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
    position

    paper
    regarding the country/organization that they are to represent. The position
    paper asks

    each
    team to prepare their negotiation positions and think through the dynamics of a

    multilateral
    negotiation by preparing conditional fallback options. The main issues to be

    negotiated 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 80h

    Track 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!