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Course Description To PDF
Course title Politics of Climate Change
Course code SSP2054
ECTS credits 5,0
Assessment Whole/Half Grades
Period
Period Start End Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
2 26-10-2026 11-12-2026 X X
Level no level
Coordinator Christian Scholl
For more information: christian.scholl@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Language of instruction English
Goals
* Students understand and analyse what instruments the state has to tackle climate change
* Students understand and analyse what the role is of (multinational) corporations in climate politics
* Students understand and analyse in how far governments are able to tackle climate change together through the UN
* Students understand and analyse the challenges of the EU implementation the New Green Deal
* Students understand and analyse in what ways NGO's can influence climate politics
* Students understand and analyse how social movements challenge climate politics
Description
This course unpack the politics of climate change, focusing on the role of the state, politics and international environmental law in focusing on climate change. Starting with the state as a key actor in contemporary politics, the course looks into the different regulatory instruments a state has available to tackle climate change. Thereby, special attention is given to the steering of multinational corporations in the context of globalized economies. Focusing on the Paris Agreement as the most recent outcome of the UNFCCC, the course centers on how states work together in Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA's) to tackle climate change internationally. The EU will be addressed as a relatively you actor in international relations displaying specifically high ambitions. Finally, the course looks at the role of NGO's and climate justice movements and the impact they have on climate politics.
Literature
Prerequisites
Exchange students should refer to the International Relations Office via email in case they would like to register for this course: iro-incoming-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl. Only limited spots available, first-come first-serve principle.
Keywords
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
Master Sustainability Science, Policy and Society - Policy for Sustainability Compulsory Courses
SBE Exchange Master Master Exchange Courses
Transitional Regulations