Climate change has become a key concern for policymaking, and in some countries is seen as part of core economic policy. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions will require changes in technologies, production and consumption. To achieve climate change mitigation at acceptable economic cost, and within constraints of political feasibility, requires well designed policies. Meanwhile, communities and businesses will need to prepare for impacts from climate change and adapt to them, presenting a different set of challenges for policy, institutions and development strategies.

This course provides an introduction to the principles and practice of domestic economic policymaking for climate change. It introduces students to the major debates and policy instruments, and provides a grounding for analysis of policy options.

The course covers the theory and practice of carbon pricing and alternative policy instruments for climate change mitigation, and principles and policy approaches for adaptation to climate change. It explores practical challenges of climate policy choice and design in developed and developing countries, with case studies from Australia, China and other countries. Economic concepts will be presented in a way that is accessible to non-economists.

Students are encouraged to actively engage and share their own perspectives.

This course is research-led teaching. Much of the material covered relates to issues that are of direct and current policy interest in a range of countries, and the lecturers are engaged in research on these issues. The course is being convened and taught by Dr Frank Jotzo, Director of the Centre for Climate Economics and Policy at the Crawford School. Prominent guest lecturers contribute to some of the sessions.

Students are encouraged to actively engage in discussion, and share their own perspectives.

The course will help students to

i) become familiar with the main concepts and debates on domestic climate change economics and policy;

ii) understand the principles and practical application of key policy instruments for climate change in different contexts;

iii) be able to critically assess policy proposals and put forward possible approaches for specific .

 Essays (75%, including in-class presentation); exam (25%).

One one-and-a-half hour lecture and one one-hour seminar per week, one workshop.

CRWF8006 International Climate Change Policy and Economics

Students without a background in economics will benefit from taking an introductory course such as EMDV8078 Introduction to Environmental and Resource Economics, POGO8016 Economic Way of Thinking I, or POGO8081Economics for Government.

Relevant research reports and journal papers.

Garnaut Climate Change Review and Stern Review of Economics of Climate Change.