SOP Sample for MS Environmental Science in UK - Early Career Profile

Personal Statement - [UNIVERSITY]

"The devastation caused by COVID-19 will cause countries to lose sight of the problem of climate change". This thought has been troubling me for months now after reading the IEA Global Energy Review, 2021. The report, which predicts that the global energy demand will see an increase of 4.6% in 2021 and oil demand will rebound by 6% faster than all other fuels to meet the energy requirements, is frightening but the fact that the question of decarbonisation has completely taken a backseat over the last year is a cause of great concern.

In his book "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster", [AUTHOR] has emphasised the role of clean electricity towards sustainability. It's a source of carbon-free energy to help power the sectors of the economy that produce the other 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. As an electrical engineer, I have a deep understanding of the electricity sector - from production to distribution. Through the readings I did as part of my undergraduate elective in Renewable Energy Sources and Management, I know that we have the capacity to implement clean energy on a large scale today. In my undergraduate course on Power Systems and Power Quality, I have worked with problems of improving the quality of transmission and distribution of electricity.

However, the main challenge we face today in this transition is the huge amount of green premiums that come with choosing clean technology. I come from India, which, like most developing economies, faces the challenge of going green on a budget. While researching on how best to understand this challenge, I came across the course on Environment and Sustainable Development offered by [UNIVERSITY] and it immediately caught my attention. I thoroughly analyzed the modules offered in the course and the data-driven empirical approach for research into the economics of climate change has attracted me the most. The partnership of [UNIVERSITY] with the '[INITIATIVE]' initiative and the objectives proposed under the Climate Change Adaptation plan like the investigations carried out under section 4.0 which analyze the risks to the natural environment has made the dedication of the University towards sustainability abundantly clear to me. Also, the opportunity to study in Scotland, which meets 97% of its electricity demand through renewables would mean that I would have the opportunity to practically examine and understand the management model that has made this feasible. I look forward to being enrolled in this program, which will provide me with the required expertise to excel in a career as a climate and sustainability policy consultant.

I have recently completed a certification course on Politics and Economics of International Energy offered by [UNIVERSITY] which gives an insight into the limitations of existing energy policies - we need policies that divert funds towards R&D for renewables and carbon capture, heavy carbon taxations, and improvements on existing vehicle and building standards. I have also completed a course on Ecosystem Services: a Method for Sustainable Development which is a relatively new field focusing on valuation and risk-analysis of services provided by our environment (like flood mitigation by mangroves, pollination, and so on), offered by [UNIVERSITY] through [PLATFORM]. Having worked for over two years as an associate consultant, I am very comfortable dealing with data and working on visualizations and analysis, which makes me excited to learn more about the data analysis tools like STATA which will be used in the program. Also, leading the reporting unit of the team and having worked with international clients in different time zones has accustomed me to working around the clock to ensure that deliverables are met. I am certain that the work ethic I have developed will help me to put in the necessary effort to succeed as a student at [UNIVERSITY].

During my time volunteering, I interacted with some of the most neglected people in [STATE], India, and grasped the extent to which climate change has been affecting them. Irregular monsoons, heat waves, and flash floods have made their source of sustenance, agriculture, very uncertain leaving them and their families vulnerable. We must recognize the worst affected victims of climate change and give them a voice in discussions and decision-making on climate actions. I spent the past several months going through climate change reports by the IPCC, IIED, the emissions report by IEA as well as research papers and reviews, and I cannot help but feel that there is a gap in reconciling sustainable policy implementation and dealing with climate justice while also keeping in mind the green premiums that come with such drastic changes and how well the economy of a country can support these. What I hope to gain from this course is to understand the challenges and acquire the requisite knowledge to accommodate all factors that come into play for making a good policy that would benefit all sections of society. I trust that the correct policies to approach the problem of sustainability have the power to expedite the transition towards a more sustainable future while also changing the casual outlook most people have towards climate change.

With the onset of mass vaccinations since the start of 2021, the pandemic situation looks hopeful, allowing countries, especially developing countries like India, to finally get back on track for their endeavors to achieve the plans they put forth in the Paris Agreement to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. I firmly believe that the Master's course on Environment and Sustainable Development offered by [UNIVERSITY] would allow me to learn from the best minds in this field and equip me with the tools and understanding to lead my country towards achieving these goals and contribute towards the global collective effort against climate change. I hope my application is considered a good fit.