Responding to Global Climate Change

Aim

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Define and explain key concepts in climate policy.
• Describe different framings of climate change in order to reflect upon response measures adopted by states and organizations.
• Describe and analyze methods and tools used by national administrations when responding to climate change.
• Describe and analyze how national administrations respond to climate change in different sectors of society.
• Describe and exemplify drivers and barriers to climate adaptation.
• Describe and exemplify the interaction between science and politics in managing climate change.

Content

Climate change is one of the most profound challenges facing humanity today. Due to its close connection to energy supply and economic development, work to mitigate the effects of climate change will affect virtually all sectors of society. In recent years, a plethora of different actors have begun to develop, design, and implement measures to meet the challenges of a changing climate head on. While based on knowledge in environmental engineering and management, this course focuses on mitigation and adaptation strategies adopted by public authorities and organizations and facilitates reflection on the relationship between science and politics in contemporary climate governance. In sum, the course deals with the framing of climate change and its associated policy instruments as well as the various tools and strategies for managing the effects of a changing climate.

This course provides students with a basic understanding of how climate change is addressed at global, national, and local levels, with a particular emphasis on the role of national administrations in key sectors for mitigation and adaptation. By examining fundamental climate policy concepts, different ways of framing climate change, and the tools and methods used in climate governance, students will develop the ability to analyze policy processes and governance challenges. The course also explores drivers and barriers of climate adaptation and the interplay between science and politics in climate policymaking.