MSc Environmental Technology
Centre for Environmental Policy
Personal Statement 2025-2026
If MSc Environmental Technology is your first-choice course, the questions below should
appear on the application form within the Applications portal, and you should complete them
there. If the course is your second choice, please use this template and upload the document
to the 'Supporting Documents' section on the application portal.
Name
Option Choices
Candidates are recruited into specific Options (see full information here, click ‘Second Term’). Please choose
two of the specialist Options, drawn from the selection offered by the MSc, that you want to apply for. These
should be ranked in order of preference. If you are unsuccessful with your first Option choice your application
will be passed onto the convenor of your second choice Option for consideration.
1. Energy Policy (EP)
2. Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP)
Personal statement
In the box below you should aim to tell us why you are interested in studying for the MSc Environmental
Technology and why you have chosen the above Options. Please include any other information that you feel
would help us make a decision in your favour.
MSc Environmental Technology
Centre for Environmental Policy
max. 400 words
My fascination with sustainability took root during my undergraduate research on
technological innovation in China’s Greater Bay Area, where I discovered that green energy
adoption and human capital development were as crucial as traditional economic drivers. That
made me search for a program that brings together scientific, policy and economic
considerations regarding environmental issues. It is an ideal programme for Imperial as its
MSc Environmental Technology combines analytical skills with practical application in
addition to strong links with industry and government. My first option is energy policy (EP),
since decarbonization strategies and renewable energy transitions are my interests. My
experiences analyzing different manufacturing industries have revealed that energy systems
drive economic growth and environmental pressures. Through EP, I hope to sharpen my
quantitative and policy-analytical skills to evaluate costs, benefits, and trade-offs of emerging
clean energy technologies on a broader societal scale. Environmental Economics and Policy
(EEP) is my second option given my strong grounding in economics and econometrics. I believe
that sound policy begins with understanding incentives and market structures; with EEP, I can
hone the evaluation tools needed to design effective policy instruments that promote
sustainable development. Both options—EP and EEP—complement my goal of addressing
pressing sustainability issues through data-driven insights and strategic, outcome-focused
solutions. I will use the opportunities at Imperial to grow professionally and work on real-world
projects. This will complement my academic training at the University of Ottawa and McGill
University in micro and macroeconomic analysis, data science and analytics. By focusing on
these two Options I hope to develop actionable expertise spanning economic theory,
technology assessments and policy design. I want to join cross-sectoral teams developing
evidence-based strategies to solve environmental problems worldwide after graduation. My
academic background, ability to analyze things rigorously and interest in sustainable
development make me an ideal candidate for the MSc Environmental Technology.
If you were to successfully complete the MSc in Environmental Technology, what type of organisation are you
planning to work for immediately after graduation? How would your chosen Options help you achieve this?
max. 100 words
I plan to work for a sustainability-focused consultancy or a public-sector research unit
advising on energy transitions and environmental policy. Energy Policy (EP) will refine my
ability to evaluate decarbonization pathways, while Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP)
will hone my skills in economic analysis and incentive-based policymaking. Together, these
Options will enable me to deliver evidence-based strategies to governments and industries for
low cost growth solutions that balance environmental stewardship.
What do you believe your key strengths are?
MSc Environmental Technology
Centre for Environmental Policy
max. 100 words
I excel in quantitative analysis, demonstrated through my advanced coursework in
econometrics, causal inference methods, and mathematics. I have a strong background in
econometrics, causal inference methods and mathematica. In my undergraduate research on
the Greater Bay Area I learned how to read academic literature, industry reports and policy
documents critically to derive insight. My masters program at the University of Ottawa taught
me statistical methdolodgy like difference-in-differences analysis and various identification
strategies and data science concepts. I work well in teams, communicate clearly & adapt to
new situations. Above all I approach problems with curiosity, diligence and collaboration.
What professional and personal attributes do you believe that you need to strengthen?
max. 100 words
I aim to learn structured ways of task delegation/deadline coordination in large, multi-phase
projects to improve my project management skills. Additionally I would like to grow as a leader
especially in multicultural and interdisciplinary teams. Having worked mostly in quantitative
roles, I see the value in developing more holistic stakeholder engagement methods. Finally,
continuous enhancement of my public speaking skills will help me convey recommendations
more persuasively to diverse audiences.
If you could solve one sustainability problem, what would it be and how would you approach it? How will your
choice of Option help you do this?
MSc Environmental Technology
Centre for Environmental Policy
max. 300 words
I would solve one sustainability problem by getting more urban centers to use clean energy.
Cities are the largest users of energy worldwide and major sources of air pollution and carbon
dioxide emissions. I would integrate rigorous economic analysis with a strategic alignment of
incentives across governments, private firms and citizens. Then I would identify barriers to
clean energy adoption like high upfront cost and outdated infrastructure and propose targeted
interventions like tax incentives for renewable installations or public-private partnerships for
grid modernization. With my first choice option, energy policy, I will understand modern energy
systems' technical, environmental, and financial aspects. I can design economically viable
and scientifically sound solutions by mastering cost-benefit analyses and learning to assess
decarbonization pathways. While studying Environmental Economics and Policy I will also
learn to model the institutional and market structures that determine whether these
interventions work. Knowing how to set appropriate carbon pricing or design energy subsidies
for example can greatly accelerate adoption of low-carbon technologies. I combine these
analytical tools with an interdisciplinary view to produce concrete proposals to reduce fossil
fuel use in cities while maintaining economic prosperity. I hope that through further
collaboration with policymakers, industry leaders and fellow researchers these solutions can
be replicated to substantially mitigate climate impacts in urban contexts worldwide.
