2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5561M Climate Change Mitigation

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Prof John Barrett
Email: j.r.barrett@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module outlines the relative significance of main sources of greenhouse gases and the potential technologies and strategies for reducing them. Students will gain an understanding of the key challenges for controlling the emissions of greenhouse gases from different sources.The module is divided into two overarching themes. The first theme provides an understanding of the mitigation options in different sectors including the energy, transport, housing and the agricultural sector. The second theme explores how the transition to a low carbon economy could happen through the use of different scenarios and pathways and policy options. In addition, the module includes a session on climate change negotiation with a workshop where students get an opportuntiy to actively take part in a negotiation.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have:

- An appreciation of the scale of change needed to achieve specific outcomes
- To understand options available for specific topics (housing, transport, energy production)
- Confidence in critically assessing a country's mitigation strategy
- Knowledge of potential pathways towards a low carbon economy
- An appreciation of the available policy options
- Be able to talk confidently about climate change mitigation to a policy expert
- An understanding of the complexitiy of negotiations and self interest in the climate change debate.

Learning outcomes
The student should develop knowledge of different sources of greenhouse gases, their relative significance, and ways to reduce them. In addition they will develop an understanding of the key challenges for controlling the emissions of greenhouse gases from different sources. The students should be able to assess popular articles in the press and online for their scholarly merits. Many students have gone on to take positions in business, consultancy and government related to climate change mitigation.

Syllabus

1. Introduction & governance and politics of mitigation
2. Energy supply & industry
3. Transport, infrastructure & buildings
4. Agriculture and land use change and emissions - The role of REDD+
5. Mitigation scenarios and macroeconomic costs
6. Transitions management
7. Managing responses to policies and stimulating innovation
8. The EU Emission Trading Scheme and valuing carbon
9. Climate Change negotiation

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	1	4.00	4.00
Lecture	9	1.00	9.00
Seminar	9	2.00	18.00
Private study hours			119.00
Total Contact hours			31.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

The students are expected to prepare for each lecture by reading 2-3 core assigned texts so that they will be able to participate in discussion and group work in lectures and in seminars, spending around 5 hours a week.

The course assessment will involve two written assignments (40 hours and 15 hours preparation time) and preparation of a presentation (15 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Formative feedback provided during seminars starting in week 1.
- Summative feedback in the form of two assessed essays, set in weeks 2 and 5, and returned in weeks 5 and.8, as well as in the form of a presentation in weeks 7 and 8.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	4,000 words	75.00
Presentation	Group presentation	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resits will be arranged for the assignment on an individual basis

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/01/2018

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