Climate Change Diplomacy
The intensifying impact of climate change, coupled with the perceived failure of the Copenhagen conference (COP 15), heightens the crucial role of international negotiations, especially for small and developing states.
The December 2010 climate change conference in Cancún, Mexico will provide another crucial step in building a global climate change architecture, with diplomats at the forefront of negotiations both during the meeting and in the months leading to the conference. Climate change will be equally important outside the realm of global diplomacy and within a diverse range of global and regional negotiation processes. Today officials involved in fields such as energy, trade, human rights, telecommunications and health also need knowledge about climate change issues.
This course brings together participants from diverse backgrounds to build skills and acquire the knowledge to engage effectively in climate change negotiations and policy processes. At an introductory level, the course will provide a broad overview of climate change issues, equipping participants to represent and promote the interests of their own countries in the global climate change policy process. By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- demonstrate understanding and the ability to participate in current diplomatic and policy processes in the field of climate change;
- employ current scientific and policy-related climate change terminology;
- identify those international institutional climate change frameworks where their national interests may be most effectively promoted;
- identify appropriate partners for climate change policy initiatives;
- recognise opportunities where global initiatives and processes can contribute to local development needs;
- propose or contribute to an effective national approach for participation in global climate change processes.
In addition, the course will broaden participants’ general understanding of climate change and the global policy response to climate change. In this regard, by the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of the climate change phenomenon and the impact of climate change on human society, including different views and schools of thought regarding climate change;
- identify and describe the interests of the main players in the climate change policy process;
- identify the various international legal documents and institutional frameworks dealing with climate change;
- explain the local relevance of global/regional climate change initiatives.
Course Outline
- Introduction to Climate Change Diplomacy: description of climate change; definitions, causes and effects; evolution of global discussion on climate change.
- Climate Change – A Cognitive Toolkit: a conceptual framework for approaching climate change issues; natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change; scientific uncertainty and the precautionary principle; equity versus efficiency; perfect versus “good enough” solutions; analogies; statistics; temporal aspects; developmental aspects.
- National State Actors in Climate Change Diplomacy: survey and classification of the main actors in climate change diplomacy; states; ad hoc coalitions and groupings; positions of the main players.
- Non-state Actors in Climate Change Diplomacy: the role of the media; the scientific community; non-governmental organisations; industry and the fossil fuel lobby; international organisations.
- Climate Change – Legal and Policy Instruments: international legal documents (Rio conference, UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen Accord); international policy documents (IPCC reports); soft law – policy studies and other important documents (Stern review).
- Climate Change – Levels of Activity: global level (UN World Summits, global institutions); regional activities; national activities; sub-national activities; individual lifestyle choices.
- Strategies, Policies (and Some Technologies): adaptation; economic development; mitigation; changing human behaviour (economic and non-economic instruments); alternative energy sources.
- The Road Ahead: Copenhagen negotiations and road to Mexico; criticism of the Kyoto Protocol; analysis of what a future framework should look like; alternative proposals for a post-Kyoto architecture.
Structure and Methodology
This course is conducted entirely online over a period of 10 weeks. Reading materials and tools for online interaction are provided through an online classroom. Courses are based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction. Each week, participants read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments and references in the form of hypertext entries. Tutors and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the lecture text. During the week, participants complete additional online activities (for example, further discussion via blogs or forums, quizzes, group tasks, simulations or short assignments). At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet online in a chat room to discuss the week’s topic.
To complete the course successfully, participants must also write one essay assignment. Participants who meet course requirements will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
Practical Information
Who should apply:
Diplomats, civil servants and academics from small and developing states involved in climate change policy processes and negotiations.
Application deadline:
The application deadline for 2010 courses has passed.
Timetable:
2010 Session 1: May 17 to July 23, 2010 (applications closed)
2010 Session 2: September 20 to November 26, 2010 (applications closed)
Check back soon for information on our 2011 programme.
Fees:
Euro 575 per participant. Full scholarships will be provided for diplomats, civil servants and academics representing developing states, with priority given to small developing states. Scholarship support is provided by the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Requirements:
Applicants must have:
- an undergraduate university degree; OR three years work experience in a relevant field;
- sufficient ability in English language to undertake postgraduate level studies (including reading academic texts, discussing complex concepts with other course participants, and submitting written essay assignments of up to 2500 words in length);
- unrestricted access to the Internet using Firefox or Internet Explorer web browsers (please contact us for more details if you are in doubt about your level of access).
Selection process:
Diplo will select up to 25 participants to attend each session of the course. Selected applicants will be notified after the application deadline.
How to Apply
Please apply online for this course. If you are requesting a scholarship, please upload a motivation letter with your application. This is a required document and your application will not be considered without it. The motivation letter should include:
- your relevant professional and educational background;
- the reasons for your interest in climate change diplomacy;
- why you feel you should be selected to participate in this course: how will this course benefit you, your institution and/or your country?
Late applications will be considered only if places remain in the course.
In case of enquiries, please contact us at admissions@diplomacy.edu.
