“Every action matters

Every bit of warming matters

Every year matters

Every choice matters.”

These words are the brief summary of a 2018 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the scientific advisory board of the United Nations. They make us feel the urge of doing something soon. But what should we do? How and who should act?

In earlier courses, we already set out what is needed to limit the impact of climate change. In this course, we will explore the role of national governments, the international community, companies, and sub-national governments, like cities, municipalities, provinces, and regions. We start from the idea that climate governance is polycentric. None of these parties can mitigate the dangers of climate change all by themselves. Each of these types of organization has its particular strength. If you work – or plan to work – in or with any such organization, then through this course you will learn how to be successful and effective in playing your part in mitigating climate change.

Important elements that will be discussed for the various players in the field are:

• What roles can the different organizations play and what role can I play within my organization?
• How can emission reduction targets be set so that they are both ambitious and feasible?
• How can meaningful emission reduction plans be developed that actually result in emission reduction on the ground?

In addition to the lectures, the course also includes interviews with experts who have been successful in their own organizations. They are willing to share the failures and critical success factors in their strategies. The exercises will instigate you to think in practice what you have learnt and explore your part in mitigating climate change where you are positioned now or plan to be. Enriched by relevant readings, this course will let you dive deeper into specific areas of interest you might have and further facilitate your learning experience and take action!

 

We hope you enjoy this self-paced course!

 

The course team