Climate change is a key concern for public policy making, including as part of core economic policy. Decarbonisation will require changes in technologies, production and consumption, and means transition in some industries. Meanwhile, communities and businesses will need to prepare for impacts from climate change and adapt to them. Climate policy is contested and poses challenges for institutions and political decision making. 

This course is about the frameworks, choice and design of policy for climate change at the national and sub-national level. It provides an introduction to the principles of domestic policymaking for climate change, and their application in practice. It allows students to become familiar with some of the major debates on climate change policy in the economic and political context, including selected current policy debates in Australia and other countries. The course provides a grounding to enable students to do their own analysis of climate policy instruments and options. Students are encouraged to actively engage and share their own perspectives. The course covers economic concepts, these are presented in a way that is accessible to non-economists and the course does not require prior study of economics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand and contextualise key concepts and current debates on climate change economics and policy.
2. Investigate how principles of climate change policy are translated into policy frameworks and instruments.
3. Critically reflect on the practical application of climate change policy instruments in different economic, social and political contexts.
4. Assess policy proposals and advocate alternative policy approaches based on analysis of evidence.

Research-Led Teaching

The course draws directly on the course convenor's ongoing research. The course topics relate to Prof Jotzo's main area of research, as well as his policy advisory and work for international bodies such as the IPCC. The course also taps into the experience and practice of several guest lecturers from the policy, business, NGO and research community.

Field Trips

n/a

Additional Course Costs

none

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

Readings

Course materials include a variety of different readings and materials. These include

• review papers and non-technical research papers in academic journals (eg Climate Policy, Climatic Change, Nature Climate Change and other relevant field journals) and from academic books;
• sections of relevant reports by different organisations (eg government commissioned reviews, reports by bodies such as the World Bank and NGOs);
• reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
• selected primary materials such as submissions and data sets;
• introductory general materials and viewpoints (eg articles in magazines such as The Economist or the New York Times, opinion pieces, sections from recorded talks).

Readings will be provided through the course site on Wattle, differentiated by 'core' and 'additional' readings. All readings will be available electronically. 

It is necessary and expected that students engage with readings before each of the workshops of the course.

Recommended Resources

Engage with readings and other recommended materials.

Read current in-depth coverage of climate change policy in quality media and on specialists portals.

Follow your convenor on Twitter @frankjotzo.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	31 Jan (and 4 Feb tutorial) 1a: Introductions; climate change science and impacts 1b: Emissions trends, drivers and targets Introduction to the course: context and participants (referring to pre-course reflections), overview of climate change science and impacts. An introduction to technical, economic and policy dimensions of emissions growth and reductions over time.	Course delivery format: The course consists of interactive workshop sessions, online engagement and tutorials/Q&A sessions. Workshop sessions are held on Mondays. They are offered in person (mornings) and online (afternoons). You choose either one to take part. Some sessions (guest lecturers) will be offered only online (afternoon). You are expected to prepare by viewing recorded online lecture segments and engaging with readings. Additional online engagement on the MS Teams platform. Detailed session descriptions will be available on the Wattle site from 17 January. Students are asked to engage with the course material from 17 January onwards. Students are required to submit a pre-course reflection by 28 January. Instructions will be on the Wattle course page.
2	7 Feb (tutorial 11 Feb) 2a: Decarbonisation and how to get to net zero 2b: Economics of climate change mitigation Technical and system-wide options for decarbonisation and achieving net zero emissions. Economic ways of thinking about climate change and climate change mitigation, economic modelling approaches.
3	14 Feb (tutorial 18 Feb ) 3a: Policy toolbox for climate change mitigation 3b: Mitigation policy in practice The policy toolbox for emissions reductions (climate change mitigation), including market instruments and regulatory approaches and policy interactions. Climate policy and climate policy packages in practices, with some country case studies.	Policy strategy essay due 22 Feb. This essay relates to topics 1-3.
4	21 Feb (tutorial 25 Feb) 4a: Institutions for climate change policy 4b: Climate change adaptation principles and policy The role of institutions to underpin climate change policy, including national strategies for emissions reductions and adaptation to climate change. Climate change adaptation options and actions, approaches and policy instruments.
5	28 Feb (tutorial 4 March) 5a: Climate change and development 5b: Climate change finance The role of climate change in development, links between climate policy and development outcomes. Types and modalities of finance for climate change; the finance sector as a driver of decarbonisation.
6	7 March (tutorial 11 March) 6a: Politics and societal decision making on climate policy 6b: Outlook: will we need solar radiation management? Politics and political economy of climate change, interest groups and climate policy, public opinion and the policy process. Will the world need to resort to geo-engineering to limit climate change, and if so how to govern it?

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Presentation in class	15 %	*	*	1, 2 - Presentation
Reflection	10 %	*	*	1, 2 - Reflection
Policy strategy essay	30 %	22/02/2022	15/03/2022	1, 2, 3 - Policy strategy essay
Deep-dive essay	45 %	08/04/2022	06/05/2022	1, 2, 3 - Deep dive essay

* 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.

Participation

Class attendance and active participation in class is strongly recommended, for workshops either in person or in the online sessions, and for tutorials online.

There is a firm expectation that students will have prepared for each workshop session and actively engage in class and/or in online forums.

Examination(s)

n/a

Assessment Task 1

Presentation in class

A short in-class presentation about a chosen topic, with a short summary distributed via the online forum beforehand.

Each student will do a short in-class presentation and discussion on a topic of their choice, and provide a short written document and recorded presentation beforehand.

Can be done in group work, or separately yet in coordination with other students.

Suggested topics will be provided. Student presentations normally expand on a particular aspect of the topics discussed in class. Students are free to customize the presentation topics.

This assignment provides for timely deep engagement with a particular topic and interaction in the groups.

15% of overall assessment.

Presentations will take place during workshops and tutorials (31 Jan to 7 March). A short recorded talk and written summary are due before the day of the workshop or tutorial.

Assessment Task 2

Reflection

Reflection on one topic expanding from the session content.

Free choice of topic based on readings, lectures and workshop discussions. However, topic must be different from that of the Presentation.

This assignment provides for in-depth asynchronous engagement with a particular topic, usually in the aftermath of class discussions.

To be uploaded and available to all students for discussion online.

10% of overall assessment.

To be submitted in the week when the chosen topic is discussed (31 Jan to 11 March).

Assessment Task 3

Policy strategy essay

The assignment is to develop a hypothetical climate change mitigation policy for a specific country, on the basis of arguments informed by the course content.

Students are expected to develop a specific proposal that is based on clearly established objectives for a particular circumstance, that takes into account issues covered so far in the course. Includes an optional group work component.

Guidance about the topic, expectations, procedures and criteria for evaluation will be provided during the course.

Through the essays students engage deeply on specific questions of climate change policy and economics, applying knowledge and analytical skills gained during the course to specific policy issues.

Length: 1500 words excluding references (+/-10%). 

30% of overall assessment.

Due date: 22 Feb 2022.

Assessment Task 4

Deep-dive essay

The main assessment task of the course: an essay that looks in-depth at a specific topic from any aspect of the course.

Essay topics will be provided during the course; students will have freedom to customise the set topics, and to propose their own specific topic relating to any special interests.

A list of essay topics and guidance about expectations, procedures and criteria for evaluation will be provided during the course.

Through the essays students engage deeply on specific questions of climate change policy and economics, applying knowledge and analytical skills gained during the course to specific policy issues. Students are expected to make a clear argument that is supported by facts and analysis, with own literature-based research going beyond the material covered in the course.

Length: 2500 words excluding references (+/-10%). 

45% of overall assessment.

Due date: 8 April 2022.

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

All submission in this course are online.

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.

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