This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between climate change and international development within the framework of the United Nations (UN). As climate change continues to be a critical global challenge, understanding its impact on international development initiatives is crucial for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. Key Topics:
• Introduction to Climate Change: An overview of the science, policy, practice and politics
emphasizing how it represents a failure of Western Civilization and the relationship between wellbeing and nature making it a global issue.
• UN and Climate Action: In-depth analysis of how science and law were used to shape the
agenda within different UN organizations linking international and national decision-making
and how Developing Countries were persuaded to find solutions for a problem they did not create. The discussion will consider roles, responsibilities, and collaborative efforts.
• Global Cooperation and Diplomacy: Analyzing the diplomatic history, dynamics of international cooperation and multilateral diplomacy in addressing climate change and sustainability within the UN framework, including key agreements and negotiations in the way the concept evolved and was challenged.
• Comparison of the approach of Western Civilization leading to climate change with Ecological Civilization of China and approach to shared prosperity to understand power politics within the United Nations as well as global change
• Climate Finance and Development Projects: Exploring the role of climate finance in solving political problems and not the problems themselves. Comparison of World Bank/ Global Environment Facility/UN organizations with the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, China’s Road-One-Belt Initiative in international development.
• Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development: Examining the importance and role of ecosystem services in developing fresh thinking on strategies and policies aimed at building climate resilience and fostering sustainable development, with a focus on their integration within UN agendas and initiatives and struggle of the Global South to get the issue on the global agenda.
• Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies: Assessing global efforts to mitigate climate change through emission reduction measures and adaptation strategies, and understanding their implications for international development and international cooperation.
By the end of this course, participants will gain a nuanced understanding of how climate change intersects with international development and global change in the context of United Nations organizations, equipping them with insights to understand how the world and UN Organizations work, as well as understanding the human wellbeing –nature relationship to be able to contribute effectively to sustainable and climate-resilient global development.
