Since 2015 and the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement, global climate policy is widely understood as a process that transcends the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is no longer primarily aimed at producing and enforcing binding reduction targets for states but builds on a flexible ‘pledge and review’ system of voluntary commitments by state and non-state actors alike. Taken together, these changes have been described as a shift away from a ‘regulatory’ and towards a ‘catalytic and facilitative model’ of global governance. They also signal the emergence of a ‘hybrid multilateralism’ where, in addition to governments, non-state actors – NGOs, cities, think-tanks, businesses, foundations… - are set to play a more proactive role in the international climate debate.
In a first instance, the module will provide students with an introduction to climate politics (Weeks 1). Over the course of the following weeks, we will offer “deep dives” into three climate-related topics: Arctic politics (Weeks 2, 3, 4 & 5), cities (Weeks 7, 8, 9 & 10), and climate justice (Weeks 11 & 12).
