Climate Policy Diplomacy

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

Climate change is a global environmental, social, technological and economic challenge. Responding to this challenge will fundamentally affect energy systems, development strategies, investment patterns, and distributional equity around the world. This course examines the nature of the climate challenge from multiple perspectives in order to investigate the climate change technology, policy and diplomacy solutions currently being deliberated around the world. Specific cases examined change each semester and have included global carbon markets, alternative climate treaties, subnational solutions, and green industrial policy. We will conclude the semester with a real-time examination of the international climate change regime and the issues under negotiation in the UNFCCC. Students will be expected to engage with the science and technology behind the climate challenge as well as the diplomatic and policy tools. During past semesters the course has included a Climate Diplomacy Lab run in collaboration with the US State Department.