This course introduces students to foundations of and recent developments in international climate change policy. Topics covered include climate change response options, and economic and policy perspectives on the problem of international cooperation; international environmental agreements, especially the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement; international carbon markets and climate finance; cooperation on technology; international dimensions of adaptation to climate change; relationship with other international objectives such as the Sustainable Development Goals; and international governance of climate change action. The course provides a non-technical introduction to some economic thinking on climate change, no prior economics study in needed. The course is interactive and students are encouraged to actively engage.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the main concepts and debates on international climate change policy.
- Understand the principles practice of the UN climate change framework, and of a range of issues in international climate change policy.
- Critically assess policy proposals and evaluate future developments.
Research-Led Teaching
The substance of the course is aligned with key foci of international collective action, especially under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In most weeks, guest presenters will focus on aspects in international climate change policy and/or economics that they have research interests and/or practical experience in.
Required Resources
A full reading list will be provided on the course webpage on Wattle.
Staff Feedback
Written feedback on individual work (via the course website on Wattle) will be provided for all assessments. Verbal feedback from the convenor can be obtained on request.
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.Other Information
CRAWFORD ACADEMIC SKILLS
The Crawford School of Public Policy has its own Academic Skills team dedicated to helping students to understand the academic expectations of studying at Crawford and succeed in their chosen program of study. Through individual appointments, course-embedded workshops and online resources, Crawford Academic Skills provides tailored advice to students keen to develop their academic reading, thinking, planning, writing, and presentation skills.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Week beginning 24 July:Science underpinnings and emissions trajectories | In all weeks: Live lecture (Zoom) plus discussion; supplementary pre-recorded presentations; on-line or in-person tutorials/ workshops expanding on topics covered in the lecture. |
2 | Week beginning 31 July:Global environmental governance | |
3 | Week beginning 7 August:Governance for climate action | |
4 | Week beginning 14 August:The Paris Agreement – origins, purpose and progress to date | Quiz 1 is due on the Week of August 14, reflecting on the topics covered in Weeks 1-4. |
5 | Week beginning 21 August:International climate negotiation processes | |
6 | Week beginning 28 August:NDCs and the first global stocktake | |
7 | Week beginning 18 September:International financing for climate action | The mid-semester teaching break is 4-17 September |
8 | Week beginning 25 September:Loss and Damage | Quiz 2 is due on the Week of September 25, reflecting on the topics covered in Weeks 5-8. |
9 | Week beginning 2 October:Adaptation and resilience | |
10 | Week beginning 9 October:International trade in zero carbon energy. | |
11 | Week beginning 16 October:Trade measures for addressing climate change including border carbon adjustments | |
12 | Week beginning 23 October:Solar radiation management technologies and governance | Quiz 3 is due on the Week of October 23, reflecting on the topics covered in Weeks 9-12. |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group presentations | 15 % | 25/09/2023 | 05/10/2023 | 1,2,3 |
Class participation | 10 % | * | 06/11/2023 | 1,2,3 |
Quizzes | 30 % | 14/08/2023 | 14/08/2023 | 1,2,3 |
Essay | 45 % | 06/11/2023 | 01/12/2023 | 1,2,3 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Group presentations
Each student will be required to present on a topic of their choice, together with a one-page summary of the presentation. This will be delivered in a chosen week between Weeks 7 and 11, inclusive. There will be only a limited number of presentations each week and students will be able to book a week on the Wattle page from Week 1.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Class participation
Students are encouraged to attend the seminars and participate in discussions. Participation is defined as asking questions, answering questions asked by others, sharing insights and experiences and participation in debates and group work. A Wattle discussion forum will be available for posting articles, news and other resources. You are also welcome to comment on other people’s posts. Participation in Wattle discussion forum is not compulsory. This platform can be used by students who do not like speaking up in the class.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Quizzes
There will be three open-book quizzes. Each quiz will carry a weight of 10%. The quizzes will take place in the workshop via Wattle. Please bring your laptop, tablet device or phone to take part in the quizzes.
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Essay
Detailed instructions will be available on Wattle.
Length: 2000 words excluding references (+/-10%).
Due date: 6 November 2023, 2200 Canberra time.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.Online Submission
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.Late Submission
Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.Returning Assignments
All assessments are submitted via the course website on Wattle.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research InterestsClimate change mitigation and adaptation; agricultural economics and policy; natural disasters |
Dr Sonia Akter
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