Marine Litter on Mediterranean Beaches Triples in Summer

The Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) analyses and quantifies the waste generated by tourists in eight islands of the Mediterranean as part of the European BLUEISLANDS project.

Mapping the Urban Vitality of Barcelona

Researchers at the UAB have mapped Barcelona and and 9 surrounding towns using a new methodology based on urbanism activist Jane Jacobs' ideas on how cities should be configured to become vital spaces: 25% of the area is classified as having high vitality.

ICTA-UAB Gathers Worldwide Experts on Degrowth and Environmental Justice

ICTA-UAB is organizing the fifth edition of the Summer School on Degrowth and Environmental Justice from June 24 to July 6.

Agricultural intensification not a “blueprint” for sustainable development

Social and ecological results of increased agricultural intensification are not as positive as expected.

Tracking the battles for environmental justice: here are the world’s top 10

Today is World Environment Day. Environmental conflicts should not be seen as disruptions to smooth governance, fixable with market solutions, technology or police bullets.

Green urban planning must consider social equity criteria

Cities that do not include social equity criteria into their political strategies to make their urban environment greener and more ecological will not achieve long-term sustainability and risk creating green enclaves only for the social elite.

The ICTA-UAB alerts of a new invasive Asian beetle pest in Catalonia that kills mulberry trees

A study by researcher of the ICTA-UAB and the Department of Agriculture Víctor Sarto i Monteys has identified in the province of Barcelona the presence of a species from Asia that could spread through Europe.

More than 120 ICTA-UAB researchers addressed environmental challenges at a symposium, especially those arising from global and...

The Institut of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) organized its 1st Spring Symposium with the aim of addressing some of the main environmental and sustainability challenges.

Low-carbon energy transition requires more renewables than previously thought

A new study by ICTA-UAB analyzes the impacts on lifestyles of substituting fossil fuels for cleaner energies.

Are Farmers Who Belong to Local User Associations Better Adapted to Climate Change?

Droughts, floods and high temperatures derived from climate change are not the only threats that farmers with irrigated crops must face.

Climate Change Threatens World's Largest Seagrass Carbon Stores

Shark Bay seagrass carbon storage hotspot suffers alarming losses after a devastating marine heat wave, according to a study led by ICTA-UAB researchers.

Amazon's indigenous people hunt animals feeding in areas contaminated by oil spills

A study by the ICTA-UAB and the UAB Department of Animal Health and Anatomy demonstrates that the main species hunted by the indigenous popoulations of the Peruvian Amazon ingest water and soil contaminated with hidrocarbons and heavy metals.

The new Planttes app warns of allergy risks in different urban areas

The Planttes application is a citizen science project which aims to encourage people to identify and locate on a map the existence of allergy-causing plants and indicate their phenological state.

Global climate treaty easier to negotiate if guided by Human Development Index

A study by ICTA-UAB concludes that agreements against climate change would be more attractive to rich countries if they were analyzed taking into account the Human Development Index, instead of GDP.

New Project to Link Extreme Weather Events, Atmospheric Biodiversity and Human Health

A new ICTA-UAB project led by researcher Jordina Belmonte will study the effects of extreme meteorological events on the biological biodiversity present in the atmosphere in order to predict changes in the environment and possible affectations on human health.

ICTA-UAB’s success: five ERC grants in two years

The Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) has been awarded five European Research Council (ERC) grants in two years, which is about ten per cent of all ERC grants arriving in Catalonia over the period from the end of 2015 to the end of 2017.

Scientists Alert of Swift Degradation of Marine Ecosystems and Grave Consequences for the Planet

A book edited by researchers from the ICTA-UAB, the UB, the CNRS and the IEO addresses the concept of "animal forest" and highlights the importance of the role seas and oceans have in combating climate change.

Research to study the health effects of forests

The ICTA-UAB, CREAF and the "la Caixa" Bank Foundation recently presented the project "Healthy Forests for a Healthy Society".

Launch of the Alliance of Severo Ochoa Centres and Maria de Maeztu Units of Excellence

​ The Secretary of State for R&D+i, Carmen Vela, chaired the kickoff meeting of the new Severo Ochoa and Maria Maeztu Alliance of Excellence.

New ICTA-UAB 'Welcome Guide'

The new ICTA-UAB 'Welcome Guide' it is at your disposal now. With this document, we aim to help you discover the basics of the PhD programme, ICTA-UAB’s structure, etc.
Education

ICTA offers two masters and one doctoral (PhD) programme. They reflect an interdisciplinary approach, within which students can chose the learning trajectory that best fits their interests and capabilities. The PhD programme has been awarded the official quality label of the Spanish government.

One of the themes that receives much attention in education is Climate change and climate policy.

The Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability is a UAB cross-disciplinary and inter-departmental initiative with an international focus. The MSc has a flexible study program that offers not only advanced level studies for graduates in Environmental Sciences, but also added value for many other graduates who want to develop an environmental profile in their CV.
The Joint European Master in Environmental Studies: Cities and Sustainability (JEMES CiSu) is offered by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain), Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg (Germany; coordinating institution), Universidade de Aveiro (Portugal) and Aalborg University (Denmark). These four leading European universities have joined forces to provide an integrated, state-of-the-art technological and management education.
The PhD in Environmental Science and Technology is a UAB program adapted to the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA), leading to an EU officially recognized doctoral degree. The PhD candidate develops a doctoral dissertation supervised by at least one member of ICTA's staff while an internal scientific committee monitors her/his progress annually. ICTA allows PhD students to have co-supervisor(s) from other Spanish or international research institutions.
La Agroecología es una propuesta triple como disciplina científica, conjunto de prácticas de manejo agrario y movimiento social. Se ocupa del creciente papel de las cuestiones agroalimentarias en la agenda social local y global, a través de la construcción de soluciones alternativas frente a la pérdida de sostenibilidad en el sistema agroalimentario industrial y globalizado. En la escala local, trata cuestiones relacionadas con la cohesión territorial y social en los medios rural y urbano, y de las relaciones entre ambos mundos. A través de la reconstrucción de la cadena alimentaria desde un enfoque de equidad social y justicia ambiental, la perspectiva agroecológica plantea modelos de transición social y ecológica que trascienden la alimentación. Plantea nuevos proyectos de sostenibilidad ligados al territorio y a la capacidad de las comunidades locales de decidir cómo y con qué finalidad se gestionan algunos de los bienes comunes más básicos, como la alimentación, la tierra, las semillas o el agua.

ICTA regulary offers additional training to its PhD students, and invites other doctoral students from abroad to participate in summer schools or advanced seminars on diferent topics that relate to our Research Areas and themes.

ICTA's Activities