CENSE is devoted to the promotion of interdisciplinary research in environmental sciences and engineering, focusing in the interaction between human and ecological systems, to promote sustainable development. It is the research branch of a wider organization including researchers, students and staff from the Environmental Sciences and Engineering Department of FCT-UNL, plus a number of affiliated organizations (teaching and research, business and public organizations). 

CENSE develops its activities through the promotion of research projects, outreach initiatives, training programs, collaboration with private and public organizations, dissemination of results and science-policy dialogues. Its funding is obtained from national and internationally funded research programs, as well as from other sources from public and private sectors.