ESGO is a section within the Department of Environmental Science at Aarhus University that specializes in environmental economics, governance, sociology, geography, and policy analysis. ESGO offers research, teaching, and public advisory services.
Central research topics include pathways, practices, behavioural aspects, costs/benefit analysis, and efficient policies and incentives for societal transitions in land use, urban environments, and energy consumption. These are linked to endpoint effects on human health, climate, air and water quality, soil, landscape, and biodiversity.
The section focuses on empirical topics such as greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation, water quality, waste handling, nature-based solutions, and pesticide management, carrying out interdisciplinary research on environmental regulation, and ecosystem services, including mapping, modelling, and land use assessments.
The staff has a strong track record in attracting external funding, especially EU funding.
ESGO collaborates with numerous research organizations, authorities, and cities at an international level, and maintains contracts with the Danish Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries for advisory services on environmental economics and geography.
The unit is very international and employs approximately 25 staff.
Researchers who are active in the EfD network:
Anders Branth Pedersen
Jessica Coria
Tenaw G. Abate
Ville Inkinen
Seynabou Toure
Julian R. Massenberg
Anne Jensen
Doan Nainggolan
Marianne Zanders