Department Environmental Social Sciences

The Environmental Social Sciences department (ESS) aims at conducting cutting edge environmental research with a focus on water from the background of several social science disciplines. The department hosts researchers from disciplines such as economics, political sciences, business management, innovation studies, economic geography, decision analysis, and psychology.

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The Rhine serves as a drinking water reservoir for Basel. On transboundary rivers, regulation of water quality poses major challenges. Source: Norbert Aepli

April 16, 2018

What is the contribution of upstream areas to micropollutant loads in the Rhine at Basel and Düsseldorf? How effectively do authorities and water suppliers collaborate on management and regulation across national boundaries? An interdisciplinary approach developed by Eawag scientists can help to identify deficiencies. Read more

If global warming cannot be limited to 1.5 °C, approximately one third of the land area and one fifth of the population will be affected by drought. Photo: BAFU, Judith Grundmann

February 22, 2018

The earth’s water supply is changing because of global warming: the ratio of precipitation to evaporation is sinking, and additional arid zones may emerge. The speed at which this development is likely to take place has been analysed by an international team including Eawag researchers. Read more

Restoration of the Chriesbach stream in Dübendorf. Photo: Peter Penicka, Eawag

November 22, 2017

According to a survey conducted by Eawag, around 45 per cent of all actors in the Swiss water sector are concerned in some way with river restoration. Read more