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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Climate Change, Sustainability & Policy
Module Code EF5107
School DCUBS
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Mark Cummins
Semester 2: Peter Brennan
Autumn: Peter Brennan
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This module will develop student’s knowledge about the climate change and sustainability policy agendas and the business opportunities that may result.

Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the discourse on climate change and sustainability
2. Interpret the policy drivers underpinning investments in the green economy
3. Critically evaluate Ireland’s National Climate Change Strategy
4. Identify potential business opportunities



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24The lecturer will present the essential ideas and core concepts in six lectures, pointing students towards resources where they can get further information
Independent learning46Weekly review of class materials; preparation for essay; preparation for project work
Assignment55Project on the topic ‘My Green Economy Business Opportunity’
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Climate Change/Sustainability – The Basics.
The course material will cover the science and politics of climate change, the characteristics of the climate change challenge and developments since the Kyoto Protocol. The institutional framework for dealing with climate change will be explained; EPA, IPCC, UNFCCC etc. The policy responses of the major emitters will be assessed in the light of the on-going negotiations to find a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol. The global response to sustainability issues will be reviewed and the history of the EU’s climate change policy explained..

The EU’s 20-20-20 Strategy.
The three core elements of the EU’s 20-20-20 package will be covered; the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS); the burden sharing Directive and the EU’s renewable energy strategy. The EU’s ETS post-2013 will be introduced with a focus on how carbon is expected to be traded and the practical steps that will need to be put in place to facilitate trading. Particular attention will be devoted to the practical implications of these policies for Ireland..

Ireland’s National Climate Change Strategy.
The impact of the 20-20-20 package at sectoral level will be explained; with a focus on the ETS operators including aviation; agriculture, forestry and land use; transport; and energy efficiency. The greenhouse gas Marginal Abatement Cost Curve prepared by SEAI will be used to identify possible investment opportunities. The latest trends in Ireland’s emissions will be presented. This module will also conclude with a discussion on the Government’s Carbon Budget, carbon taxation, the operation of the Carbon Fund and the main provisions of the Climate Change Bill..

Green Economy Business Opportunities.
The business opportunities arising in the environmental goods and services sectors on an all-island basis will be discussed as will major UK opportunities, in the renewable energy sector in particular. Investing in water as a scarce natural resource will also be covered..

Guest Speaker on Business Opportunities.
Presentation of and discussion of projects on ‘My Green Economy Business Opportunity’.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List
  • P. Brennan, J. Curtin: 2008, The Climate Change Challenge: Strategic Issues, Options and Implications for Ireland, The Institute of International and European Affairs,
  • P. Brennan: 2008, An Assessment of the Opportunities in the Environmental Goods and Services Sector, Forfás,
  • D. Ellerman, F. Convery, C. de Perthuis: 2010, Pricing Carbon: The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, 1st, Cambridge University Press,
  • A. Giddens: 2009, The Politics of Climate Change, Polity Press,
  • A. Gore: 2006, An Inconvenient Truth, Rodale,
Other Resources
6965, Journal, 0, Climate Policy, 6966, Journal, 0, Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 6967, Journal, 0, Energy Policy,
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
GCSTFGrad Cert. in Sustainable Energy Finance
MSEFMSc in Sustainable Energy Finance
Timetable this semester: Timetable for EF5107
Date of Last Revision24-JAN-12
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