Course Outline. Code: ENS320 Title: Climate Change Mitigation

Transcription

1 Course Outline Code: ENS320 Title: Climate Change Mitigation Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering School of: Science & Engineering Teaching Session: Semester 2 Year: 2018 Course Coordinator: Dr Kate English kenglish@usc.edu.au Course Moderator: A/Prof Neil Tindale Please go to the USC website for up to date information on the teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered. 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Description This course introduces you to climate change mitigation: actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sinks. You ll learn about atmospheric science, environmental economics, and international negotiations. You ll investigate emissions in the Australian economy and look at ways to reduce them. You ll use global greenhouse gas emission data and climate modelling projections to develop an international mitigation agreement that is fair and effective in avoiding dangerous climate change. This course is relevant to careers in science, planning, engineering, public policy and business. 1.2 Course topics Avoiding significant and irreversible changes to the global climate system will require enormous shifts in all aspects of human existence including how we produce energy, transport people and materials, house and feed a growing population and consume natural resources. This course will focus on: - the science of climate change, greenhouse gas sources and sinks, - modeling emission scenarios and their impacts on temperature and sea level, - investigating the links between socio-economic development, emissions and climate change, - examining national and international policy responses to reduce greenhouse gases, - economics of climate change mitigation policy and - exploring technological, economic and social responses that can manage emissions in a way that balances the needs of current and future generations and ensures the long-term integrity of environmental systems. 2. What level is this course? 300 level Graduate - Independent application of graduate knowledge and skills. Meets AQF and professional requirements. May require pre-requisites and developing level knowledge/skills. Normally taken in the 3rd or 4th year of an undergraduate program 3. What is the unit value of this course? 12 units Semester Recfind File Number: F14081

2 Page 2 4. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Describe the primary greenhouse gases sources and sinks, explain how they influence the global climate system, and discuss policy responses such as carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes. Find, analyse and critically appraise a diverse array of data and information used for decision making purposes on climate change mitigation. Identify and present measures to reduce emissions within particular sectors that consider the benefits and drawbacks of alternative technologies and actions. Understand the basic aspects of modelling the influence of greenhouse gas emissions on the climate and developing policy responses that take account of ethical and practical considerations. Assessment Tasks You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Assessment Task 3 Final exam Assessment Task 1 Emissions projections report Assessment Task 2 Report on emissions sources in Australia Assessment Task 1 Emissions projections report Assessment Task 1 Report on emissions sources in Australia Assessment Task 1 Emissions projections report Graduate Qualities or Professional Standards mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Knowledgeable. Creative and critical thinkers. Sustainability-focussed. Creative and critical thinkers. Sustainability-focussed. 5. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the USC Glossary of terms for definitions of pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites. 5.1 Enrolment restrictions Nil 5.2 Pre-requisites Nil 5.3 Co-requisites Nil 5.4 Anti-requisites ENS Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable) You won t be expected to have prior knowledge of climate science or economics. Students are expected to know how to use basic software programs such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint as well as the USC databases. There are workshops provided by USC in Academic Skills. The Essential Skills Workshop schedule can be found during orientation week on the USC webpage.

3 Page 3 6. How am I going to be assessed? 6.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL) 6.2 Details of early feedback on progress 6.3 Assessment tasks Task Assessment Tasks No. 1 Emissions projections report Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? Individual words +/- 10% When should I submit? Week 6 Where should I submit it? Blackboard 2 Report on emissions sources in Australia: Group 40 Part A: Oral presentation with draft outline Part A: 15 minutes Part A: Weeks 9 and 10 Part A: in class Part B: written report Part B: 2000 words +/- 10% 3 Final exam Individual 35 1 hour 50 minutes 100% Part B: Week 11 Week 13 Part B: Blackboard In lecture time Week 13

4 Assessment Task 1: Emissions projections report Page 4 Goal: Product: Format: Criteria: To describe the influence of different factors in a national greenhouse gas emissions inventory in a selected country (other than Australia) and to develop a global policy response that avoids dangerous climate change and considers the ethical challenges of this complex problem. The task involves using actual greenhouse gas emissions data from the IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios, national greenhouse gas emissions inventories and climate modelling projections to develop global emission reduction strategies and determine their likely effectiveness in avoiding dangerous climate change. The task involves making explicit decisions about the timing, location and types of gases which will be reduced. Resulting pathways reflect both practical and ethical choices with regard to developed and developing country mitigation effort, trade-offs between development and poverty, and intergenerational equity: outcomes that are at the heart of international climate change negotiations. Technical report on emissions projections for a selected country s greenhouse gas portfolio Technical report format with the output of computer modelling performed by the student. Report will include diagrams and figures and will be written in the format of a consultant s report with a brief cover letter. 1200words +/- 10%. The individual report will be assessed on: Format, style and presentation and use of sources and referencing Interpretation of the influence of different factors in a country s national greenhouse gas emissions inventory and of the global policy response that avoids dangerous climate change The use of actual greenhouse gas emissions data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), national greenhouse gas emissions inventories and climate modelling projections Research on current global emissions trends from the IPCC and a selected country s national assessment Analysis of the selected country s mitigation strategy as it reflects both practical and ethical choices, level of commitment relative to other developed and developing country mitigation efforts, trade-offs between development and poverty, and intergenerational equity: outcomes that are at the heart of international climate change negotiations National greenhouse gas emission trajectory for selected country (other than Australia), climate model parameters and accuracy of climate change projections Depth of analysis supporting the proposed global climate mitigation policy response that would avoid dangerous climate change Analysis of the rationale of country s emissions projection portfolio on its per capita emissions and percentage of global emissions over time Incorporation of ethical issues including inter-generational and intra-generational equity Consideration of technical and institutional limitations to the proposed policy response Clarity of communication and presentation Adherence to word limit

5 Page 5 Assessment Task 2: Report on sectoral emission reduction strategies in Australia. Goal: To investigate, analyse and present a report on selected sectors of the Australian economy (i.e. energy, agriculture, buildings, transportation) that describes: the emission sources and sinks within the sector, different actions or technologies that could be used to mitigate emissions in the sector, barriers to their adoption, and policies that would be supportive of their introduction and expansion. Product: Oral presentation with written report (including outline, literature review and referencing as initial submission) Format: Part A: Group oral presentation with supporting visual material, Part B: Written report, 2000 words. Criteria: Format, style and presentation, including sources and referencing Strength of arguments, analysis and reasoning: - Development and analysis - Graphics, tables and charts - Structure and transitions - Conclusions and recommendations Background literature used and referencing Organisation and meeting deadlines Individual contribution to group Assessment Task 3: Final exam Goal: Product: Format: To consolidate and demonstrate your knowledge of the key concepts, theories and practices in climate change mitigation. Exam 1 hour 50 minutes Multiple choice, short answer and long answer Criteria: Ability to identify/describe key mitigation terms and concepts with accuracy Ability to explain and relate social, economic or technological responses to climate change mitigation and to explain their strengths and limitations

6 Page 6 7. What are the course activities? 7.1 Directed study hours The directed study hours listed here are a portion of the workload for this course. A 12 unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Directed study hours may vary by location. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit. Location: Specific Campus(es) or online: USC Sunshine Coast Directed study hours for location: 13 x 2 hour lectures and 13 x 2 hour Computer Workshop 7.2 Course content Week #/ What key concepts/content will I learn? Module # 1 Relationships between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change and the sources and sinks for these gases at the global level. 2 Policy instruments for emission reductions, including carbon taxes, emissions trading schemes and offset projects. 3 Mitigation and sustainable development: how they fit together and the importance of cobenefits 4 International organisations and governance structures, agreements and reduction targets 6 Focus on Australia: national emission reduction goals and policies 7 Focus on climate science - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 8 Focus on international climate policy - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Please note course content is subject to variation. 8. What resources do I need to undertake this course? Please note that course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Blackboard site. Please log in as soon as possible. 8.1 Prescribed text(s) There is no prescribed text. It just can t be fit into a single text it would seem. The reading list brings together the most interesting and relevant sources of information needed to understand climate change mitigation and excel in your assessment tasks. Recommended readings will include sections of: IPCC Special Report on Emission Scenarios IPCC Fourth and Fifth Assessment Report: Working Group III Report, Summary for Policy Makers Garnaut Climate Change Review Australia's Low Pollution Future: The Economics of Climate Change Mitigation, Summary Additional readings will be posted after you have had a chance to identify your research interests. 8.2 Specific requirements None 9. Risk management Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility as a student to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers, and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study. It is also your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the University s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online Health Safety and Wellbeing training module for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

7 Page What administrative information is relevant to this course? 10.1 Assessment: Academic Integrity Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment. Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references. In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Blackboard, are electronically checked through SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to Assessment: Additional requirements Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 10.3 Assessment: Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension, you must contact your Course Coordinator and supply the required documentation to negotiate an outcome Study help In the first instance, you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance is provided to all students through Academic Skills Advisers. To book an appointment or find a drop-in session go to Student Hub. Contact Student Central for further assistance: or studentcentral@usc.edu.au 10.5 Links to relevant University policy and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades

8 Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability Page 8 Visit the USC website: General Enquiries In person: USC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs USC South Bank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay USC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture Tel: studentcentral@usc.edu.au