective. Examining environmental studies topics can offer insights into ecological conservation and sustainability while connecting protection efforts with economic interests and helping inform policies. The following are creative topics about environmental science related to economics:

  • Economic impacts of regulating the environment.
  • Strategies for environmentally sustainable economic growth.
  • Consequences of non-compliance with environment-related regulations.
  • Environment conservation and protection using economic incentives.
  • Taxes and subsidies and their implications on the environment.
  • Economic implications of climate change legislation.
  • The private sector role in environment conservation and protection.
  • Green finance role in mitigating ecological issues.
  • Economics of pollution control and management.
  • Conservation and protection of the environment in the face of economic interests.

>> Learn more: Economics Research Topics

Environmental Biology Research Topics

Environmental biology is a field of science that focuses on understanding the interactions between living organisms and their environment. It covers environmental biology topics such as biodiversity, conservation, pollution, management, health, and sustainability. The following are environment research paper topics related to biology:

  • Biodiversity conservation in managing the environment.
  • Role of biotechnology in reducing air pollution.
  • Environment degradation and its consequences on wildlife.
  • Role of microorganisms in maintaining soil fertility.
  • Ecological consequences of over-exploitation of natural resources.
  • Habitat fragmentation and its role in species conservation.
  • Education's role in environment conservation.
  • Environment degradation and its effects on food security.
  • Invasive species and their impacts on ecosystem.

Keep in mind that we have a whole blog on biological topics if you need more ideas in this field.

Environmental Chemistry Research Topics

Environmental chemistry research is a complex interdisciplinary field aiming to understand the behavior of a chemical process within an environment. It involves researching the impact of pollutants in the air, soil, water, and other ecological media. Possible research topics about the environment related to this field include:

  • Effect of agricultural chemicals on water systems.
  • Air pollution control strategies and their effectiveness.
  • Climate change impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
  • Sources and implications of persistent organic pollutants.
  • Air quality monitoring for urban areas.
  • Water quality monitoring in coastal areas.
  • Characterization and fate of toxic compounds in soil and groundwater.
  • Impact of hazardous chemical waste on the environment.
  • Monitoring and remediation of contaminated sites.
  • The roles of environmental chemistry in climate change research.

Need more ideas? There is one more blog with  chemistry research topics  on our platform.

Environmental Health Science Research Topics

Environmental health is a diverse field focusing on the natural environment as well as its effects on human health. It is an interdisciplinary field that offers environment topics for research, such as environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and ecology, in addition to risk assessment. Provided below is a list of topics for an environmental science project that is suitable for your research paper:

  • Air pollution effects on human health.
  • Climate change effects on health.
  • Water pollution and public health.
  • Noise pollution effects on well-being.
  • Mental health effects of environment-related toxins.
  • Human health effects of natural disasters.
  • Urbanization's effect on human health.
  • Sustainable development and public health.
  • Role of social media in promoting environmental health and awareness.
  • Biodiversity preservation and its impact on human health.

Other Ideas & Topics About Environment for Research Papers

Ecological crisis is a key issue that has continuously affected planet earth. People are becoming more aware of environmental problems as well as their impact on health, well-being, and quality of life. As such, ecological fields for research are becoming ever more critical. This section will explore interesting environmental topics related to current ecological issues, controversial, interesting topics, easy research questions for projects, as well as unique research areas which students might study. These environmental issue project ideas below will help you develop interesting fields for research papers.

Current Issues in Environmental Science

Current ecological issues are a hot topic that has become increasingly important. They provide outstanding environmental issues to write about due to their impact on the environment and human health. The following are environmental issue topics for paper writing that are currently in discussion:

  • Global warming and how to prevent its impact.
  • Sustainable energy and its role in protecting the environment.
  • Water conservation practices.
  • Renewable energy role in global ecological protection.
  • Carbon footprint and climate change.
  • Ozone layer depletion and its effects on human health.
  • Plastic pollution and its impact.
  • Land degradation and soil erosion.
  • Energy industry activities effects on ecological health.
  • Air pollution and its impact on human health.
  • Deforestation and its consequences.
  • Effect of agricultural practices on ecological health.
  • Overuse and exploitation of natural resources.
  • Industrial waste impact on health.
  • Green technology role in ecological protection.

Controversial Environmental Topics for Research Paper

Environmental controversies constitute a significant challenge facing society today. From climate change to air and water pollution, the effects of human activity on our natural environment are increasingly becoming a focus of public debate and research. Research papers on environmental controversial topics can help inform the public as well as policymakers about the potential impacts of human activities on the environment. The following are examples of environmental controversy topics for research paper:

  • Climate change: is human activity a primary cause of global warming.
  • Deforestation: are current logging practices sustainable in the long term.
  • Air pollution: what are the health impacts of air pollution.
  • Water pollution: how is water pollution impacting biodiversity and ecosystems.
  • Geothermal energy: what potential impacts does geothermal energy extraction have on the environment.
  • Renewable energy: are wind and solar energy carbon-neutral.
  • Arctic drilling: is drilling for oil in the arctic ocean a viable option given current climate conditions.
  • Nuclear power: what health risks are associated with nuclear power plants.
  • Biodiversity loss: what steps can you take to protect biodiversity from human activities.
  • Endangered species: how protecting endangered species can impact conservation efforts and how they live.
  • GMO foods: are genetically modified organisms safe for human consumption? how does GMO food affect humans.
  • Pesticides: how does pesticide use affect our health and the environment.
  • Ocean acidification: how is ocean acidification impacting marine ecosystems.
  • Waste management: what are the most effective ways to manage waste and reduce pollution.
  • Resource exploitation: how does the exploitation of natural resources impact local communities.

Interesting Environmental Research Topics

In the context of environmental subjects, research topics explore the effects of human activities on the environment as well as the potential solutions to the identified problems. In addition to providing insight into ecological protection and conservation, research areas in this category cover social issues related to environmentalism and ecological justice. Below are interesting environmental science topics to consider when looking for a research topic in the future:

  • Effects of environment-related toxins on human health.
  • Climate change effects on coastal habitats.
  • Agricultural activities impacts on the environment.
  • Groundwater contamination and its effects on water quality.
  • Pollution from factories and its impact on the environment.
  • Waste management strategies and their impacts.
  • Consequences of water contamination on local wildlife.
  • Impacts of mining.
  • Deforestation effects on ecosystems and species diversity.
  • Industrial fishing practices effects.
  • Sustainable forestry practices and their impact on ecosystems.
  • Nuclear energy production and its consequences.
  • Reducing emissions from vehicles and their effects on air quality.
  • Landfills implications on the environment.
  • Implications of plastic pollution.

Easy Environmental Research Questions for Projects

When it comes to environmental science topics for project work, there are plenty of easy options. Research projects in this category can explore ecological issues as well as their consequences or potential solutions to these problems. The following is a list of the top fifteen most accessible environment project topics for your research project.

  • Air pollution levels impact on urban areas.
  • Agricultural practices effects on the environment.
  • Developing strategies for sustainable development.
  • Causes of water contamination.
  • Factors contributing to global warming.
  • Natural disasters effects on the environment.
  • Land use changes effects on the environment.
  • Energy consumption impacts on the environment.
  • Climate change effects on the environment.
  • Industrialization and its consequences.
  • Impact of plastic pollution.
  • Health risks associated with air pollution.
  • Deforestation impacts on the environment.
  • Soil erosion and its effects on the environment.
  • Causes and consequences of species extinction.

Unique Environmental Research Topics for Students

As environmental issues become increasingly complex, research fields for students become more varied. Unique environmental research topics for college students can range from local ecological concerns to global ones. The following are fifteen unique environmental science research topics for high school students and college students:

  • Climate change impact on water quality.
  • Acid rain and its effects.
  • Urbanization's effect on biodiversity.
  • Effects of offshore drilling.
  • Ocean acidification and its impact.
  • Impact of privatization on natural resources.
  • Effectiveness of renewable energy sources.
  • Relationship between energy consumption and the environment.
  • Potential impacts regarding genetic engineering on biodiversity.
  • Toxic waste disposal and its impacts.
  • Environment-related policies impact on water quality.
  • Deforestation and its effects on soil quality.
  • Causes and consequences of ozone layer depletion.
  • Relationship between pollution and public health issues.

Final Thoughts on Environmental Topics for Research Papers

This article has provided 235 environmental science research topics for research papers as well as project work that high school and college students can use. Topics range from local issues, such as assessing air pollution levels in an urban area, to global concerns, like examining the ecological effects of plastic pollution. Whether its health risks are associated with air pollution in an environment or the impacts of industrialization, research can help shape your understanding of how to protect as well as preserve our planet. It is up to the students to identify good environmental research topics that are interesting and relevant to them and to delve deeper to understand the earth better.

Illustration

Get in touch with our academic writing service and receive expert help. Let us know your topic, pay for research paper and get an excellent result in no time.

Joe_Eckel_1_ab59a03630.jpg

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

You may also like

Social Work Research Topics

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts .

Environmental Topics

Epa environmental topics.

EPA's environmental topics guides you to the most popular pages in your topic of interest.

Find EPA Articles and News Releases related to popular topics.

Search the  A-Z Topic Index  for specific terms.

  • عربى  
  • Kreyòl ayisyen

Air Category (image of sky and clouds)

  • Criteria (NAAQS) Air Pollutants
  • Particulate Matter (PM)
  • Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Chemicals and Toxics Category

Chemicals, Pesticides, and Toxics

  • Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
  • Formaldehyde
  • Managing Chemical Risks
  • Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Chemicals, Pesticides, and Toxics Topics

Location (image of pins on map)

Environmental Information by Location

  • Cleanups in My Community
  • Environmental Justice in Your Community
  • Radon Zones: Maps and Supporting Documents by State
  • Toxic Chemical Releases

More Location-Specific Info

Greener Living Category (image of wind farm)

Greener Living

  • Energy and the Environment
  • Greener Products and Services
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Sustainability 

Greener Living Topics

Health Category (image of stay safe words)

  • Children's Health Protection  
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Endocrine Disruption
  • Human Health Risk Assessment
  • Pesticides and Food: Healthy, Sensible Food Practices

Health Topics

Land Waste and Cleanup Category

Land, Waste, and Cleanup

  • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
  • Learn About Hazardous Waste

Land, Waste, and Cleanup Topics

Science Category

  • Citizen Science for Environmental Protection
  • Climate Change Indicators
  • Environmental Measurements and Modeling
  • EPA Science Models and Research Tools (SMaRT) Search
  • Research at EPA
  • Research Grants

More Science Topics

Water

  • Drinking Water Basics
  • Lakes and Rivers
  • Local Water Quality Reports
  • National Aquatic Resource Surveys 
  • Wastewater Treatment

Water Topics

environmental policy research paper topics

More Environmental Topics

  • Climate Change
  • Children's Health
  • Environmental Justice
  • ​ Pesticides

EPA Articles and News Releases

Recent EPA Perspectives Articles:

Cape Rēinga in New Zealand

Why Stories Matter

Years spent observing various cultures threaded through multiple languages gave me my biggest gift; I can absorb a person’s voice into my pen and onto their paper.

  • Date: July 24, 2024
  • By: Sukayna Al-Aaraji

Smoke plumes over Missoula, MT

EPA's Research Efforts to Protect Public and Environmental Health from Wildland Fire Smoke

Stay informed, stay prepared, and we can mitigate the effects and challenges of wildland fire smoke together.

  • Date: July 22, 2024
  • By: Jason Sacks, Sarah Coefield

EPA staff at a nature center, around a table

Activating the Building Blocks of Sustainability

One thing I’ve learned through my work with local communities is that they love celebrating what makes them unique. I love learning what they are most proud of and helping them turn their greatest assets into actions that matter for their community.

  • Date: July 1, 2024
  • By: Chip Gurkin

Recent EPA News Releases:

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $7.5 billion in Available Financing for Water Infrastructure Projects

EPA News Release: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $7.5 billion in Available Financing for Water Infrastructure Projects

  • Release Date: September 6, 2024

EPA Issues Enforcement Alert to Address Illegal Import of Hydrofluorocarbons into the United States

EPA increasing civil and criminal enforcement efforts due to the global phasedown of HFCs, a climate super pollutant

EPA News Release: EPA Issues Enforcement Alert to Address Illegal Import of Hydrofluorocarbons into the United States

EPA Proposes Settlement to Provide $151 Million for Cleanup of Raritan Bay Slag Superfund Site and to Resolve Natural Resource Damage Claims

EPA News Release: EPA Proposes Settlement to Provide $151 Million for Cleanup of Raritan Bay Slag Superfund Site and to Resolve Natural Resource Damage Claims

  • Release Date: September 5, 2024

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $30 Million to Tribes within Arizona to Cut Climate Pollution, Accelerate Clean Energy Transition

Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, EPA announces 34 selected Tribal and territory applications through the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program

EPA News Release: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $30 Million to Tribes within Arizona to Cut Climate Pollution, Accelerate Clean Energy Transition

Information

  • Author Services

Initiatives

You are accessing a machine-readable page. In order to be human-readable, please install an RSS reader.

All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess .

Feature papers represent the most advanced research with significant potential for high impact in the field. A Feature Paper should be a substantial original Article that involves several techniques or approaches, provides an outlook for future research directions and describes possible research applications.

Feature papers are submitted upon individual invitation or recommendation by the scientific editors and must receive positive feedback from the reviewers.

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

Original Submission Date Received: .

  • Active Journals
  • Find a Journal
  • Proceedings Series
  • For Authors
  • For Reviewers
  • For Editors
  • For Librarians
  • For Publishers
  • For Societies
  • For Conference Organizers
  • Open Access Policy
  • Institutional Open Access Program
  • Special Issues Guidelines
  • Editorial Process
  • Research and Publication Ethics
  • Article Processing Charges
  • Testimonials
  • Preprints.org
  • SciProfiles
  • Encyclopedia

energies-logo

Article Menu

environmental policy research paper topics

  • Subscribe SciFeed
  • Recommended Articles
  • Google Scholar
  • on Google Scholar
  • Table of Contents

Find support for a specific problem in the support section of our website.

Please let us know what you think of our products and services.

Visit our dedicated information section to learn more about MDPI.

JSmol Viewer

Positive energy districts: fundamentals, assessment methodologies, modeling and research gaps.

environmental policy research paper topics

1. Introduction

State of the art on positive energy districts, 2. methodology.

  • Setting: a café-like environment with small, round tables, tablecloths, colored pens, sticky notes and any interaction tool available.
  • Welcome and Introduction: the host offers a welcome, introduces the World Café process, and sets the context.
  • Small-Group Rounds: three or more twenty-minute rounds of conversations occur in small groups. Participants switch tables after each round, with one person optionally remaining as the “table host” to brief newcomers.
  • Questions: each round starts with a context-specific question. Questions may remain constant or be built upon each other to guide the discussion.
  • Harvest: participants share their discussion insights with the larger group, often visually represented through graphic recording.
  • Objectives of the workshop and preparation. The first step of the World Café approach is to identify the main objectives. For this workshop, there was the need to investigate the current landscape of PED research, as well as to have a benchmark and collect feedback on the current research activities within Annex 83. Questions were structured in order to frame the current state-of-the-art understanding of the topic. A mapping of the potential different stakeholders in the PED design and implementation process was carried out at this stage. As a result, municipalities, community representatives, energy contractors, real estate companies and commercial facilitators, as well as citizens, were identified as main target groups. Later, the follow-up discussions were built around these main actors. Further, the mapping of the stakeholders’ involvement was carried out for better understanding the complexity of relationships, roles and synergies as well as the impact on the design, implementation and operation stages of PEDs.
  • Positive Energy Districts’ definitions and fundamentals ( Section 3.1 ).
  • Quality-of-life indicators in Positive Energy Districts ( Section 3.2 ).
  • Technologies in Positive Energy Districts: development, use and barriers ( Section 3.3 ).
  • Positive Energy Districts modeling: what is further needed to model PEDs? ( Section 3.4 ).
  • Sustainability assessment of Positive Energy Districts ( Section 3.5 ).
  • Stakeholder engagement within the design process ( Section 3.6 ).
  • Tools and guidelines for PED implementation ( Section 3.7 ).

3.1. Positive Energy Districts Definitions and Fundamentals

3.2. quality-of-life indicators in positive energy districts, 3.3. technologies in positive energy districts: development, use and barriers, 3.4. positive energy districts modeling: what is further needed to model peds, 3.5. sustainability assessment of positive energy districts, 3.6. stakeholder engagement within the design process, 3.7. tools and guidelines for ped implementation, 4. conclusions, author contributions, data availability statement, acknowledgments, conflicts of interest.

  • European Commission; Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. 100 Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030—By and for the Citizens ; European Commission: Luxembourg, 2020. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Department of Economic and Social Affairs United Nations. 68% of the World Population Projected to Live in Urban Areas by 2050, Says UN. Available online: https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/2018-revision-of-world-urbanization-prospects.html (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • Fatima, Z.; Vacha, T.; Swamygowda, K.; Qubailat, R. Getting Started with Positive Energy Districts: Experience until Now from Maia, Reykjavik, Kifissia, Kladno and Lviv. Sustainability 2022 , 14 , 5799. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • OECD. Managing Environmental and Energy Transitions for Regions and Cities ; OECD: Paris, France, 2020; Available online: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/projects/managing-environmental-and-energy-transitions-for-regions-and-cities.html (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • Pierce, S.; Pallonetto, F.; De Donatis, L.; De Rosa, M. District energy modelling for decarbonisation strategies development—The case of a University campus. Energy Rep. 2024 , 11 , 1256–1267. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • U.N. SDGs Goal 11|Make Cities and Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable. Available online: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal11 (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • Shahmohammad, M.; Salamattalab, M.M.; Sohn, W.; Kouhizadeh, M.; Aghamohmmadi, N. Opportunities and obstacles of blockchain use in pursuit of sustainable development goal 11: A systematic scoping review. Sustain. Cities Soc. 2024 , 112 , 105620. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Koch, F.; Ahmad, S. How to Measure Progress Towards an Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable City? Reflections on Applying the Indicators of Sustainable Development Goal 11 in Germany and India. In Urban Transformations. Future City ; Kabisch, S., Koch, F., Gawel, E., Haase, A., Knapp, S., Krellenberg, K., Nivala, J., Zehnsdorf, A., Eds.; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2017; Volume 10. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Sarvari, H.; Mehrabi, A.; Chan, D.W.M.; Cristofaro, M. Evaluating urban housing development patterns in developing countries: Case study of Worn-out Urban Fabrics in Iran. Sustain. Cities Soc. 2021 , 70 , 102941. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Gondeck, M.; Triebel, M.-A.; Steingrube, A.; Albert-Seifried, V.; Stryi-Hipp, G. Recommendations for a positive energy district framework—Application and evaluation of different energetic assessment methodologies. Smart Energy 2024 , 15 , 100147. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Gohari, S.; Castro Silvia, S.; Ashrafian, T.; Konstantinou, T.; Giancola, E.; Prebreza, B.; Aelenei, L.; Murauskaite, L.; Liu, M. Unraveling the implementation processes of PEDs: Lesson learned from multiple urban contexts. Sustain. Cities Soc. 2024 , 106 , 105402. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Sassenou, L.-N.; Olivieri, L.; Olivieri, F. Challenges for positive energy districts deployment: A systematic review. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2024 , 191 , 114152. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Good, N.; Martínez Ceseña, E.A.; Mancarella, P. Chapter Two—Energy Positivity and Flexibility in Districts. In Energy Positive Neighborhoods and Smart Energy Districts ; Monti, A., Pesch, D., Ellis, K.A., Mancarella, P., Eds.; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2017; pp. 7–30. ISBN 9780128099513. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Derkenbaeva, E.; Halleck Vega, S.; Hofstede, G.J.; van Leeuwen, E. Positive Energy Districts: Mainstreaming Energy Transition in Urban Areas. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2022 , 153 , 111782. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Bruck, A.; Díaz Ruano, S.; Auer, H. One Piece of the Puzzle towards 100 Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) across Europe by 2025: An Open-Source Approach to Unveil Favourable Locations of PV-Based PEDs from a Techno-Economic Perspective. Energy 2022 , 254 , 124152. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Vandevyvere, H.; Ahlers, D.; Wyckmans, A. The Sense and Non-Sense of PEDs—Feeding Back Practical Experiences of Positive Energy District Demonstrators into the European PED Framework Definition Development Process. Energies 2022 , 15 , 4491. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Natanian, J.; Magyari, A.; Brunetti, A.; Reith, A.; Guarino, F.; Manapragada, N.; Cellura, S.; de Luca, F.; Naboni, E. Ten Questions on Tools and Methods for Positive Energy Districts. Build. Environ. 2024 , 255 , 111429. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Perera, A.T.D.; Javanroodi, K.; Wang, Y.; Hong, T. Urban Cells: Extending the Energy Hub Concept to Facilitate Sector and Spatial Coupling. Adv. Appl. Energy 2021 , 3 , 100046. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Aparisi-Cerdá, I.; Ribó-Pérez, D.; Cuesta-Fernandez, I.; Gómez-Navarro, T. Planning Positive Energy Districts in Urban Water Fronts: Approach to La Marina de València, Spain. Energy Convers. Manag. 2022 , 265 , 115795. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Sareen, S.; Albert-Seifried, V.; Aelenei, L.; Reda, F.; Etminan, G.; Andreucci, M.-B.; Kuzmic, M.; Maas, N.; Seco, O.; Civiero, P.; et al. Ten Questions Concerning Positive Energy Districts. Build. Environ. 2022 , 216 , 109017. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Mihailova, D.; Schubert, I.; Burger, P.; Fritz, M.M.C. Exploring modes of sustainable value co-creation in renewable energy communities. J. Clean. Prod. 2022 , 330 , 129917. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Mihailova, D.; Schubert, I.; Martinez-Cruz, A.L.; Hearn, A.X.; Sohre, A. Preferences for configurations of Positive Energy Districts—Insights from a discrete choice experiment on Swiss households. Energy Policy 2022 , 163 , 112824. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Working Group SET. Plan Temporary SET-Plan ACTION n 3.2 Implementation Plan: Europe to Become a Global Role Model in Integrated, Innovative Solutions for the Planning, Deployment, and Replication of Positive Energy Districts ; 2018. Available online: https://jpi-urbaneurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/setplan_smartcities_implementationplan-2.pdf (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • JPI Urban Europe/SET Plan Action 3.2. In White Paper on PED Reference Framework for Positive Energy Districts and Neighbourhoods ; 2020. Available online: https://jpi-urbaneurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/White-Paper-PED-Framework-Definition-2020323-final.pdf (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • ATELIER. Atelier—Positive Energy Districts. Available online: https://smartcity-atelier.eu/ (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • EURAC Smart-BEEjS—Human-Centric Energy Districts: Smart Value Generation by Building Efficiency and Energy Justice for Sustainable Living. Available online: https://www.eurac.edu/en/institutes-centers/institute-for-renewable-energy/projects/smart-beejs (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • Making City Making City—Energy Efficient Pathway for the City Transformation. Available online: https://makingcity.eu/ (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • +CityxChange. Available online: https://cityxchange.eu/ (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • Uspenskaia, D.; Specht, K.; Kondziella, H.; Bruckner, T. Challenges and Barriers for Net-Zero/Positive Energy Buildings and Districts—Empirical Evidence from the Smart City Project SPARCS. Buildings 2021 , 11 , 78. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Hedman, Å.; Rehman, H.U.; Gabaldón, A.; Bisello, A.; Albert-Seifried, V.; Zhang, X.; Guarino, F.; Grynning, S.; Eicker, U.; Neumann, H.-M.; et al. IEA EBC Annex83 Positive Energy Districts. Buildings 2021 , 11 , 130. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Gabaldón Moreno, A.; Vélez, F.; Alpagut, B.; Hernández, P.; Sanz Montalvillo, C. How to Achieve Positive Energy Districts for Sustainable Cities: A Proposed Calculation Methodology. Sustainability 2021 , 13 , 710. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Aghamolaei, R.; Shamsi, M.H.; Tahsildoost, M.; O’Donnell, J. Review of district-scale energy performance analysis: Outlooks towards holistic urban frameworks. Sustain. Cities Soc. 2018 , 41 , 252–264. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Bottecchia, L.; Gabaldón, A.; Castillo-Calzadilla, T.; Soutullo, S.; Ranjbar, S.; Eicker, U. Fundamentals of Energy Modelling for Positive Energy Districts. In Sustainability in Energy and Buildings ; Littlewood, J.R., Howlett, R.J., Jain, L.C., Eds.; Springer: Singapore, 2022; Volume 263, Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Zhang, S.; Ma, M.; Zhou, N.; Yan, J.; Feng, W.; Yan, R.; You, K.; Zhang, J.; Ke, J. Estimation of Global Building Stocks by 2070: Unlocking Renovation Potential. Nexus 2024 , 1 , 100019. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Xiang, X.; Zhou, N.; Ma, M.; Feng, W.; Yan, R. Global transition of operational carbon in residential buildings since the millennium. Adv. Appl. Energy 2023 , 11 , 100145. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Yan, R.; Ma, M.; Zhou, N.; Feng, W.; Xiang, X.; Mao, C. Towards COP27: Decarbonization patterns of residential building in China and India. Appl. Energy 2023 , 352 , 122003. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Yuan, H.; Ma, M.; Zhou, N.; Xie, H.; Ma, Z.; Xiang, X.; Ma, X. Battery electric vehicle charging in China: Energy demand and emissions trends in the 2020s. Appl. Energy 2024 , 365 , 123153. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Orehounig, K.; Evins, R.; Dorer, V. Integration of Decentralized Energy Systems in Neighbourhoods Using the Energy Hub Approach. Appl. Energy 2015 , 154 , 277–289. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Pan, Z.; Guo, Q.; Sun, H. Interactions of District Electricity and Heating Systems Considering Time-Scale Characteristics Based on Quasi-Steady Multi-Energy Flow. Appl. Energy 2016 , 167 , 230–243. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Zhou, Y.; Cao, S.; Hensen, J.L.M. An energy paradigm transition framework from negative towards positive district energy sharing networks—Battery cycling aging, advanced battery management strategies, flexible vehicles-to-buildings interactions, uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. Appl. Energy 2021 , 288 , 116606. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Marrasso, E.; Martone, C.; Pallotta, G.; Roselli, C.; Sasso, M. Assessment of energy systems configurations in mixed-use Positive Energy Districts through novel indicators for energy and environmental analysis. Appl. Energy 2024 , 368 , 123374. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Bruck, A.; Díaz Ruano, S.; Auer, H. A Critical Perspective on Positive Energy Districts in Climatically Favoured Regions: An Open-Source Modelling Approach Disclosing Implications and Possibilities. Energies 2021 , 14 , 4864. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Ali, U.; Shamsi, M.H.; Hoare, C.; Mangina, E.; O’Donnell, J. Review of Urban Building Energy Modeling (UBEM) Approaches, Methods and Tools Using Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis. Energy Build. 2021 , 246 , 111073. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Brunetti, A.; Cellura, S.; Guarino, F.; Longo, S.; Mistretta, M.; Reda, F.; Rincione, R. Development of an Early Design Tool for the Sustainability Assessment of Positive Energy Districts: Methodology, Implementation and Case-Studies. J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 2023 , 2600 , 82020. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Trulsrud, T.H.; Van der Leer, J. Towards a positive energy balance: A comparative analysis of the planning and design of four positive energy districts and neighbourhoods in Norway and Sweden. Energy Build. 2024 , 318 , 114429. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Guasselli, F.; Vavouris, A.; Stankovic, L.; Stankovic, V.; Didierjean, S.; Gram-Hanssen, K. Smart energy technologies for the collective: Time-shifting, demand reduction and household practices in a Positive Energy Neighbourhood in Norway. Energy Res. Soc. Sci. 2024 , 110 , 103436. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Aparisi-Cerdá, I.; Ribó-Pérez, D.; Gómez-Navarro, T.; García-Melón, M.; Peris-Blanes, J. Prioritising Positive Energy Districts to achieve carbon neutral cities: Delphi-DANP approach. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2024 , 203 , 114764. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Castillo-Calzadilla, T.; Garay-Martinez, R.; Martin Andonegui, C. Holistic fuzzy logic methodology to assess positive energy district (PathPED). Sustain. Cities Soc. 2023 , 89 , 104375. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Derkenbaeva, E.; Jan Hofstede, G.; van Leeuwen, E.; Halleck Vega, S.; Wolfers, J. ENERGY Pro: Spatially explicit agent-based model on achieving positive energy districts. MethodsX 2024 , 12 , 102779. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Eicker, U. Introduction: The Challenges of the Urban Energy Transition. In Urban Energy Systems for Low-Carbon Cities ; Eicker, U., Ed.; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2019; pp. 1–15. ISBN 978-0-12-811553-4. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Jepsen, B.K.H.; Haut, T.W.; Design, M.J. Modelling and Performance Evaluation of a Positive Energy District in a Danish Island. Future Cities Environ. 2022 , 8 , 1. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Guarino, F.; Bisello, A.; Frieden, D.; Bastos, J.; Brunetti, A.; Cellura, M.; Ferraro, M.; Fichera, A.; Giancola, E.; Haase, M.; et al. State of the Art on Sustainability Assessment of Positive Energy Districts: Methodologies, Indicators and Future Perspectives. Sustain. Energy Build. 2021 , 2021 , 479–492. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Hearn, A.X.; Sohre, A.; Burger, P. Innovative but Unjust? Analysing the Opportunities and Justice Issues within Positive Energy Districts in Europe. Energy Res. Soc. Sci. 2021 , 78 , 102127. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Haarstad, H.; Wathne, M.W. Are Smart City Projects Catalyzing Urban Energy Sustainability? Energy Policy 2019 , 129 , 918–925. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Gouveia, J.P.; Seixas, J.; Palma, P.; Duarte, H.; Luz, H.; Cavadini, G.B.C. Positive Energy District: A Model for Historic Districts to Address Energy Poverty. Front. Sustain. Cities 2021 , 3 , 648473. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Bossi, S.; Gollner, C.; Theierling, S. Towards 100 Positive Energy Districts in Europe: Preliminary Data Analysis of 61 European Cases. Energies 2020 , 13 , 6083. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Rankinen, J.-A.; Lakkala, S.; Haapasalo, H.; Hirvonen-Kantola, S. Stakeholder Management in PED Projects: Challenges and Management Model. Int. J. Sustain. Energy Plan. Manag. 2022 , 34 , 91–106. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Schiele, H.; Krummaker, S.; Hoffmann, P.; Kowalski, R. The “research world café” as method of scientific enquiry: Combining rigor with relevance and speed. J. Bus. Res. 2022 , 140 , 280–296. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Vandevyvere, H.; Ahlers, D.; Alpagut, B.; Cerna, V.; Cimini, V.; Haxhija, S.; Hukkalainen, M.; Kuzmic, M.; Livik, K.; Padilla, M.; et al. Positive Energy Districts Solution Booklet ; European Union: Luxembourg, 2020. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Évora—POCITYF. Available online: https://pocityf.eu/city/evora/ (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • Commission, E.; European Climate, I.; Agency, E.E.; Alpagut, B.; Zhang, X.; Gabaldon, A.; Hernandez, P. Digitalization in Urban. Energy Systems—Outlook 2025, 2030 and 2040 ; Publications Office of the European Union: Luxembourg, 2022. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Waglé, S.; Singh, J.; Shah, P. Citizen Report Card Surveys: A Note on the Concept and Methodology (English) ; World Bank: Washington, DC, USA, 2004. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Cimini, V.; Giglio, F.; Carbonari, G. D2.4: Report on Bankability of the Demonstrated Innovations. In +CityxChange—Work Package 2 Task 2.7 ; 2019. Available online: https://cityxchange.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/D2.4-Report-on-Bankability-of-the-Demonstrated-Innovations_v3.0-final.pdf (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • Cordis—Horizon 2020 Results in Brief. A Collaborative Approach Promotes Net Zero Energy Settlements. In Achieving near Zero and Positive Energy Settlements in Europe Using Advanced Energy Technology ; 2021. Available online: https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/430390-a-collaborative-approach-promotes-net-zero-energy-settlements (accessed on 24 June 2024).
  • Krangsås, S.G.; Steemers, K.; Konstantinou, T.; Soutullo, S.; Liu, M.; Giancola, E.; Prebreza, B.; Ashrafian, T.; Murauskaitė, L.; Maas, N. Positive Energy Districts: Identifying Challenges and Interdependencies. Sustainability 2021 , 13 , 10551. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Prina, M.G.; Manzolini, G.; Moser, D.; Nastasi, B.; Sparber, W. Classification and Challenges of Bottom-up Energy System Models—A Review. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2020 , 129 , 109917. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Allegrini, J.; Orehounig, K.; Mavromatidis, G.; Ruesch, F.; Dorer, V.; Evins, R. A Review of Modelling Approaches and Tools for the Simulation of District-Scale Energy Systems. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2015 , 52 , 1391–1404. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Lyden, A.; Pepper, R.; Tuohy, P.G. A Modelling Tool Selection Process for Planning of Community Scale Energy Systems Including Storage and Demand Side Management. Sustain. Cities Soc. 2018 , 39 , 674–688. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Tozzi, P.; Jo, J.H. A Comparative Analysis of Renewable Energy Simulation Tools: Performance Simulation Model vs. System Optimization. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2017 , 80 , 390–398. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Hall, L.M.H.; Buckley, A.R. A Review of Energy Systems Models in the UK: Prevalent Usage and Categorisation. Appl. Energy 2016 , 169 , 607–628. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Ringkjøb, H.-K.; Haugan, P.M.; Solbrekke, I.M. A Review of Modelling Tools for Energy and Electricity Systems with Large Shares of Variable Renewables. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2018 , 96 , 440–459. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Neumann, H.M.; Garayo, S.D.; Gaitani, N.; Vettorato, D.; Aelenei, L.; Borsboom, J.; Etminan, G.; Kozlowska, A.; Reda, F.; Rose, J.; et al. Qualitative Assessment Methodology for Positive Energy District Planning Guidelines. In Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies ; Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2022; Volume 263, pp. 507–517. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Li, L.; Lange, K.W. Planning Principles for Integrating Community Empowerment into Zero-Net Carbon Transformation. Smart Cities 2023 , 6 , 100–122. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Turci, G.; Alpagut, B.; Civiero, P.; Kuzmic, M.; Pagliula, S.; Massa, G.; Albert-Seifried, V.; Seco, O.; Soutullo, S. A Comprehensive PED-Database for Mapping and Comparing Positive Energy Districts Experiences at European Level. Sustainability 2022 , 14 , 427. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • PED DB: Map—PED-EU-NET|COST ACTION CA19126. Available online: https://pedeu.net/map/ (accessed on 15 January 2024).
  • European Union. New European Bauhaus. Available online: https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/about/dashboard_en (accessed on 30 June 2024).
  • Volpe, R.; Gonzalez Alriols, M.; Martelo Schmalbach, N.; Fichera, A. Optimal design and operation of distributed electrical generation for Italian positive energy districts with biomass district heating. Energy Convers. Manag. 2022 , 267 , 115937. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Bilić, B.; Šmit, K. Evaluation of the New European Bauhaus in Urban Plans by Land Use Occurrence Indicators: A Case Study in Rijeka, Croatia. Buildings 2024 , 14 , 1058. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Fichera, A.; Pluchino, A.; Volpe, R. Local Production and Storage in Positive Energy Districts: The Energy Sharing Perspective. Front. Sustain. Cities 2021 , 3 , 690927. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
  • Cellura, M.; Fichera, A.; Guarino, F.; Volpe, R. Sustainable Development Goals and Performance Measurement of Positive Energy District: A Methodological Approach. Conference paper-Book Chapter. In Sustainability in Energy and Buildings ; Springer: Singapore, 2021; Volume 263, pp. 519–527. [ Google Scholar ]

Click here to enlarge figure

Question #1Question #2Question #3

What are the essential PED DNAs? Can generic PED
archetypes be created based on them?
What are the categories of quality-of-life indicators
relevant for PED development?
How would you use a database tool to learn about PED development process (e.g.,
using static information for
dynamic decision-making)?



Which future technologies would you expect to be adopted in PEDs and cities?What can be the challenges and the barriers in the future (regarding e.g., control, smart solutions, modeling,
technologies) to PED development and diffusion?
What is your expectation for urban and district energy
modeling? How can models help to shape PEDs and cities?

What is the impact of
stakeholders in the PED
design/decision process, what are their interests and how are stakeholders likely to be involved in the overall process?
What costs do you expect to bear and what revenues do you expect to realize from the PED implementation? Which aspects should be included in the organizational/business models?What would you prioritize in terms of energy aspects or
efficiency and social
implications of living in a PED? Which aspects are more relevant for you?


Annex 83 together with other PED initiatives is developing a database of PEDs and PED-Labs: what would be your main interest in consulting the database?Having the outcomes from PED guidelines analysis, what information would be the most interesting for you to see?Who can benefit from the PED research studies and Annex 83 results? Which stakeholders are interested?
CategoriesKey Characteristics
Facts and FiguresPhysical sizes/population size
Geographical location
Climate
Density
Built form
Land use
Energy demand
Renewable energy potential
TechnologiesRenewable energy supplies
Energy-efficiency measures
Energy distribution (e.g., co-generation, district network)
Energy storage
Mobility solutions
Quality of LifeUser comfort
Social-economic conditions
Health impacts (e.g., air pollution, noise pollution)
Accessibility to green space
Accessibility to services (e.g., bike lane,
public transportation)
Local value/sense of community
OthersRegulations/Policies
Stakeholder involvement
Local targets and ambitions
Local challenges
Impacts of PEDs
TypeQuality Categories
TangibleIndoor and outdoor
environmental quality
Physical quality and comfort of the environment
Security and safety
Level and accessibility of servicingPublic and active transport facilities including walkability, energy services (access to affordable energy including access to energy efficiency), sustainable waste management
Access to daily life amenities including education, culture, sports, coworking and study places, provisions for children, but even common gardens or community kitchens
Aesthetic quality
Functional mix
Future-proofness
Acceptable cost of life (affordability, inclusivity)
Equity and just transition
Functional links to realizing circularity and reducing emissions
Citizen engagementInvolvement in decision-making
Social diversity in participation
Access to greeneryThe possibility to reconnect with nature
Sufficient open space
Information flowFrom creating awareness over enhancing knowledge and literacy up to capacity of control
Transparency on energy flows and information for the end prosumer
Insight in applicable PED solutions and in healthy lifestyles
IntangibleSense of well-being
Quality of social connections
Sense of personal achievement
Level of self-esteem
Sense of community
Degree of cooperation and engagement for the common interest
Time spent with friends (outdoor)
Budget available at the end of the month to spend freely
Not being aware or realizing of living in a PED
Technology GroupsSolutions
Energy efficiencyNew energy-efficient buildings and building retrofitting.
Nature-based solutions (natural sinks) and carbon capture solutions (CCS)
Efficient resource management
Efficient water systems for agriculture (smart agriculture, hydroponics, agrivoltaics, etc.)
Organic photovoltaics and a circular approach (second life materials, like batteries)
Energy flexibilityHardwareStorage (long-term and short-term)
Monitoring systems (sensors, smart meters, PLCs *, energy management systems, etc.)
Vehicle to grid
Heat pumps
Electronic devices like IoT * technologies
Buildings fully automated with real time monitoring behind-the-meter and automated actions
Cybersecurity, data rights and data access
Demand management and remote control of devices
SoftwareEdge computing
Machine learning
Blockchain
Digital twins
5G
City management platform and platforms for city planning (space, refurbishment, climate change, etc.)
E-mobilityPromotion of shared vehicles over individual car use, lift sharing, and alternative ways (like micromobility) to collective transports
Soft mobilityPromotion of a lifestyle that require less use of cars, i.e., “soft mobility” solutions like low emission zones or banning the entrance of some type of car (e.g., Singapore and Iran have policies in place to allow only certain car groups to drive freely in certain periods)
E-vehicle charging stations and vehicle-to-grid solutions
Low-carbon generationPhotovoltaics
Energy communities
Electrification of heating and cooling (H&C) using heat pumps, district heating networks utilizing waste heat, or solar thermal technologies
Virtual production
Fusion technology
Challenges and BarriersKey Topics
Capacity building and
policy issues
Political and legal barriers
Regulatory frameworks and policy constraints
Tailored legislation
Bridging the knowledge gap
Inadequate data sharing practices
Securing sufficient financial resources
Lack of clear regulations defining PED classification
Active involvement of policymakers
Widespread dissemination of knowledge
Collaborative data-sharing efforts
Securing adequate funding
Establishing supportive policies and regulations
Social challenges and
considerations
Cultural barriers
Access to affordable and sustainable energy for all
Building social agreements and fostering collaboration
Energy literacy
Addressing personal behavior acceptance
Transition strategy for inclusivity
Social inclusion and trust-building
Data sharing and privacy concerns
Overcoming public opposition and promoting knowledge dissemination
Financial barriersLong-term storage investment and space competition
Insufficient investment
High upfront costs
Allocation of costs among stakeholders
Incentives for participation
Addressing investment challenges for different stakeholders
Accounting for battery costs
Data managementData standardization
Data security measures and protocols
Sustainability and maintenance of data infrastructure
Privacy regulations and data anonymization techniques
Sustainable business models and ownership structuresStandardization of control technologies and replication strategies
Grid management approaches
Deep penetration of sustainable technologies
Implementation of predictive models
Long-term maintenance activities and resident data collection
Balancing diverse requirements
Addressing grid operation challenges
Managing multiple independent energy districts
Inclusivity strategies for digital technology reliance
Managing production peaks and defining the role of buildings and districts
Effective management strategies for grid congestion and
stability
Categories of InnovationInnovation TypesPossible Revenues/Advantages
in PED Business
Model/Governance
Possible Costs/Drawbacks in PED Business
Model/Governance
ConfigurationProfit ModelProviding thermal comfort
instead of a certain amount of thermal energy to inhabitants
Misconducts or rebound effect
NetworkInclusion of the PED into larger projects and international
networks, possibility of
co-financing and knowledge sharing
Misalignment or delay of the PED project to the original timeline due to constrains related to international activities and networking
StructureParticipation of the real estate companies/investors in the development and management of the energy infrastructure and EV mobility services as well as building managementLack of knowledge, involvement in activities out of the usual business of investors
Free or almost free thermal
energy supply from “waste
energy” sources
Failure of the network due to unliteral decisions of a member in ceasing the provision of
energy
ProcessInvolvement of future inhabitants in the design phase of the energy community since the early stage, to share the sense of belonging and ownershipReluctancy of inhabitants to participate in additional expenses or being involved in “entrepreneurial” activities or bored by the participation in boards and governance structures
OfferingProduct PerformanceInvestors and companies
involved in the PED
development take profit from their role of frontrunner
placing them before the
competitors or entering in new market niches
Hi-tech BA and BEM systems may result costly in O&M, because of digital components, cloud and computing services, rapid aging of technology
Product SystemIncluding EV available for PED users may generate new incomes and reduce the need
of individual cars. The
integration of EV in the
energy system may offer
“flexibility services”
Lack of knowledge, involvement in activities out of the usual business of investors/real estate companies.
Low interest of users in participating to the flexibility market, because of discomfort (unexpected empty battery of the EV)
ExperienceServicesProvision of high tech and high-performance buildings, with outstanding energy performances (lower heating/cooling costs) and sophisticated Building Automation and Energy Management systemsSophisticated Building Automation and Energy Management systems may result “invasive” to users, asking for continuous interaction with complicate systems, or leaving them not enough freedom to choose (e.g., opening the windows is not possible to achieve some energy performance)
ChannelThe PED is promoted as a rewarding sustainable investment, this allows the city to attract more clean investments (public funds, investment funds, donors), speeding up the energy transitionThe communication of the characteristics of the PED is not done in the proper way
BrandGold class rated buildings may have an increased value on the market, resulting in higher selling and rental costs, occupancy rate. The high architectural quality is appreciated by the marketThe Branding/certification of the PED is not recognized by the market as an added value.
The development of the PED takes longer as expected.
Technology failures during the implementation or operation phase create a bad reputation and discourage future similar activities
Customer EngagementThe PED is available as a
digital twin, users are engaged via a dedicated app, allowing interaction, communication, reporting, monitoring of bills, etc.
The PED is perceived by users (e.g., social housing tenants) as a hassle and not responding to their needs, because they have not been involved in the identification of peculiar traits since the beginning
CategoryBeneficiaries
Citizens and communitiesCitizens, inhabitants, residents, general public, local communities and neighborhoods, municipalities and provinces, energy communities, and socially disadvantaged groups.
City decision-makers and plannersCity decision-makers, city planners, local authorities, policy-makers, public administrations, politicians, local and national governments.
ResearchScientists, publishers, and research organizations.
Private companies and technology developersPrivate companies of RES technologies, ICT companies, start-ups and new companies, entrepreneurs, technology developers and other companies involved in local development (tech development and evaluation).
Energy providersEnergy providers, grid operators.
Education stakeholdersStudents and teachers.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)NGOs and other civil society groups
CategoryComments
StrategiesMost comments dealt with the strategies on how to achieve PEDs, that should focus on success factors of PED initiatives, technologies and stakeholders rather than a standardized approach
ReferencesUseful information, special attention to Liwen Li, planning principles for integrating community empowerment into zero-carbon transformation
DefinitionsHelp to reduce uncertainty
BoundariesEnergy balance calculations, mobility, definition (of buildings)
FinanceFinancial mechanisms, support schemes
Citizen engagementFrom engagement to empowerment
ManagementProcess management, organizing involvement, information provision
PolicyIncentives, regional policies
Flexibility/Grid interactionTimesteps, credit system
FormDissemination through video and other forms (not only written information)
CategoryComments
Lessons learnedSpecial reference to real life implementation
ResultsData analysis and potential research on the field
Metadata as the useful information that can the real goal of consultation
Benchmarking to compare PEDs
Need to normalize results depending on a number of factors (size, location…) to really compare different initiatives
Privacy and data protection
Sets of technologies and solutions-
Economic parametersAs a way to benchmark the different PED technologies
Citizen engagement Energy poverty
Prosumers
From engagement to empowerment
Definition and boundariesNeed to standardize and have a reference framework to establish the energy balance
Contact personsIt is very valuable to have a contact address to ask more about the initiative
Regulatory frameworkDrivers and Enablers
The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

Kozlowska, A.; Guarino, F.; Volpe, R.; Bisello, A.; Gabaldòn, A.; Rezaei, A.; Albert-Seifried, V.; Alpagut, B.; Vandevyvere, H.; Reda, F.; et al. Positive Energy Districts: Fundamentals, Assessment Methodologies, Modeling and Research Gaps. Energies 2024 , 17 , 4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174425

Kozlowska A, Guarino F, Volpe R, Bisello A, Gabaldòn A, Rezaei A, Albert-Seifried V, Alpagut B, Vandevyvere H, Reda F, et al. Positive Energy Districts: Fundamentals, Assessment Methodologies, Modeling and Research Gaps. Energies . 2024; 17(17):4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174425

Kozlowska, Anna, Francesco Guarino, Rosaria Volpe, Adriano Bisello, Andrea Gabaldòn, Abolfazl Rezaei, Vicky Albert-Seifried, Beril Alpagut, Han Vandevyvere, Francesco Reda, and et al. 2024. "Positive Energy Districts: Fundamentals, Assessment Methodologies, Modeling and Research Gaps" Energies 17, no. 17: 4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174425

Article Metrics

Article access statistics, further information, mdpi initiatives, follow mdpi.

MDPI

Subscribe to receive issue release notifications and newsletters from MDPI journals

Top 100 Environmental Science Project Topics

image

Table of contents

  • 1 Climate Change
  • 2 Renewable Energy
  • 3 Urban Ecology
  • 4 Land and Water Use
  • 5 Pollution
  • 6 Environmental Science Topics for College Students
  • 7 Energy Resources and Consumption
  • 8 Population
  • 9 Noise and Light Pollution
  • 10.1 Conclusion

With the environment and global warming in its current predicament, it’s no surprise that environmental science job opportunities will be on the rise in the very near future.

With the environment and global warming in its current predicament, it’s no surprise that environmental science job opportunities will be on the rise in the very near future. Therefore, so are the numbers of students pursuing studies in this field. The last four decades have seen huge changes in the rate of global warming and so more than ever before, we need people to study topics in environmental science.

For anyone majoring in environmental science, anyone needing to write  environmental studies project topics for a science course, or essay writer who is working on topical essays this comprehensive article will talk you through the top ten project topics to pursue. For each project topic, we’ll give you ten ideas.

Climate Change

There’ll always be an environment, but it’s looking more and more likely that it won’t be like our current one in the future. With this in mind, here are the top ten environmental project topics for college students on climate change:

  • Is global warming a natural phenomenon?
  • The politicization of global warming.
  • How do eddy covariance towers work?
  • Planetary tilt – does it affect global warming?
  • The differences between climate change and the greenhouse effect.
  • Why is carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas?
  • How do changes to weather patterns affect the Earth’s climate?
  • The concept of polar amplification.
  • The barriers to climate change responses.
  • The “heat island” effect.

more_shortcode

Renewable Energy

Our advances through the industrial revolution and the use of fossil fuels are now coming back to bite us. Here are ten environmental topics for project on renewable energy:

  • The pros and cons of hydropower.
  • Solar energy and pollution.
  • Solar energy to help the economy.
  • Geothermal energy: an unlikely major energy source?
  • The problems caused by renewable energies.
  • Understanding geothermal energy.
  • Are hydrogen fuel cells a viable alternative?
  • The advantages and disadvantages of solar power.
  • Transporting geothermal energy: a study.
  • The challenges of large-scale biomass energy use.

Urban Ecology

Urban ecology is an important consideration for environmental science projects for college students who are eager to pay for essay to receive high grades for assignments. When we study the environment, we tend to think of green spaces and rural lands, but urban ecology is important too. As such, here are ten environmental science project ideas on this topic:

  • How do unequal urban planning and greenspace distribution affect temperatures in a city?
  • How does urbanization affect surrounding rural areas?
  • How is the local climate affected by buildings and pavements?
  • What is the urban heat island effect?
  • How are water sources affected by urbanization?
  • How has human development affected our green spaces?
  • How is social identity linked to urbanization?
  • What impact does transport have on rural locations?
  • How can the natural environment be integrated into urban planning and design projects?
  • What is water harvesting?

more_shortcode

Land and Water Use

When humans use natural resources, they also disrupt natural ecosystems. This is an important area of study as we try to claw back and save some of the world’s resources from being entirely depleted. Here are ten interesting  environment related topics for project on this subject:

  • How have overfishing and non-sustainable fishing methods affected our oceans?
  • How does using water for irrigation affect natural ecosystems?
  • The impacts of different societies’ ecological footprints in terms of waste production and resource demands.
  • How can we mitigate deforestation?
  • An analysis of The Green Revolution.
  • The impact of salt application to streams.
  • How does using an ANN (artificial neural network) for rainfall-runoff affect ecosystems?
  • How do land-use changes impact urban runoff?
  • Relationships between water quality, land use and land use change.
  • Land use effects on lake water quality.

Pollution is one of the planet and humanity’s worst enemies. Agriculture, transportation, and industry can cause horrific environmental catastrophes. Check out the possible environment science project topics on pollution:

  • The impact of pollution on health care.
  • The effects of environmental pollution and water pollution on marine life.
  • The effects of air pollution on the food chain.
  • How environmental pollution affects Arctic.
  • The health hazards associated with waste accumulation and water pollution.
  • How do human activities change the world’s oceans?
  • Conservation and how it helps to reduce air pollution.
  • The difficulty of establishing direct links between health problems, air pollution, and air quality.
  • Environmental policy regarding air pollution and acid rain.
  • The effect of acid rain in urban and natural areas.

Environmental Science Topics for College Students

Environmental studies at college is all about studying in-depth biological, chemical, and physical processes on Earth. Environmental sciences also incorporates social, cultural, and political processes that have an impact. When studying Environmental Science at college level, a project need to seek out ways to present complex relationships in a simple way. Here are some ideal environmental science projects for college students:

  • Genetically Modified (GM) foods and their impact on the environment.
  • The global impact of radiation and nuclear accidents.
  • The role of the UNEP in environmental conservation.
  • The impact of freak weather incidents.
  • Micro-plastics in drinking water – why and how have they got there?
  • The Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings – what have we learned about nuclear bombs and the effects on the ecosystem?
  • The impact of Coronavirus and maintaining the ecosystem.
  • The role of the media in conservation campaigns.
  • Tourism and the impact of human activities on a local and global level.
  • How has the US departure from the Paris Climate Agreement changed things?

Energy Resources and Consumption

Lots of  environmental studies project topics goes into looking at energy resources and consumption, which makes this a great project topic. There is already a lot of information out there, which makes this easy to research.

  • What is the relationship between energy efficiency and energy conservation?
  • What are the economic, social, and environmental costs of solar energy?
  • Was coal pivotal in industrialization?
  • The impact of fracking on the environment.
  • Compare and contrast the processes of extracting oil and mining coal.
  • How is ethanol produced as a biofuel?
  • Nuclear energy is a viable clean energy. Discuss.
  • The environmental effects of a nuclear conflict explored.
  • What is plant biomass?
  • The challenges of converting to large-scale biomass energy.

You can't write a list environment project topics  about environmental science, without mentioning population, environmental health, and the changes we've seen over the years. A lot of environment research focuses on population and its effects. Here are some ideas:

  • Population growth and its effects on GDP.
  • Factors that control population growth and the effect of density.
  • An exploration of population momentum.
  • The importance of studying population ecology.
  • The effect of human migration on populations.
  • The effects of overpopulation.
  • The effects of global warming on the global population.
  • Is sustainable development possible in a growing population?
  • What would happen if the demand for natural resources became greater than the supply?
  • How serious is the world population explosion?

Noise and Light Pollution

Though lots of people don’t consider light and noise as pollutants, the reality is that they are. Noise levels and light levels can affect organisms. Here are some interesting topics for science projects on noise and light pollution:

  • How is local wildlife affected by airport noise?
  • What happens if orcas aren’t able to use echolocation due to freight noise?
  • Migrating birds and the confusion from bright lights.
  • The effect of bright lights in resorts and sea turtles emerging from nests.
  • How bright city lights affect nocturnal animals.
  • The disruption of nocturnal activity in frogs and toads due to artificial light glare.
  • Artificial lights and the effects on migratory birds.
  • Light pollution and the effects on plants.
  • Changes in animal behavior due to noise pollution.
  • Noise pollution and the effects on mating frogs.

Conservation Biology

With as many as 2,000 species becoming extinct each year, we’re experiencing a serious problem. Conservation biology is a huge topic of interest when you need to " write my essay " and want to succeed with this task. Here are some ideas for exploration:

  • How has human behavior ramped up endangered species extinction rates?
  • How do humans threaten endangered species?
  • What will the effects of a loss in biodiversity be for humans?
  • If honeybees become extinct, what other changes would we see?
  • Why is the decline in pollinating insects so dangerous?
  • What happens if we lose endangered species?
  • What is the Holocene extinction event?
  • The collapse of the world’s coral reef ecosystems.
  • The threat of acidification in our oceans.
  • How can environmental policy help threats to biodiversity?

It's clear to say that there is a huge variety in topics in environmental science. For anyone looking for an environmental science project topic, we hope this extensive list has helped narrow down your ideas. Whether you're looking for environmental research topics for college students or high school, there is something for everyone here.

Readers also enjoyed

100 Environment Essay Topics That Will Inspire Your Eco-Conscious Mind

WHY WAIT? PLACE AN ORDER RIGHT NOW!

Just fill out the form, press the button, and have no worries!

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy.

environmental policy research paper topics

September National Health Observances: Healthy Aging, Sickle Cell Disease, and More

Each month, we feature select National Health Observances (NHOs) that align with our priorities for improving health across the nation. In September, we’re raising awareness about healthy aging, sickle cell disease, substance use recovery, and HIV/AIDS. 

Below, you’ll find resources to help you spread the word about these NHOs with your audiences. 

  • Healthy Aging Month Each September, we celebrate Healthy Aging Month to promote ways people can stay healthy as they age. Explore our healthy aging resources , bookmark the Healthy People 2030 and Older Adults page , share our Move Your Way® materials for older adults , and check out the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report . You can also share resources related to healthy aging from the National Institute on Aging — and register for the 2024 National Healthy Aging Symposium to hear from experts on innovations to improve the health and well-being of older adults.
  • National Recovery Month The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors National Recovery Month to raise awareness about mental health and addiction recovery. Share our MyHealthfinder resources on substance use and misuse — and be sure to check out Healthy People 2030’s evidence-based resources related to drug and alcohol use . 
  • National Sickle Cell Awareness Month National Sickle Cell Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness and support people living with sickle cell disease. Help your community learn about sickle cell disease by sharing these resources from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) . You can also encourage new and expecting parents to learn about screening their newborn baby for sickle cell . And be sure to view our Healthy People 2030 objectives on improving health for people who have blood disorders .
  • National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (September 18) On September 18, we celebrate HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day to encourage older adults to get tested for HIV. Share CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign to help promote HIV testing, prevention, and treatment. MyHealthfinder also has information for consumers about getting tested for HIV and actionable questions for the doctor about HIV testing . Finally, share these evidence-based resources on sexually transmitted infections from Healthy People 2030.
  • National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (September 27) National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on September 27 highlights the impact of HIV on gay and bisexual men and promotes strategies to encourage testing. Get involved by sharing CDC’s social media toolkit and HIV information to encourage men to get tested — and share our MyHealthfinder resources to help people get tested for HIV and talk with their doctor about testing .

We hope you’ll join us in promoting these important NHOs with your networks to help improve health across the nation!

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.

Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by ODPHP or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.

Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

Academic Writing Service

This page presents a comprehensive collection of environmental law research paper topics , tailored for students studying law and interested in exploring the complexities of environmental issues. Environmental law is a vital field that addresses the legal aspects of protecting the environment, ensuring sustainable practices, and regulating human activities that impact the planet. From climate change and biodiversity conservation to environmental policies and international treaties, students will find a wealth of thought-provoking topics to delve into. Whether you are passionate about environmental advocacy or seeking to understand the legal implications of environmental challenges, this page is a valuable resource to expand your knowledge and refine your research skills.

100 Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

Environmental law encompasses a wide array of legal issues related to the protection and preservation of our planet’s natural resources and ecosystems. This comprehensive list of environmental law research paper topics is designed to inspire students and researchers alike to explore the intricate and ever-evolving landscape of environmental law. The topics are organized into ten distinct categories, each focusing on different aspects of environmental law and its significance in shaping environmental policies and practices.

Academic Writing, Editing, Proofreading, And Problem Solving Services

Get 10% off with 24start discount code.

Environmental Policy and Regulation

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of environmental policies in achieving sustainability goals.
  • Analyzing the role of government regulations in addressing environmental challenges.
  • The impact of international environmental agreements on global conservation efforts.
  • Legal frameworks for addressing climate change and promoting renewable energy.
  • The role of public participation in shaping environmental policies and decision-making.
  • The legal implications of environmental impact assessments in policy formulation.
  • Balancing economic interests and environmental protection in policy development.
  • The role of judicial review in upholding or challenging environmental policies.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of market-based approaches in environmental regulation.
  • The impact of political ideologies on environmental policy formulation.

Biodiversity and Wildlife Protection

  • The legal implications of conserving endangered species and habitats.
  • Analyzing the role of wildlife protection laws in combating illegal trafficking and poaching.
  • Legal challenges in balancing human development with wildlife conservation.
  • The impact of habitat destruction on biodiversity and legal measures for preservation.
  • The role of international treaties in promoting cross-border wildlife protection.
  • The legal aspects of wildlife rehabilitation and reintroduction programs.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of protected areas in biodiversity conservation.
  • Legal challenges in addressing invasive species and their impact on ecosystems.
  • The role of private landowners in wildlife conservation efforts.
  • The intersection of indigenous rights and wildlife protection.

Pollution Control and Remediation

  • The legal framework for regulating air and water pollution.
  • Analyzing liability and compensation mechanisms for environmental damages.
  • Legal challenges in hazardous waste management and cleanup.
  • The role of environmental impact assessments in pollution prevention.
  • The legal implications of emerging contaminants and their regulation.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of pollution trading and offset programs.
  • Legal challenges in addressing plastic pollution and marine litter.
  • The role of corporate environmental liability in pollution prevention.
  • Analyzing the impact of industrial pollution on public health and communities.
  • The legal aspects of noise pollution and its regulation.

Water Resource Management and Conservation

  • Legal considerations in managing and allocating water resources.
  • Analyzing the impact of water pollution on ecosystems and public health.
  • Legal challenges in protecting and restoring aquatic habitats.
  • The role of water rights and agreements in transboundary water management.
  • The legal implications of water scarcity and drought management.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of water conservation and efficiency measures.
  • Legal challenges in addressing groundwater contamination and depletion.
  • The role of ecosystem-based approaches in water resource management.
  • The legal aspects of water privatization and its implications for access and equity.
  • The intersection of water law and indigenous water rights.

Land Use and Sustainable Development

  • The legal framework for sustainable land use planning and urban development.
  • Analyzing the impact of mining and extraction industries on the environment.
  • Legal challenges in regulating deforestation and promoting reforestation.
  • The role of property rights in promoting conservation and sustainable land practices.
  • The legal implications of land use conflicts and dispute resolution.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of land conservation easements in sustainable development.
  • Legal challenges in balancing agriculture and conservation on agricultural lands.
  • The role of zoning laws and land use ordinances in urban planning.
  • The legal aspects of land restoration and brownfield redevelopment.
  • The impact of climate change on land use and legal responses for adaptation.

Energy Law and Climate Policy

  • Analyzing the legal aspects of renewable energy development and integration.
  • The role of international agreements in promoting sustainable energy practices.
  • Legal challenges in transitioning to a low-carbon energy economy.
  • The impact of energy regulation on achieving climate change goals.
  • The legal implications of energy subsidies and their impact on sustainable energy.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of carbon capture and storage technologies.
  • Legal challenges in promoting energy efficiency and conservation measures.
  • The role of energy law in promoting decentralized and distributed energy systems.
  • The legal aspects of energy infrastructure development and environmental concerns.
  • The intersection of energy law and indigenous rights in energy development.

Environmental Justice and Human Rights

  • The legal implications of environmental discrimination and equitable access to resources.
  • Analyzing the role of human rights in environmental protection and advocacy.
  • Legal challenges in seeking remedies for environmental harm and social injustices.
  • The intersection of environmental justice and indigenous rights.
  • The role of environmental litigation in advancing environmental justice.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of public interest litigation in environmental cases.
  • Legal challenges in addressing environmental racism and marginalized communities.
  • The role of environmental ombudsmen and their impact on justice and accountability.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of community-based environmental monitoring and advocacy.
  • The legal aspects of citizen engagement in environmental decision-making.

Climate Change Law and Adaptation

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of climate change adaptation policies and strategies.
  • Analyzing the legal implications of carbon pricing mechanisms and emissions trading.
  • Legal challenges in implementing climate change agreements and commitments.
  • The role of litigation in holding governments and corporations accountable for climate actions.
  • The legal aspects of climate-induced migration and displacement.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of climate adaptation finance and funding mechanisms.
  • Legal challenges in promoting nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.
  • The role of climate law in integrating climate resilience into infrastructure planning.
  • The legal implications of climate engineering and geoengineering technologies.
  • The impact of climate change on indigenous rights and legal responses for adaptation.

International Environmental Law and Governance

  • Analyzing the role of international organizations in environmental governance.
  • Legal challenges in enforcing global environmental treaties and agreements.
  • The impact of climate change litigation on international law and policy.
  • The role of soft law in shaping international environmental norms.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of international dispute resolution mechanisms in environmental cases.
  • Legal challenges in addressing environmental crimes and transnational environmental harms.
  • The role of corporate social responsibility in international environmental governance.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of international environmental impact assessments for development projects.
  • The legal aspects of trade and environmental protection in international law.
  • The intersection of human rights and international environmental law.

Emerging Issues in Environmental Law

  • Legal challenges in regulating emerging technologies and their environmental impact.
  • The role of legal frameworks in promoting circular economy practices.
  • Analyzing the legal implications of biotechnology and genetic engineering on the environment.
  • The impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on environmental decision-making.
  • Legal challenges in addressing e-waste and electronic waste management.
  • The role of environmental law in governing nanotechnology applications.
  • Analyzing the legal aspects of ocean governance and marine conservation.
  • Legal challenges in addressing space debris and its impact on the environment.
  • The impact of legal principles on sustainable development in the digital era.
  • The legal aspects of protecting biodiversity in the face of emerging threats.

This comprehensive list of environmental law research paper topics provides a diverse and thought-provoking selection of themes to explore, offering valuable insights into the complex relationship between legal frameworks and environmental issues. Whether you are a student embarking on your research journey or a seasoned scholar seeking new avenues of inquiry, these topics are designed to stimulate critical thinking and foster a deeper understanding of the intricate world of environmental law.

Environmental Law: Exploring the Range of Research Paper Topics

Environmental law is a dynamic and evolving field that encompasses a wide range of legal issues concerning the protection, conservation, and management of the environment. As global concerns about climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss continue to grow, environmental law plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges and shaping policies that promote sustainability. This section delves into the vast array of research paper topics within environmental law, highlighting key areas of interest and discussing the significance of exploring these subjects to address pressing environmental issues.

Climate Change and Mitigation Strategies

One of the most pressing issues in environmental law is climate change, and researchers have a plethora of topics to explore in this domain. Some potential research paper topics include the legal framework for international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement, the role of governments and corporations in climate change mitigation, the impact of climate litigation on policy formulation, and the legal challenges in transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Biodiversity Conservation and Wildlife Protection

Preserving biodiversity and protecting wildlife are essential aspects of environmental law. Researchers can delve into topics such as the legal framework for wildlife protection, the role of national parks and protected areas in biodiversity conservation, the impact of illegal wildlife trafficking on ecosystems, and the legal challenges in regulating bioprospecting and genetic resource exploitation.

Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulation

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are crucial tools for evaluating the potential environmental consequences of development projects. Research papers can focus on the effectiveness of EIAs in different countries, the role of public participation in the EIA process, the legal aspects of strategic environmental assessment, and the challenges in regulating emerging technologies through EIAs.

Pollution Control and Waste Management

Pollution is a significant environmental concern, and environmental law plays a pivotal role in regulating and mitigating its impacts. Researchers can explore topics such as the legal framework for air and water pollution control, the role of liability and compensation in environmental damage cases, the challenges in regulating electronic waste and plastic pollution, and the legal aspects of hazardous waste management.

Natural Resource Management and Conservation

The sustainable management of natural resources is critical for the long-term health of the environment. Research papers can delve into topics such as the legal framework for sustainable forestry and fisheries management, the role of indigenous and local communities in natural resource conservation, the legal challenges in water resource management, and the impact of land use planning on biodiversity conservation.

Environmental Justice and Equity

Environmental law intersects with social justice and equity issues, as certain communities may bear a disproportionate burden of environmental harm. Researchers can explore topics such as environmental racism and its legal implications, the role of environmental impact assessments in addressing environmental justice, the legal challenges in ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for marginalized communities, and the impact of climate change on human rights.

Renewable Energy and Green Technology

The transition to renewable energy sources and green technologies is a critical aspect of addressing climate change. Research papers can focus on topics such as the legal framework for promoting renewable energy projects, the role of intellectual property rights in green technology innovation, the challenges in regulating offshore wind energy, and the legal aspects of carbon capture and storage.

Environmental issues transcend national boundaries, necessitating international cooperation and governance. Researchers can delve into topics such as the legal framework for transboundary pollution control, the role of international organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme, the challenges in enforcing international environmental treaties, and the impact of trade agreements on environmental protection.

Corporate Environmental Responsibility

Corporations play a significant role in environmental impact, and environmental law seeks to regulate their activities responsibly. Research papers can explore topics such as the legal framework for corporate environmental reporting, the role of sustainability certifications and eco-labeling, the challenges in holding corporations accountable for environmental harm, and the impact of green finance initiatives on corporate behavior.

Land Use Planning and Urban Environmental Law

Land use planning and urban development have a profound impact on the environment and human well-being. Researchers can focus on topics such as the legal aspects of urban planning for sustainable cities, the role of environmental zoning and conservation easements in land use regulation, the challenges in balancing urban development with environmental conservation, and the legal implications of green infrastructure projects.

The field of environmental law offers a vast and diverse range of research paper topics, each contributing to a deeper understanding of environmental challenges and the legal mechanisms to address them. From climate change to biodiversity conservation, pollution control to renewable energy, environmental law provides an avenue for researchers to explore innovative solutions and policy frameworks that safeguard the planet’s future. By delving into these research topics, students can make valuable contributions to environmental protection and contribute to a sustainable and resilient world.

How to Choose Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

Choosing the right research paper topic is crucial for a successful and fulfilling academic journey. When it comes to environmental law, selecting a relevant and engaging research topic is not only essential for earning good grades but also for making a meaningful contribution to the field. Here are some valuable tips to help you navigate the process of choosing environmental law research paper topics that align with your interests, academic goals, and the current environmental challenges:

  • Identify Your Passion and Interests : Passion is the driving force behind exceptional research. Begin by reflecting on the aspects of environmental law that pique your interest the most. Consider whether you are more intrigued by climate change, wildlife conservation, pollution control, or any other specific area within environmental law. Identifying your passion will make the research process more enjoyable and motivate you to delve deeper into the topic.
  • Stay Updated with Current Environmental Issues : Environmental law is constantly evolving to address new challenges and emerging issues. Keep yourself informed about the latest environmental developments, global climate conferences, landmark legal cases, and policy changes. Staying up-to-date with current environmental issues will help you identify relevant and timely research topics that have real-world implications.
  • Consider the Practical Implications : An essential aspect of environmental law research is understanding how legal frameworks translate into practical applications. Evaluate how your chosen topic impacts communities, industries, ecosystems, and global sustainability efforts. Research topics that have tangible and practical implications are likely to generate greater interest and contribute to meaningful discussions.
  • Review Previous Research : Before finalizing your research topic, conduct a thorough literature review of existing studies in environmental law. Analyze the gaps in the literature and identify areas that require further exploration. Building upon existing research can provide a solid foundation for your own work and ensure its relevance in the field.
  • Seek Guidance from Professors and Experts : Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your professors, advisors, or other experts in environmental law. They can offer valuable insights, suggest potential research topics, and help you refine your ideas. Engaging in discussions with knowledgeable individuals can lead to fresh perspectives and help you choose a research topic aligned with current academic interests.
  • Balance Complexity and Feasibility : While it’s essential to select a research topic that challenges you intellectually, be mindful of the practical constraints of your project. Ensure that the research topic is feasible within the given time frame and resources. Striking a balance between complexity and feasibility will lead to a well-executed and comprehensive research paper.
  • Consider Comparative Studies : Comparative studies in environmental law allow you to analyze legal frameworks and their effectiveness in different countries or regions. Investigating how various jurisdictions address similar environmental issues can provide valuable insights and open doors for cross-cultural learning.
  • Emphasize Interdisciplinary Approaches : Environmental law is inherently interdisciplinary, encompassing elements of science, economics, policy, and ethics. Consider topics that allow you to explore these interdisciplinary connections. For instance, you can investigate the economic impact of environmental regulations, the ethical implications of wildlife conservation policies, or the scientific basis for climate change mitigation strategies.
  • Evaluate the Policy Implications : Environmental law research often has a policy-oriented focus. Analyze how your chosen research topic aligns with existing policies or how it can influence policy formulation. Understanding the policy implications of your research will add practical significance to your work.
  • Brainstorm and Refine : Take the time to brainstorm multiple research ideas and then refine them gradually. Discuss your potential topics with peers and instructors to get feedback and suggestions. The iterative process of brainstorming and refining will lead you to a well-defined and compelling research paper topic.

Selecting an environmental law research paper topic is an important and exciting step in your academic journey. By identifying your passion, staying updated with current environmental issues, considering practical implications, and seeking guidance from experts, you can choose a research topic that not only interests you but also contributes meaningfully to the field of environmental law. Remember to balance complexity and feasibility, explore interdisciplinary connections, and evaluate the policy implications of your chosen topic. With thoughtful consideration and dedication, you can embark on a rewarding research endeavor that advances environmental law knowledge and addresses critical environmental challenges.

How to Write an Environmental Law Research Paper

Writing an environmental law research paper requires a systematic approach and a keen understanding of legal concepts, environmental issues, and academic writing conventions. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a student new to the field, mastering the art of crafting an effective research paper is essential to convey your findings and insights convincingly. Here are ten essential tips to guide you through the process of writing a compelling and well-structured environmental law research paper:

  • Conduct Thorough Research : Begin your environmental law research paper by conducting in-depth research on your chosen topic. Utilize academic journals, books, reputable websites, and legal databases to gather relevant and credible information. Analyze previous studies, court cases, and legislation related to your topic to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
  • Outline Your Paper : Creating a clear and organized outline is fundamental to the success of your research paper. Develop a well-structured outline that includes the introduction, thesis statement, main arguments, supporting evidence, counterarguments, and conclusion. A well-crafted outline will serve as a roadmap, ensuring your paper flows logically and cohesively.
  • Craft a Strong Introduction : The introduction is the gateway to your research paper. It should provide essential background information on the topic, state the purpose of the study, and present your thesis statement. A compelling introduction captures the reader’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the paper.
  • Develop a Strong Thesis Statement : The thesis statement is the central argument of your research paper. It should be clear, concise, and specific, outlining the main point you aim to prove or discuss. Ensure that your thesis statement reflects the scope of your research and aligns with your chosen environmental law topic.
  • Use Clear and Precise Language : Environmental law research papers require clarity and precision in language. Avoid jargon and use straightforward terms to communicate complex legal concepts and environmental issues. Clearly define any legal terms or specialized vocabulary to ensure your readers understand the content.
  • Support Your Arguments with Evidence : As you present your main arguments, back them up with relevant and credible evidence. Cite case law, legislation, expert opinions, and empirical data to support your claims. Properly referenced evidence strengthens the credibility of your research and demonstrates your thorough understanding of the subject matter.
  • Address Counterarguments : Anticipate potential counterarguments to your thesis and address them in your paper. Acknowledging counterarguments and offering thoughtful responses demonstrate critical thinking and strengthen the overall argument of your research paper.
  • Analyze and Interpret Data : If your research involves data analysis, take the time to interpret the results accurately. Present your findings in a clear and organized manner, using charts, graphs, or tables if necessary. Analyze the implications of your data on environmental law and draw well-supported conclusions.
  • Discuss Policy and Practical Implications : Environmental law research often involves exploring policy implications. Discuss how your research findings can influence or inform environmental policy, regulation, or legal frameworks. Consider the practical implications of your research and offer recommendations for addressing environmental challenges.
  • Write a Convincing Conclusion : In your conclusion, summarize the key points of your research and restate your thesis statement. Emphasize the significance of your findings and how they contribute to the broader field of environmental law. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion and end with a thought-provoking final remark.

Writing an environmental law research paper demands careful research, meticulous planning, and effective communication of ideas. By following these ten tips, you can craft a compelling and well-structured research paper that not only showcases your knowledge of environmental law but also makes a valuable contribution to the field. Remember to proofread your paper thoroughly and adhere to citation guidelines to ensure academic integrity. With diligence and attention to detail, you can produce a high-quality environmental law research paper that showcases your expertise and passion for the subject.

iResearchNet’s Custom Research Paper Writing Services

At iResearchNet, we understand the challenges that students face when tasked with writing complex and comprehensive environmental law research papers. As a dedicated academic writing company, we are committed to providing students with high-quality, custom-written research papers that meet their unique requirements and exceed their expectations. Our team of expert writers, all holding advanced degrees in law and related fields, possesses the knowledge and expertise to tackle a wide range of environmental law topics. When you choose iResearchNet’s custom environmental law research paper writing services, you can rest assured that you will receive a well-researched, well-structured, and meticulously crafted paper that aligns with the highest academic standards.

  • Expert Degree-Holding Writers : Our team of writers consists of legal experts who hold advanced degrees in environmental law and related fields. With their vast knowledge and experience, they can deliver well-informed and authoritative research papers.
  • Custom Written Works : We believe in the uniqueness of each research paper. Our writers craft every paper from scratch, tailoring it to your specific requirements and ensuring that it is entirely original and plagiarism-free.
  • In-Depth Research : To provide you with a comprehensive and well-supported environmental law research paper, our writers conduct extensive research using reputable sources and up-to-date academic materials.
  • Custom Formatting : Our writers are well-versed in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. They will format your research paper according to your preferred style or any other specified guidelines.
  • Top Quality : At iResearchNet, quality is our priority. We aim to deliver research papers that not only meet but exceed your expectations, earning you top grades and accolades from your instructors.
  • Customized Solutions : We understand that each research paper has unique requirements. Our writers take the time to understand your specific needs and tailor the paper to address your research objectives effectively.
  • Flexible Pricing : We offer competitive pricing packages to accommodate the budget of every student. Our pricing is transparent, and there are no hidden fees.
  • Short Deadlines : Facing a tight deadline? Our writers thrive under pressure and can deliver high-quality research papers within three hours, ensuring you never miss a deadline.
  • Timely Delivery : We understand the importance of timely submissions. With our efficient writing process, you can expect your custom environmental law research paper to be delivered on time, allowing you ample time for review and revisions.
  • 24/7 Support : Our customer support team is available round-the-clock to address your queries, concerns, and provide assistance at any stage of the writing process.
  • Absolute Privacy : We prioritize your privacy and confidentiality. Your personal information and order details are handled securely, and we never disclose any sensitive information to third parties.
  • Easy Order Tracking : Stay informed about the progress of your research paper with our user-friendly order tracking system. You can easily communicate with your assigned writer and monitor the status of your paper.
  • Money-Back Guarantee : We are confident in the quality of our work. If you are not satisfied with the delivered paper, we offer a money-back guarantee to ensure your peace of mind.

Choosing iResearchNet’s custom environmental law research paper writing services is the right step towards achieving academic success. With our team of dedicated writers and comprehensive features, you can submit a well-crafted and thoroughly researched paper that impresses your instructors and earns you the grades you deserve. Let us be your academic partner in the journey of environmental law research and writing, and unlock your true potential with our exceptional services.

Choose iResearchNet for Your Research Paper!

Are you ready to take your environmental law research to new heights? Unlock the full potential of your academic journey with iResearchNet’s unparalleled writing services. Our team of expert writers, well-versed in the intricacies of environmental law, is eager to assist you in crafting a compelling and well-researched research paper that stands out from the rest.

Whether you are struggling to choose a topic, need guidance on structuring your paper, or facing a tight deadline, we have the solutions to all your academic challenges. By entrusting your environmental law research paper to our skilled professionals, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will undoubtedly elevate the quality and impact of your work.

Don’t let the challenges of environmental law research hinder your academic progress. Embrace the opportunity to work with iResearchNet and experience the difference that expert assistance can make. Unlock the full potential of your environmental law research and set yourself on the path to academic success. Place your order today and take the first step towards achieving your academic goals!

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

environmental policy research paper topics

Mental Health, Substance Use, and Child Maltreatment

Child maltreatment is a pressing concern in the United States, with more than four million children referred to child protective services in 2022. Reducing child maltreatment is a national health objective given the substantial, negative consequences for children who experience maltreatment, both in the short- and long-term. Parental mental health and substance use disorders are strongly associated with child maltreatment. In this study, we use administrative data over the period 2004 to 2021 to study the relationship between the number of mental health and substance use treatment centers per county and child maltreatment reports. Our findings provide evidence that better access to mental health and substance use treatment reduces child maltreatment reports. In particular, an 8% increase in the supply of treatment would reduce maltreatment reports by 1%. These findings suggest that recent and ongoing efforts by the federal government to expand mental health and substance use treatment availability may lead to reduced child maltreatment.

All authors contributed equally to this study. Authors are listed in alphabetical order. Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 1R01MH132552 (PI: Johanna Catherine Maclean). Dr. Meinhofer acknowledges support from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts GR00015582 and the National Institute on Drug Abuse K01DA051777. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Institutes of Health or the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts. We thank Douglas Webber and Jiaxin Wei for excellent comments. All errors are our own. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

MARC RIS BibTeΧ

Download Citation Data

More from NBER

In addition to working papers , the NBER disseminates affiliates’ latest findings through a range of free periodicals — the NBER Reporter , the NBER Digest , the Bulletin on Retirement and Disability , the Bulletin on Health , and the Bulletin on Entrepreneurship  — as well as online conference reports , video lectures , and interviews .

2024, 16th Annual Feldstein Lecture, Cecilia E. Rouse," Lessons for Economists from the Pandemic" cover slide

IMAGES

  1. environmental-research-proposal-topics-list.pdf

    environmental policy research paper topics

  2. Climate Change Essay.docx

    environmental policy research paper topics

  3. 180+ Excellent Environmental Essay Topics and Ideas

    environmental policy research paper topics

  4. Environmental Policy Research Paper by Daniel's Projects and Papers

    environmental policy research paper topics

  5. 34+ SAMPLE Environmental Policy Statement Templates in PDF

    environmental policy research paper topics

  6. ⚡ Good environmental research topics. 120 Best Environmental Speech

    environmental policy research paper topics

VIDEO

  1. Exploring Environmental Policy in the Philippines: A Detailed Overview

  2. Why Environmental Policy Matters: Unveiling its Significance and Impact

  3. INTERPOL Environmental Security Programme

  4. Environmental Studies Question Paper

  5. Which US counties Are Most Vulnerable in the Energy Transition?

  6. Compolytics Polymer and Policy Research Paper, Journal of Ecological Economics, August 2021

COMMENTS

  1. 100+ Environmental Science Research Topics

    Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry. The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment. The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change. The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture.

  2. 500+ Environmental Research Topics

    Environmental Research Topics. Environmental Research Topics are as follows: Climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and society. The effectiveness of carbon capture and storage technology. The role of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems. The impact of human activity on soil quality. The impact of plastic pollution on marine life.

  3. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy

    Spencer Banzhaf. Published for the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists and. the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists. Volume 18, Number 1. Winter 2024.

  4. (PDF) Current Environmental Issues and Emerging Global Challenges in

    Athanasios Valavanidis. Department of Chemist ry, National and Kapodistrian University of At hens, University Campus Zografou, 15784 A thens, Greece. E-mail : [email protected]. Ab stract ...

  5. Top 150 Environmental Science Research Topics

    Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics On Environmental Health And Toxicology. Air Quality and Human Health. Water Contamination and Public Health. Pesticides and Human Exposure. Heavy Metals and Health Impacts. Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment. Occupational Health in Hazardous Environments. Environmental Carcinogens and Risks.

  6. Climate, energy and environmental policy

    2. Climate, energy and environmental policy. By Alec Tyson, Brian Kennedy and Cary Funk. A majority of Americans consider climate change a priority today so that future generations can have a sustainable planet, and this view is held across generations. Looking to the future, the public is closely divided on what it will take to address climate ...

  7. Environmental Policy and Governance

    Environmental Policy and Governance. Environmental Policy and Governance is an environmental politics journal publishing interdisciplinary environmental research to support novel solutions in environmental governance and policy issues. We welcome studies in diverse developmental and environmental contexts conducted at local to global scales.

  8. Environmental Policy and Innovation: A Decade of Research

    Working Paper 25631. DOI 10.3386/w25631. Issue Date March 2019. Innovation is an important part of environmental policy, and encouraging innovation is often an explicit goal of policymakers. A large literature in environmental economics examines the links between environmental policy and innovation.

  9. OECD Environment Policy Papers

    Designed for a wide readership, the OECD Environment Policy Papers distil many of today's environment-related policy issues based on a wide range of OECD work. In the form of country case studies or thematic reviews across countries, the Papers highlight practical implementation experience. They are available in either English or French, with ...

  10. Sustainability

    Enterprises are not only the main source of energy consumption and pollution emissions but also a key force in environmental governance. There is no doubt that the positive impact of enterprise environmental protection investment (EPI) on other stakeholders, but the impact on its own economic performance is the key to determining the scale of EPI and increasing the motivation for Eco-autonomy ...

  11. Environmental Policy Research Paper Topics

    The field of environmental policy is vast and diverse, offering a multitude of topics for research. This section provides a comprehensive list of environmental policy research paper topics, divided into ten categories with ten topics in each. These topics span a wide range of issues, from policy analysis and international environmental policy ...

  12. Environmental Research Paper Topics

    This comprehensive list of environmental research paper topics provides a starting point for your research journey. Whether your interest lies in climate change, pollution, conservation, sustainable development, environmental policy, environmental education, environmental health, environmental justice, environmental technology, or environmental ...

  13. 50 Best Environmental Science Research Topics

    2) Renewable Energy. Renewable energy is another fairly mainstream topic in which there is much to learn and research. Although scientists have identified many forms of sustainable energy, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, questions remain about how to best implement these energy sources.

  14. Environmental Issues Research Paper Topics

    This comprehensive list of environmental issues research paper topics provides a wide range of areas to choose from for your research. The topics cover major environmental issues, from climate change and air pollution to biodiversity loss and overpopulation. Each of these topics can be explored from various angles, providing a rich source of ...

  15. 235 Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas for Papers

    Environmental Policy Research Paper Topics. Environmental policy is a set of laws, rules, and regulations created to protect the environment as well as its resources. Studying environment-related policies provides an area for students to explore a range of subjects related to the environment, ranging from local to global. ...

  16. Industrial Composition of Syndicated Loans and Banks' Climate

    Read the research here. More from NBER In addition to working papers , the NBER disseminates affiliates' latest findings through a range of free periodicals — the NBER Reporter , the NBER Digest , the Bulletin on Retirement and Disability , the Bulletin on Health , and the Bulletin on Entrepreneurship — as well as online conference ...

  17. 20+ Interesting Environmental Research Paper Topics and Ideas

    Your paper can focus on an environmental issue, law, economics, engineering, health and safety, and policy. Below are some topic ideas on these key areas: Industrial facilities' impact on water resources: assessing their role in human disease proliferation. Examining the contributions of waste disposal and pesticide utilization to soil ...

  18. Environmental Topics

    EPA's Research Efforts to Protect Public and Environmental Health from Wildland Fire Smoke. Stay informed, stay prepared, and we can mitigate the effects and challenges of wildland fire smoke together. Date: July 22, 2024. By: Jason Sacks, Sarah Coefield.

  19. Energies

    The definition, characterization and implementation of Positive Energy Districts is crucial in the path towards urban decarbonization and energy transition. However, several issues still must be addressed: the need for a clear and comprehensive definition, and the settlement of a consistent design approach for Positive Energy Districts. As emerged throughout the workshop held during the fourth ...

  20. Top 100 Environmental Science Project Topics

    6 Environmental Science Topics for College Students. 7 Energy Resources and Consumption. 8 Population. 9 Noise and Light Pollution. 10 Conservation Biology. 10.1 Conclusion. With the environment and global warming in its current predicament, it's no surprise that environmental science job opportunities will be on the rise in the very near ...

  21. Too Much of a Good Thing? How Narrow Targeting and Policy Interactions

    California has the highest Earned Income Tax (EITC) supplement to the federal EITC, with an 85% supplement rate. However, we find that despite the apparent generosity of the California EITC, there is no employment effect on less-skilled single mothers, in sharp contrast to the evidence of positive extensive margin effects of other state EITC supplements, and of the federal EITC.

  22. Environmental Economics Research Paper Topics

    These environmental economics research paper topics cover a wide range of issues in the field of environmental economics, from policy and law to energy and agriculture. They provide a starting point for your research and can be tailored to fit your specific interests and the requirements of your assignment. Remember, choosing the right topic is ...

  23. A better understanding of climate change: Researchers study cloud

    Their research has been published in a European Geosciences Union paper. ... View all the latest top news in the environmental sciences, or browse the topics below: Plants & Animals.

  24. Countering Disinformation Effectively: An Evidence-Based Policy Guide

    Additional research on this topic—for example, exploring figures other than Trump and metrics beyond spread of the post—would be valuable, because extremely prominent individuals are often responsible for a disproportionate amount of disinformation. Like other interventions, labeling can sometimes have perverse effects.

  25. Self-, Peer-, and Teacher Perceptions under School Tracking

    We examine student, teacher, and peer perceptions of effort, ability, performance, and self-confidence in Romania's highly tracked schools. We find that: (1) students just above a cutoff—tracked into high-achieving classes—have less favorable self-perceptions than those just below ("big-fish-little-pond" effects); (2) students perceive peers in their classes more favorably ("in ...

  26. September National Health Observances: Healthy Aging, Sickle Cell

    Each month, we feature select National Health Observances (NHOs) that align with our priorities for improving health across the nation. In September, we're raising awareness about healthy aging, sickle cell disease, substance use recovery, and HIV/AIDS. Below, you'll find resources to help you spread the word about these NHOs with your audiences.

  27. Environmental Justice Research Paper Topics

    100 Environmental Justice Research Paper Topics. Environmental justice is a significant and dynamic field of study. It intersects with various disciplines, including law, policy, public health, urban planning, and climate science. The following comprehensive list of environmental justice research paper topics is divided into ten categories ...

  28. Capital Controls on Outflows: New Evidence and a Theoretical Framework

    We study capital controls on outflows (CCOs) in situations of macroeconomic and financial distress. We present novel empirical evidence indicating that CCO implementation is associated with crises and declines in GDP growth. We then develop a theoretical framework that is consistent with such ...

  29. Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

    100 Environmental Law Research Paper Topics. Environmental law encompasses a wide array of legal issues related to the protection and preservation of our planet's natural resources and ecosystems. This comprehensive list of environmental law research paper topics is designed to inspire students and researchers alike to explore the intricate ...

  30. Mental Health, Substance Use, and Child Maltreatment

    Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, and business professionals.