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At the heart of the EU-funded TRIGGER project is a mission to raise awareness about the European Green Deal (EGD) and its transformative impact across sectors. Through TRIGGER, students at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU) are gaining hands-on insights into global policymaking, environmental regulation, and climate governance – all through the lens of the EGD.

As part of this initiative, two formally accredited MSc-level courses – EU Environmental Management (5 ECTS) and International Climate Policy (3 ECTS) – were launched and offered over three academic years. Designed with both substance and accessibility in mind, these courses have been developed in tandem with open-access online materials (YouTube) to ensure broader public engagement through EMU’s e-learning platform (Moodle).

We spoke with some students who took part in the courses to hear their reflections.

Bringing policy to life

Indrek Romet, now back in Canada working in the environmental sector, took the International Climate Policy course and described it as a rewarding experience.

“I enjoyed both theoretical explanations as well as the practical exercises,” he said. “Peep’s real, lived experience of attending different COPs [Conference of Parties] and conferences was especially enlightening.”

For Helena Harriet Tamm, who completed both courses, the integration of science and policy was particularly impactful.

“The courses were informative – I really appreciated learning about the history of the climate change movement and how that ties into the European Green Deal,” Helena said.

A closer look: Diana’s story

We also spoke to Diana Matejuk, an environmental consultant in Estonia, who offered a deeper look into her experience with the TRIGGER courses.

Lobbying in EU lawmaking: A surprise for many

One of the standout lessons for Diana was on lobbying in EU institutions. She learned how lobbying is an accepted part of the democratic process, yet heavily dominated by well-funded industry representatives – from sectors like fossil fuels, forestry, agriculture, and tech.

“International students were surprised to learn that lobbying is legal,” she said. “But it raised an important question: Should industry voices dominate over those advocating for the environment and the public interest?”

She highlighted the imbalance in access to decision-makers between industry and NGOs as a topic deserving more scrutiny.

From regulation to market incentives

Another insight was how EU environmental policy has shifted from direct regulation to market-based tools like the Emissions Trading System (ETS).

“Initially, it was about banning pollutants,” Diana explained. “Now, market mechanisms decide outcomes.” She found that shift to be remarkable.

Looking East: China’s climate ambitions

As part of an Estonian-language seminar, the student researched China’s climate policies. The assignment challenged common perceptions – on paper, China has some of the world’s most ambitious climate policies, even setting net-zero targets earlier than the EU. But the real question? Accountability.

Unlike the EU, where independent bodies audit compliance, China’s policies often lack transparent enforcement. That contrast stood out.

"China has pledged carbon neutrality for years, but new coal plant licenses are still being issued," Diana said. "The gap between their climate ambitions and what’s happening on the ground is something to think about."

Connecting theory, research, and real-world action

Diana said the courses did more than deepen her theoretical knowledge – they also helped her think critically about how climate governance works across different systems. The learning experience was further enriched by the TRIGGER project’s ongoing research into the implementation of EU climate policy in Estonia and beyond, which informed classroom discussions and assignments.

The project also creates space for dialogue beyond academia. A science-policy workshop is planned to bring together researchers and practitioners, allowing students and stakeholders to reflect on emerging insights and share feedback that can enhance future teaching and policy efforts.

This is exactly what the TRIGGER project set out to achieve: Equip students with the knowledge, tools, and perspectives needed to navigate the complexities of sustainability, governance, and real-world decision-making in the perspective of the Green Deal.

Want to dive deeper? Learn more about the TRIGGER project and explore our specialized course materials and research findings on our project website: https://trigger.emu.ee/

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