Forschungsinstitut für Nachhaltigkeit Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam

Elizabeth Dirth

Elizabeth Dirth

Fellow

Prior to joining IASS, Elizabeth Dirth worked as a Researcher and Lecturer for the Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development at Utrecht University teaching courses on issues of governance for sustainable development. Her research focus is on the implementation of concepts of equity and justice in environmental governance. She is also currently the Managing Editor of a new open access journal, Earth System Governance, and the Network Coordinator for the Planetary Justice Taskforce of the Earth System Governance Project.

Before moving into research, Elizabeth spent five years working on capacity building and policy integration with local government and the public sector more generally as well as with community organizations in Scotland. During this period, working specifically to bridge the gap between international, national and sub-national level policy and implementation on climate change. She also has worked as a freelance consultant on a range of topics, from EU governance for sustainable development, to project planning and development for local climate change projects. Elizabeth is also a co-founder of the 2050 Climate Group, and currently remains a Trustee on the Board of this Scotland-based NGO. She held the position of founding Vice Chair from 2014 to 2016 and Chair from 2016 to 2017. During this time she led the organization's rapid development to an internationally recognized and award-winning NGO in under three years of operation. She continues to lead the organization's international engagement work.

  • 2017 - 2019: Researcher and Lecturer at Utrecht University
  • 2014 - 2017: Climate Change and Sustainability Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful
  • 2013 - 2014: Sustainability Coordinator at University of the West of Scotland
  • 2013 - Present: Trustee of 2050 Climate Group, former Chair and co-founder

  • Justice and equity
  • Climate governance and politics
  • Engaging with the future
  • Stakeholder engagament, participation and facilitation

Publikationen am RIFS

Publikationen vor der Tätigkeit am RIFS

Research:

  • Dirth, E. (Forthcoming) Governance for Future Generations.
  • Dirth, E., Biermann, F., Kalfagianni, A. (Forthcoming) What do we mean when we talk about Justice? An analysis of the narratives of Planetary Justice used in environmental governance research.
  • Dirth, E., Feola, G., Hegger, D., van der Hel, S., Kim, R., Mees, H., Vervoort, J., Wardekker, A. (Forthcoming) Who governs societal transformations? Taking stock and looking forward.

Examples of Other Output:

  • Dirth, E. (2016) Policy Analysis of the Paris Agreement in relation to Scottish Climate Change Action, Report. Network of Institutions for Future Generations (2018) NIFG 2018 Report. (contributor)

2017

  • UN Conference of the Parties Side Event Organizer, Chair and Speaker at COP21, 22, and 23
  • Closing Keynote Speaker, European Climate Change Adaptation Conference
  • TedX Talk, University of Glasgow.

2016

  • Keynote Address and Conference Chair, Youth Climate Summit.
  • Scottish Labour Party Conference Presentation, Public Presentation.

2015

  • Keynote Address, Scotland Climate Summit

2014

  • Keynote Address and Conference Chair, Youth Climate Summit.

Individual Awards

  • 2018 Utrecht University Best Master's Thesis 2017/18 Academic Year Award
  • 2017 Geoscienes Bright Minds Award Winner for Academic Achievement
  • 2017 Shortlisted for First Women's Young Achiever of the Year Award
  • 2012 Westfield Trust Prize for Excellence in Overall Academic Achievement

Project or Organisational Awards

  • 2018 - Young Pioneers Award Winner (2050 Climate Group) in The Herald Global Game Changers
  • 2017 - National Winner for UK (2050 Climate Group) in Energy Globe Awards
  • 2017 - Contribution to Skills Award (2050 Climate Group) in Scottish Green Energy Awards
  • 2017 - Shortlisted for NGO of the Year (2050 Climate Group) in BusinessGreen Leaders Awards
  • 2016 - Community Engagement Award Winner (2050 Climate Group) Scottish Power Foundation Awards
  • 2016 - Innovation Award Runner-Up (2050 Climate Group) Scottish Power Foundation Awards
  • 2014 - Green Futures Innovation for Engagement Award (University of the West of Scotland) NUS