This is an intensive course. In 2025, the face-to-face component will be delivered 1-12 September.
This course examines the climate change problem in terms of vulnerability and adaptation from scientific, societal and policy perspectives. There is now a certain amount of unavoidable climate change, and therefore there a need to adapt to these changing climatic conditions and their consequences. The need to adapt and the kinds of adaptation responses necessary will depend on how the climate changes at a specific location over time, whether the direct or indirect impacts are positive or negative, and the capacity of people and systems to respond. In considering climate change vulnerability and adaptation as a field of study we focus on key theories (conceptual frameworks), methods and sources of information. Key concepts include the IPCC assessment framework, risk, 'co-benefit' and 'no-regret' policy responses, adaptation evaluation criteria, and adaptation policies. Analytical methods covered in the course include climate change scenario analysis and conceptual modelling. Learning approaches include lectures, a field trip, workshop discussions and group work, and practical data analysis exercises. These are assessed in written assignments, including a major report analysing the climate change adaptation policy of a nation. Most course material is available online to enrolled students. Practical exercises will be conducted in a hybrid model.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe the kinds of climate change adaptation responses that may be necessary and the risks, costs and benefits that these may entail
- Understand key theories, analytical methods and sources of information for climate change adaptation.
- Critically consider the elements of effective climate change adaptation policies at national and sub-national scales.
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
Final assessment piece is based on real world scenario, incorporating stakeholder interaction throughout the semester.
Indicative Assessment
- Short written assignment (10) [LO 1,2]
- Learning portfolio (25) [LO 1,2,3]
- Presentation (15) [LO 1,2]
- Adaptation plan evaluation report (50) [LO 1,2,3]
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.
Workload
This course is available as fully online or in person.
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- A 58 hours intensively delivered component delivered over two weeks comprising lectures and practicals. Students participating online will be able to join lectures and practicals remotely via Zoom.
- Approximately 72 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentation and other assessment tasks.
In addition, an optional one day field trip is offered to students taking the course in-person and online students who can physically attend this local Canberra activity. This activity is not recorded or streamed and therefore not available online.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
Outside the OPTIONAL field trip, no specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
This course includes an OPTIONAL local field trip. There are no associated additional student costs.
For specific details please visit the class summary and for general information on field trips please visit: https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/college-science-field-trips
Students with accessibility concerns are encouraged to discuss with the course convenor.
Prescribed Texts
Key reference for pre-reading:
IPCC 2022. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)].
Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-ii/
Preliminary Reading
- Adger, W.N., Arnell, N.W., & Tompkins, E.L. 2005. Successful adaptation to climate change across scales. Global Environmental Change, 15(2), 77-86. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378004000901
- Australian Government policies on adapting to climate change: http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/adaptation
- Barnett, J., & O'Neill, S. 2010. Maladaptation. Global Environmental Change, 20(2), 211-213. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VFV-4XY4SDP-1/2/377f3a2c8f973d976587810265cf0df3
- Birkmann, J. & Teichman, K. 2010. Integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation: key challenges—scales, knowledge, and norms. Sustainability Science, 5(2), pp.171–184. http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11625-010-0108-y
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 2009. Connecting biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation: Report of the Second Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change., CBD, Montreal. http://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-ts-41-en.pdf
- Dovers S.R. and Hezri A.A. (2010). Institutions and policy processes: the means to the ends of adaptation. WIREs Climate Change 1, 212–231. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wcc.29/abstract
- Ford, J. D., Berrang-Ford, L., & Paterson, J. 2011. A systematic review of observed climate change adaptation in developed nations. Climatic Change, 106(2), 327-336. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-011-0045-5
- Fankhauser, S. and McDermott, T.K.J. 2014. Understanding the adaptation deficit: Why are poor countries more vulnerable to climate events than rich countries? Global Environmental Change, 27:9-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.04.014
- Hallegatte, S. 2009. Strategies to adapt to an uncertain climate change. Global Environmental Change, 19(2), 240-247. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VFV-4VNCBYR-1/2/0ada4deadb3cb5d2278e60012b35e24e
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Assumed Knowledge
The course is accessible for masters students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4980 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Spring Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9182 | 01 Sep 2025 | 02 Sep 2025 | 03 Oct 2025 | 17 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
| 9330 | 01 Sep 2025 | 02 Sep 2025 | 03 Oct 2025 | 17 Oct 2025 | Online | N/A |