气候变化科学与协商

你将学到什么

课程概况

The time to address climate change is now. The mean surface temperature of the Earth has risen dangerously and spurred devastating impacts – and not just on natural ecosystems worldwide, but on daily human life. We are currently on pace towards a temperature increase of 4°C or more this century, while scientists and policymakers propose targets of just 1-2°C to avoid the total destruction of the planet.

In this course, learn solutions to mitigate the effects of the global greenhouse gas emissions causing temperature rise, and how to apply these solutions in different national contexts improvements.

Please note:

This course was created before the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP21 – in Paris. While the political situation has shifted rapidly, this course provides a solid overview of the science behind climate change.
Climate Change Science and Negotiations is a single-semester course. Please ignore all references to a second semester.
This course is for:

Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students in the fields of sustainable development, environmental science, sustainable business, international relations or related fields who are interested in the latest on climate change
Climate change activists who want a concise overview of the current issues shaping debate and action
Sustainable development practitioners – as well as private-sector actors, such as corporate sustainability and responsibility groups and those who work in the technology or energy industries – who need to understand key issues and facts about climate change, including emissions targets and emerging regulations

课程大纲

Module 1: Towards a New Climate Change Agreement

The Challenge of Human Induced Climate Change
The History of Climate Change Science
The UNFCCC
From Kyoto to Copenhagen
Towards COP21
Module 2: The Basics of Climate Change Science

The Earth’s Energy Balance
The Greenhouse Gases and Feedbacks
The Relentless Ride of CO2
Other Drivers of Climate Change
Recent History of Climate Change
Module 3: The 2-Degree Limit

The Business As Usual Trajectory
The Consequences of the BAU Trajectory
Limiting the Mean Surface Temperature Increase Below 2-Degrees Celsius vs. Pre-Industrial Levels
Debates Over the 2-Degree Celsius Limit
Module 4: The 2-Degree Carbon Budget

What is a Carbon Budget?
What is the Global Carbon Budget for the 2-Degree Limit?
What is the Global Emissions Reduction Pathway for the 2-Degree Limit?
How Does It Compare with the Potential Emissions from Fossil Fuel Reserves & Resources?
Module 5: The Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems

What is an Energy System?
Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Trends
The 3 Pillars of the Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems
A Global Mitigation Scenario
Module 6: The Key Technological Challenges of Deep Decarbonization

The Need for Accelerated Development of Low-Carbon Technologies
Key Technology Areas for RDD&D
Grid Management of Power Systems with High Penetration of Renewable Energies
Carbon Capture & Sequestration
Advanced Nuclear Power
Electric Vehicles and Advanced Biofuels
The Role of Technology Roadmaps and Roundtables
Module 7: Deep Decarbonization Pathways: Country Case Studies

Why Countries Need Deep Decarbonization Pathways to 2050
The Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project
What We Learn From Countries’ Deep Decarbonization Pathways
Lessons for the Global Agreement on Climate Change at COP21 in Paris in 2015
Module 8: Energy & Development

Energy & Poverty
A World Without Modern Energy
Energy for All in Africa
How Climate Change Threatens the Poorest of the Poor
Sustainable Energy for All

Module 9: Main Challenges of Climate Change Negotiations

Efficiency & Fairness
Basic Principles of a Global Agreement
What is Fair?
Making an Agreement Stick
Problem-Solving Versus Negotiating
Module 10: Towards a New Climate Agreement Based on 2-Degrees Celsius

The Three-Tiered Structure of Mitigation Commitments
Technology RDD&D
Climate Financing
Can Everybody Win? Should Everybody Win?
Achieving Large Global Goals

预备知识

None.