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:

1. Understand the main concepts and debates on international climate change policy.
2. Understand the principles and practice of the UN climate change framework, and of a range of issues in international climate change policy.
3. Apply economic tools to analyse international climate change policy issues.
4. Critically understand international equity and justice aspects of climate change
5. Reflect on, and evaluate future developments in the field of international climate change policy and governance.

Research-Led Teaching

The course draws on up to date research, including by the convenor and lecturer who is deeply expert in the issues. In some weeks, guest presenters who are expert analysts or practinioners will share their insights on particular topics.

Required Resources

A reading list will be provided on the course webpage on Canvas.

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 27 July:Climate change science and impacts, the international cooperation dilemma	In all weeks: Lecture with opportunity for Q&A, recording made available; workshops are hybrid (on campus with dial-in for online students).
2	Week beginning 3 August:Global climate governance: UNFCCC and other international environmental agreements
3	Week beginning 10 August:The Paris Agreement – priniciples and implementation
4	Week beginning 17 August:UNFCCC negotiations and this year’s COP	Assignment 1 due 20 August
5	Week beginning 24 August:The global South and China in international climate negotiations and action	Feedback on assignment 1 by 28 August
6	Week beginning 31 August:Plurilateral climate governance, climate clubs and partnerships
7	Week beginning 21 September:Carbon markets and Paris Agreement Article 6	The mid-semester teaching break is 7-18 SeptemberAssignment 2 is due on the Week of September 15
8	Week beginning 28 September:International climate finance
9	Week beginning 5 October:Trade and climate change policy
10	Week beginning 12 October:Adaptation: bilateral cooperation and the global adaptation goal
11	Week beginning 19 October:Loss-and-damage, climate and security
12	Week beginning 26 October:Future climate governance challenges: CO2 removal, solar radiation management

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Climate governance brief	20 %	20/08/2026	28/08/2026	1,2,3
Presentation in class	25 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
Deep-dive Essay	45 %	05/11/2026	10/12/2026	3,4,5
In-class participation	10 %	*	10/12/2026

* 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

Climate governance brief

Policy brief: What should be the future of international climate governance?

Advise your government whether to advocate for a continuation, evolution or fundamental change of international climate governance. Some options, with combinations possible: continued centrality of the UNFCCC and implementation of the Paris Agreement; create a new global agreement under the UNFCCC; create a new multilateral UN framework; create new formal plurilateral framework(s) (coalitions of the willing); rely on ad-hoc, rely more on informal plurilateral frameworks (like the Santa Marta process); rely largely on deals with individual friendly nations; some other option. Make the argument for one of these options or a combination of them, taking into account experiences with the international climate regime and geopolitical factors. Argue also from the viewpoint of a particular country (say which country's perspective you're adopting). Explain the advantages and disadvantages of your chosen approach, compared to other options.

Format: this does not need to follow standard conventions for essays. Choose whatever format is must suitable to explain your analysis and arguments. References are welcome but not central to the task.

Length: up to 1200 words (can be shorter, cannot be longer).

Further detailed guidance will be provided.

Rubric

Knowledge (40%)	Analysis (40%)	Form (20%)

Assessment Task 2

Presentation in class

A short (ca 5 minute) in-class presentation followed by Q&A with the lecturer and the class about a specific topic, expanding on a particular aspect of the topics covered in lectures. 

Suggested topics will be provided. Students are free to customize the topics, and to suggest their own topics.

Default is to work in pairs however you will be graded individually, so each student should cover a specific aspect of a common broader topic.

A written summary (1-2 pages, separately for each student) is due before the day of the seminar. Presentations are made live during seminars.

Feedback will be provided within one week of the presentation.

Further detailed guidance will be provided.

Assessment Task 3

Deep-dive Essay

A deep-dive on a topic of your choice within the remit of the course.

Detailed instructions including an extensive list of sample topics will be made available early in the course.

Length: 2,200 words excluding references (+/-10%). The ANU Crawford School of Public Policy's Word Limit and Penalty Guidelines apply to this assessment item.

Due date: 2026-11-05, 10pm Canberra time.

Rubric

Knowledge (40%)	Analysis (40%)	Form (20%)

Assessment Task 4

In-class participation

Participation marks are for active engagement in seminars, including in group discussions and possible pop-quizzes. Engagement through the Canvas discussion forums may also contribute

• Class attendance and active participation in the seminars is expected, strongly recommended, and forms part of the grading.
• There is a firm expectation that students will have prepared for each seminar.
• Lectures are dual, in-person and online - live participation in lectures is encouraged (but not required - you can view the recording).

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 Canvas.

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 Access 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 all ANU students