On April 7, Harvard announced a new study track called “Energy, Climate, and the Environment” (ENCE) set to start in the 2026-27 academic year. Faculty members voted overwhelmingly for this interdisciplinary program, showing strong support for the need to tackle climate change.
ENCE will allow students to explore a range of climate-related issues using perspectives from science, engineering, sociology, economics, and ethics. James Stock, the Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability, emphasized that this program aligns with Harvard’s mission to help students connect ideas and address major societal challenges. He stated, “In 2026, climate change will pose significant challenges and tests.”
Professor Lene Hau played a key role in developing ENCE, collaborating with other faculty members. In an interview, she shared that many students expressed feelings of anxiety about climate issues, feeling they lacked opportunities to effect change. “They felt they had no agency,” Hau noted.
Creating this program was a collaborative effort. Hau mentioned hosting events like “burrito nights” and coffee chats to gather input from students over the past four and a half years. “We have built a community,” she said.
The program is structured around four main themes: Nature, Ethics, and the Human Imagination; Science and Engineering for Sustainable Solutions; Markets, Politics, and Societies; and Climate and Biodiversity. Hau stressed the importance of collaboration across disciplines, stating, “We can’t solve climate challenges in isolation.”
Students will begin with a shared introductory course and then dive deeper into their chosen tracks. They can also customize their learning paths, allowing them to stay adaptable as new climate issues arise. Hau explained, “Students will become experts in one area while gaining knowledge in others.”
This past spring, the introductory course ENCE-10 was offered to test the program’s approach, blending insights from various departments, including applied physics and history. It aimed to prepare students for real-world climate challenges.
As a capstone, students will engage in a project addressing a contemporary climate issue. Hau underscored that the program is focused on finding solutions and preparing students to be significant contributors after graduation.
ENCE builds on existing climate programs at Harvard, such as an environmental fellowship and various extracurricular groups, enriching the university’s offerings rather than competing with them. Some faculty members worried about its impact on current programs, but Stock reassured that ENCE is designed to complement existing studies.
Hau acknowledged the ambitious nature of ENCE and the feedback received during its development. “What we’re doing is truly unique at the global level,” she concluded. Climate change is a vast issue, and there’s no single solution. A multi-faceted approach is essential, and ENCE aims to provide that through education.
Overall, ENCE represents Harvard’s commitment to preparing students to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time.
