950-301 Global Environmental Governance

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

121-219/319 Environmental politics and management OR 316-208Economics of the environment OR 166-229/329 Politics of ecology

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The subject is built around three case studies - in order of increasing complexity: the "hole" in the ozone layer; global climate change; and loss of biodiversity. In each case study, the subject will examine the science of the issue (causation), the impact of the change on ecosystems, economies and societies, and responses to the change at international and national levels. The subject pays particular attention to the manner in which environmental changes become political problems and to the part played by environmental issues in the development of the international political economy. The subject will analyse and compare the international and national policy responses related to the case studies: for example, the relative ease with which the Montreal Protocol for CFC control was achieved is contrasted with the difficulties of securing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the ability of the latter to deliver the agreed outcomes.

Assessment

One 2-hour examination; 3 000 words of essays and other papers.