Courses NonDegree Display 2021-2022

Course Description To PDF
Course title From Climate Conflict to Climate Justice
Course code EBC2190
ECTS credits 5,0
Assessment Whole/Half Grades
Period
Period Start End Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
2 25-10-2021 10-12-2021 X X
Level Intermediate/Advanced
Coordinator Marjan Peeters, Pui Hang Wong
For more information: marjan.peeters@maastrichtuniversity.nl; pui-hang.wong@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Language of instruction English
Goals
Students are able to:
* understand the politics of climate science and the role of science for assessing environmental, economic, and social consequences of climate change;
* identify the international institutional mechanisms and regulatory approaches in the field of climate change, and explore the necessity for regional (EU) and national implementation;
* explain and explore what role procedural rights and litigation, including human rights claims, play or could play to combat climate change;
* critically reflect how climate conflicts could be mitigated and climate justice could be promoted, including a global North and global South perspective.
Description
This course aims to provide students basic insight into core policy and law issues related to the world wide problem of climate change.

The course consists of three building blocks:
1) Science and Attribution of Conflict
First, the scene will be set by studying the politics of climate science and the role of science for assessing environmental, economic, and social consequences of climate change. In light of this, we will also study the potential conflict inducing nature of climate change.

2) Regulation to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Second, we will delve into the international institutional and regulatory frameworks to reduce world-wide greenhouse gas emissions, we will scrutinize their ambition, and evaluate what national action is needed. In light of this, we will explore Global North-South perspectives, including discussing the greater responsibility that developed countries should take. The Paris Agreement and the European effort to become climate neutral by 2050 will be the focal points of attention.

3) Climate Justice and the Role of the Courts
Third, we will discuss climate justice through the lens of human rights. In this context, we will explore how litigation can be used by civil society in order to hold governments and companies to account for implementing effective climate policies. Some ground-breaking climate court cases will be scrutinized and critically discussed.
Literature
Reference list will be provided
Prerequisites
None
Keywords
Teaching methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) Presentation / Lecture / Assignment
Assessment methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) Written Exam
Evaluation in previous academic year For the complete evaluation of this course please click "here"
This course belongs to the following programmes / specialisations
UM-wide minors Minor Sustainability
SBE Non Degree Courses Minor Sustainability