Climate Change Diplomacy-Course

Background

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Understanding climate change is a work in progress for the scientific community, however the risks that it already poses mean that mitigation and adaptation efforts command the expertise of economists, development agencies and policy makers alike. This course brings together these cross-cutting themes in the context of diplomacy by introducing challenges from a scientific perspective, examining the international policy framework of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, and analyzing the most important issues concerning diplomats and negotiators working in this field.

Event Objectives

This online course aims to facilitate international negotiations, public sector work, and diplomatic engagement in relation to climate change through an enhanced understanding of its science, international policy framework, and the key negotiation issues pertinent to a post 2012 agreement.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, participants should be able to:

• Comprehend climate change science and the observed and projected climate change impacts
• Explain the international climate change policy framework, including the climate change negotiations to date
• Define both climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Appreciate international considerations for climate change decision-making
• Appraise the key issues in the ongoing international climate change negotiations, and recognize and analyse the next steps for COP17 and beyond

Content and Structure

The course content is to be confirmed but will tentatively include the following one-week modules:

1. Climate Change Science, Causes and Impacts
2. Introduction to Climate Change Diplomacy
3. Implementation, Compliance and Enforcement of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol
4. Mitigating Climate Change
5. Adapting to Climate Change
6. International Considerations for Climate Change Decision Making
7. Other Important Considerations for International Climate Change Negotiations
8. Towards a Post 2012 Agreement 

More  http://www.unitar.org/mdp/

Contact Email: mdp-elearning@unitar.org