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Climate Change

There is no Planet B. Learn how climate change is affecting our lives and how by studying at the University of Waikato, you can make a difference.

Climate change is the most pressing environmental issue facing humanity, affecting every facet of the world around us.

While climate change is an incredibly complex problem, the solution is very simple - we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This requires a fundamental shift in the way we do business and go about our lives.

Our world-first Bachelor of Climate Change degree is a unique and flexible qualification, which will arm you with the knowledge and expertise to help solve this complex, global issue. We urgently need people from all walks of life who can contribute their expertise to develop effective climate change solutions that span its scientific, social, cultural, economic and political dimensions. This is a degree with a difference that will ensure you take up your place in the workforce as a climate-informed citizen.

For students wanting to enrol in one of our more traditional qualifications, you can also complete one or more elective papers in the area of climate change. A selection of these papers is given in the section below.

Apply to enrol

Career opportunities

  • Analyst
  • Anthropologist
  • Biodiversity manager
  • Climate action specialist
  • Climate change manager
  • Community educator
  • Consultant
  • Data analyst
  • Ecologist
  • Economist
  • Environmental scientist
  • Foreign affairs advisor
  • Iwi advisor
  • Media advisor
  • Policy Analyst
  • Political scientist
  • Politician
  • Planner
  • Public relations expert
  • Sustainability consultant

100 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ARTSC106Critical Social Science Research: The Crisis of Climate Change15.023B (Hamilton) & 23B (Online)
This paper is an introduction to critical social science research in Aotearoa New Zealand. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach spanning Indigenous and Feminist studies, political science and sociology, and is organised around the case study of climate change.
CLIMT101Introduction to Climate Change Science - Pūtaiao Huringa Āhuarangi15.023A (Hamilton), 23A (Online), 23A (Tauranga) & 23X (Secondary School - Unistart)
An overview of the scientific basis of climate change with emphasis on understanding climate change mitigation and adaptation. He tirohanga whanui no tenei pepa i te tuapapa o te putaiao o te huringa ahuarangi. He nui te aro ki te whakamauru me te takatu o te huringa ahuarangi.
CLIMT103Arts Activism in a Changing Environment15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper introduces the role of arts in environmental, climate change and social activism through critical discussion of performances, events and art objects, and the complexities of communication and media representation.
CLIMT104Introduction to Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies: The Climate Change Crisis15.023B (Hamilton) & 23B (Online)
This course examines Maori, Pacific and Indigenous peoples' philosophies and relationships with land, language, culture and resources, with a particular focus on understanding the climate change crisis.
CSMAX101The World of Data15.023B (Hamilton)
This paper teaches students how to build datasets for analysis in health science, and critically evaluate and effectively present the results of such analyses, using commonly used software such as Excel, R, and SPSS. Students are introduced to issues of privacy, and cultural considerations for Maori and Indigenous health.

200 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
BUSAN205Data Analytics with Business Applications15.023A (Hamilton), 23B (Hamilton), 23B (Tauranga), 23G (Hamilton), 23VA (National Economics University, Vietnam) & 23X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper introduces various data analytical methods and illustrates their business and economics applications, showing how to use data to communicate more convincingly and to produce better-informed business decisions.
CLIMT201Climate Change Modelling, Impacts and Adaptation15.023B (Hamilton)
The physical science basis of climate change models is explored, with an emphasis on understanding the projected climate change risk profile of Aotearoa. Case studies will be used to illustrate possible adaptation strategies in various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and the built environment.
CLIMT202Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Responses to Climate Change15.023B (Hamilton)
An analysis of how Maori, Pacific and Indigenous communities respond, adapt and mitigate the challenges presented by climate change drawing on indigenous theoretical approaches and relationships with land, oceans, culture, resources, development and political frameworks within settler-colonial states and Pacific nations and others....

Doreen Huang For me the highlights were the opportunities to work with world-leading academics in soil science, the moments to spend with friendly and open-minded colleagues for scientific discussions and the unforgettable field trips to Taupo and many other study sites.

Read stories from other Climate Change students


Scholarships and prizes

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

Find your scholarship


Code Paper Title

EARTH101

Introduction to Earth System Sciences

EARTH231

Water Resources, Weather and Climate

ECONS307

Economics of Land, Water and Environment

ENVPL101

Future Cities

ENVPL303

Environmental Assessment and Policy

ENVSC101

Environmental Science

ENVSC202

Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry

LEGAL407

Climate Change Law

LEGAL432

Energy Law

LEGAL434

Environmental Law

LEGAL466

International Environmental Law

POLCY318

Global Environmental Politics and Policy