Climate change has become a key concern for policymaking, and in some countries is seen as part of core economic policy. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions will require changes in technologies, production and consumption. To achieve climate change mitigation at acceptable economic cost, and within constraints of political feasibility, requires well designed policies. Meanwhile, communities and businesses will need to prepare for impacts from climate change and adapt to them, presenting a different set of challenges for policy, institutions and development strategies.

This course provides an introduction to the principles and practice of domestic economic policymaking for climate change. It introduces students to the major debates and policy instruments, and provides a grounding for analysis of policy options.

The course covers the theory and practice of carbon pricing and alternative policy instruments for climate change mitigation, and principles and policy approaches for adaptation to climate change. It explores practical challenges of climate policy choice and design in developed and developing countries, with case studies from Australia, China and other countries. Economic concepts will be presented in a way that is accessible to non-economists.

Students are encouraged to actively engage and share their own perspectives.

This course is research-led teaching. Much of the material covered relates to issues that are of direct and current policy interest in a range of countries, and the lecturers are engaged in research on these issues. The course is being convened and taught by Dr Frank Jotzo, Director of the Centre for Climate Economics and Policy at the Crawford School. Prominent guest lecturers contribute to some of the sessions.

Students are encouraged to actively engage in discussion, and share their own perspectives.