Climate Change, Development and Policy

Course Overview

This course (for non-specialists in the climate field) explores the multiple and interconnected dimensions of science and technology, and the economics, politics and policy of development. There is an emphasis on understanding the implications of climate change and climate policies for equity between, and within, countries. You gain specialist knowledge of the earth system and climate impacts, for example on water, food and ecosystem services. You gain practical experience of the methods, techniques and approaches used in the profession, including the financial and regulatory aspects of carbon management and climate risk management. Key facts: Climate change and sustainable energy are perhaps the most important issues of our time. The challenge is to make a worldwide transition to a low-carbon economy, while at the same time providing modern energy services to a growing population and adapting to the increasingly substantial, but often uncertain, impacts of a changing climate. Sussex is ranked 2nd in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016. You-ll be taught by faculty from the School of Global Studies, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). All three are renowned worldwide for agenda-setting research in environmental science, technology and innovation policy, international development, and climate, energy and sustainability policy. Our courses have a proven track record for graduate employment in the climate profession. We have an alumni network of professionals spanning the globe. Careers: There is a rapidly expanding market for climate professionals. This course prepares you for employment in a wide range of government, non-government and academic organisations, as well as private companies in the areas of climate change, development and energy policy. Our graduates are very successful in finding employment and developing careers in the profession, including among others: international organisations and agencies (including the UN Environment Programme, The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank) various NGOs (including the International Federation of the Red Cross, Renewable World, Action Against Hunger International) national government ministries and development agencies (including UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, DFID, GiZ) national environment agencies across the world a wide range of private-sector organisations (including energy utilities, the renewables sector, consultancy companies) and public-sector organisations (universities and not-for-profit organisations).