Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Climate change is an urgent global challenge, receiving increasing attention from politicians, advocacy groups, media and the general public. The business sector influences climate change, and is influenced by it. As contributors to greenhouse gas emissions companies have responsibility for the problem, and are asked to find solutions. As users of natural resources, businesses will face greater uncertainties and resource scarcities. Given these interconnections, companies create proactive climate strategies and seek to shape public policy and public opinion. This course intends to familiarize students as tomorrow’s leaders with some key elements of climate change – the science, the evolving policy, the role of business, and the climate change negotiations.
By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- understand the basics of climate change.
- understand the role of regulations and international approaces to addressing climate change (in particular, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC).
- be able to evaluate business strategies for coping with climate change.
- describe and explain the roles and diverging interests of parties involved in global climate policy negotiations, including governments, industry associations, global companies, and non-governmental organizations.
- formulate a negotiation strategy for climate change negotiations (students in Track B).
- apply negotiation skills and develop consensus solutions in an international negotiations setting (students in Track B).
Credits: 3
Schedule: 03.03.2021 - 16.04.2021
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Tiina Ritvala
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Emilia Eräpolku, Tiina Ritvala
Contact information for the course (valid 28.01.2021-21.12.2112):
Responsible teacher: Tiina
Ritvala
E-mail: tiina.ritvala@aalto.fi
https://people.aalto.fi/tiina_ritvala
Teaching Assistant: Priit Tinits
E-mail:priit.tinits@aalto.fi
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The course content is organized in two parts (3+3 ECTS). The first part is common for all students, and it provides basic knowledge of climate change, regulatory frameworks (UNFCCC, in particular), and corporate strategic responses to climate change. The second part, where only students in Track B participate, centers around the Model UNFCCC CEMS Climate Change Strategy Role Play. It involves a unique two-day simulation of UN climate negotiations, where students from the participating European universities play the roles of government, NGO and industry representatives organized in one of the member universities.
The number of students accepted in Track B with the simulation is limited. Preference is given to CEMS students (priority group 1) and students of the Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability (priority group 2). Students wishing to participate in Track B must submit motivation letters (instructions on the MyCourses homepage of the course).
Applies in this implementation:
The course content is organized in two parts (3+3 ECTS).
Part 1 (Track A and B)
The first part is common for all students, and
it has two modules. Module 1
comprises of three classes (3,5 hours each) and it gives an extensive
introduction to the topic of climate change and climate policy. Experts of
climate science and climate policy join the sessions. Module 2 comprises of two classes on the role of
business in climate change, including guest speakers from industry. Part 1 ends
with an exam, which both tests the basic knowledge of climate change and the
UNFCCC and includes brief reflective questions on the risks and opportunities
of climate change for business. The exam is
organized in a remote form.Part 2 (Track B)
Module 3 comprises of two formal classes plus separately agreed feedback
sessions with the teacher. The classes include student presentations and a negotiation
skills training, which prepares students for the role-play. Students will gain
insights into negotiation theory and acquire skills that enable them to look
beyond positions to the underlying interest of a party. Finally, Module 4
consists of a two-day simulation in ‘Zoom-City’ with all ten participating
universities. Midterm, before the end of Module 2, roles for the negotiation
simulation are assigned to all students. In line with the innovative
three-sector approach of this course, each student will either represent a
government delegate, a non-governmental organization or a lobbyist from
industry. This approach aims to provide an understanding not only of the
intergovernmental debate on climate change issues, but also of the way civil
society and business interests influence these discussions. Each student has an
individual role and is also a part of a small team or delegation. Most delegations
include multiple representatives of one country or group of countries.Based
on the assigned roles, students are to prepare a background presentation and a
positionpaper
regarding the country/organization that they are to represent. The position
paper askseach
team to prepare their negotiation positions and think through the dynamics of amultilateral
negotiation by preparing conditional fallback options. The main issues to benegotiated are: 1. Mitigation and compliance,
i.e. measures to reduce carbon emissions, 2. Market mechanisms 3. Adaptation
and financing and 4. Loss & Damage and climate refugees. During the final
simulation, government representatives’ task is to reach agreement on these “agenda
items” in four different working groups. In line with international law,
representatives of NGOs and lobbyists from industry do not have the right to
vote but try to influence the outcome by delivering statements and
extraordinary actions. The working groups are headed by Chairs, who are instructed
to lead the negotiations during the simulation. Instead of writing a position
paper, Working Group Chairs prepare the negotiations by synthesizing the
positions of the other parties.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Depending on the track, based on class participation, assignments, exam and simulation (Track B only).
Applies in this implementation:
The
assessment of this course is based on the following:Track
A· Active participation (20%)
· Exam (80%)
Track
B· Track A (50%)
· Group background presentation (20%,
team grade)· Group position paper (20%, team
grade)· Individual reflection paper of
negotiations (10%). The paper will be due around three weeks after the negotiations
simulation.Two
bonus points will be granted for responding to the course feedback survey
(Track A and B).Final grades will be on a scale from 0-5.
Grade
Overall percentage
0
<50%
1
50%-59.99%
2
60%-69.99%
3
70%-79.99%
4
80%-89.99%
5
>90%
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
80h (3 ECTS) or 160 h (6 ECTS)
Applies in this implementation:
Track A: Contact teaching including the exam 20h,
independent work 60h, Total 80hTrack B: Contact teaching, including the exam 32h, role
play (climate negotiations simulation) 18h, independent work 110h, Total
160h
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
As indicated in the syllabus
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
MSc level students
Registration for Courses
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Registration via WebOodi. In addition, a motivation letter is required to apply to the simulation/Track B (instructions on the MyCourses homepage of the course).
Applies in this implementation:
THE COURSE IS ORGANIZED ENTIRELY ONLINE (ALSO CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS ROLE PLAY) DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC!
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
13 Climate Action
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
CEMS students (1.) and Creative Sustainability students (2.) have priority in registration
Business Negotations course (77E25000, 3 ECTS) is recommended for the students in Track A.
Applies in this implementation:
THE COURSE IS ORGANIZED ENTIRELY ONLINE (ALSO CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS ROLE PLAY) DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC!