Course Syllabus
Below is a week by week outline of the topics we will cover in the course, the instructor(s), video time, required readings, and assignments. Please note that this information may change throughout the course so always refer to the Course for the most up-to-date material.
Week 1
Module 1A: Implementing the Paris Climate Agreement (Part 1)
1.1 The Goal: < 2°C (Part 1)
1.2 The Goal: < 2°C (Part 2)
1.3 The Carbon Budget (Part 1)
1.4 The Carbon Budget (Part 2)
Professor: Jeffrey Sachs
Videos: 1.1 – 1.4 (approx. 45 minutes)
Required Readings (31 pages):
1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2015). Adoption of the Paris Agreement. 21st Conference of the Parties: United Nations. Articles 2, 4, 5, and 14, p22-23; 29 (3 pages).
2. United Nations General Assembly (2015). Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Seventieth Session of the General Assembly, New York: United Nations Sustainable Development Summit. p1-6; 14 (7 pages).
3. IPCC (2018). Chapter 1. Framing and Context. Global warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report. p51-52, 81-82 (4 pages)
4. IPCC (2018). Summary for Policymakers. Global warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report. p.6-19. (14 pages)
5. World Energy Council (2018). Executive Summary. World Energy Trilemma Index 2018. (3 pages)
Suggested Readings:
1. Reichstein, M., Bahn, M., Ciais, P., Frank, D., Mahecha, M.D., Seneviratne, S.I., Zscheischler, J., Beer, C., Buchmann, N., Frank, D.C., Papale, D., Rammig, A, Smith, P., Thonicke, K., van der Velde, M., Vicca, S., Walz, A. & Wattenbach, M. (2013). Climate extremes and the carbon cycle. Nature, Perspectives, 500, 7462, p287–295.
2. Monastersky, R. (2013). Global carbon dioxide levels near worrisome milestone. Nature, 497, 7447, p13-14.
3. Le Quéré, C. et al. (2018). Global Carbon Budget 2018. Earth System Science Data, 10, p.2141-2194.
4. UNEP (2018). Chapter 3. The Emissions Gap. Emissions Gap Report. p.16-22.
Week 2
Module 1B: Implementing the Paris Climate Agreement (Part 2)
1.5 Deep Decarbonization: Reaching Net-Zero by the Second Half of the Century (Part 1)
1.6 Deep Decarbonization: Reaching Net-Zero by the Second Half of the Century (Part 2)
1.7 Sources and Sinks: Energy, Land Use, CCS (Part 1)
1.8 Sources and Sinks: Energy, Land Use, CCS (Part 2)
1.9 Uncertainties, Precaution, and Insurance (Part 1)
1.10 Uncertainties, Precaution, and Insurance (Part 2)
Professor: Jeffrey Sachs
Videos: 1.5 – 1.10 (approx. 60 minutes)
Required Readings: (29 pages)
1. Mora, C, Spirandelli, D, Franklin, E, Lynham, J. (2018).
2. IPCC (2018). Chapter 2. Mitigation Pathways Compatible with 1.5°C in the Context of Sustainable Development. Global warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report. p.98-101. (4 pages)
3. Broecker, W. (2013). Does Air Capture Constitute a Viable Backstop Against a Bad CO2 Trip? Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, Commentary, 1, 000009. (3 pages)
4. GEIDCO (2018). UNFCCC: Global Energy Interconnection Is Crucial for Paris Goals. Press release. Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization. (2 pages)
5. The Nature Conservancy (2018). The Science of Sustainability: Exploring a unified path for development and conservation. (14 pages)
Suggested Readings:
1. King, D., Schrag, D.P, Dadi, Z., Ye, Q., & Ghosh, A. (2015). Climate Change: A Risk Assessment. Policy Brief. Cambridge:
2.. Rubin, E.S., Chen, C., & Rao, A.B. (2007). Cost and performance of fossil fuel power plants with CO2 capture and storage. Energy Policy, 25, 9, 4444-4454. (Subscription only)
3. Cormos, C.C. (2012). Integrated assessment of IGCC power generation technology with carbon capture and storage (CCS). Energy, 42, 1, 434-445. (Subscription only)
4. Portier C.J., Thigpen Tart K., Carter S.R., Dilworth C.H., Grambsch A.E., Gohlke J., Hess J., Howard S.N., Luber G., Lutz J.T., Maslak T., Prudent N., Radtke M., Rosenthal J.P., Rowles T., Sandifer P.A., Scheraga J., Schramm P.J., Strickman D., Trtanj J.M., Whung P-Y. (2010). A Human Health Perspective On Climate Change: A Report Outlining the Research Needs on the Human Health Effects of Climate Change. Research Triangle Park, NC: Environmental Health Perspectives/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. p iv-vii; 1-11; 60-64.
Week 3
Module 2A: Deep Decarbonization: The Three Pillars and National Case Studies (Part 1)
2.1 Deep Decarbonization Pathways Planning and Mid-Century Strategies
2.2 The Three Pillars of Decarbonization
2.3 Case Study: US Deep Decarbonization (Part 1)
2.4 Case Study: US Deep Decarbonization (Part 2)
Professor: Jim Williams
Videos: 2.1 – 2.4 (approx. 30 minutes)
Required Readings (34 pages):
1. Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (2015). Pathways to Deep Decarbonization 2015 Report: Executive Summary. Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) –– Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI). p3-16. (14 pages)
2. European Commission (2018). A Clean Planet for all: a European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy. p.6-15 (10 pages)
3. New Climate Economy (2018). Executive Summary. Unlocking the inclusive growth story of the 21st Century: Accelerating climate action in urgent times. p.4-13. (10 pages)
Week 4
Module 2B: Deep Decarbonization: The Three Pillars and National Case Studies (Part 2)
2.5 Case Study: Russia Deep Decarbonization
2.6 Case Study: Canada Deep Decarbonization
2.7 Case Study: Australia Deep Decarbonization
2.8 Challenges in the Decarbonization Transition
Professors: George Safonov, Chris Bataille, John Thwaites, and Jim Williams
Videos: 2.5 – 2.8 (approx. 30 minutes)
Required Readings (52 pages - suggestion: skim these):
1. Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project. Russia: Economic Diversification. DDPP Country Case Study. p1-2. (2 pages)
2. America’s Pledge (2018). A “bottom-up” opportunity agenda for climate action in the United States. p.6-41. (36 pages)
3. CIGI (2018). Pursuing Deep Decarbonization in Canada: Advice from Canadian Scholars. Centre for International Governance Innovation. p.1-8 (8 pages)
4. ClimateWorks Australia (2018). Tracking progress to net zero emissions. p.12-17. (6 pages)
Suggested Reading:
1. Project Drawdown: Take this quiz "How much do you know about solving global warming?
2. Williams, J.H., B. Haley, R. Jones (2015). Policy Implications of Deep Decarbonization in the United States. A report of the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP) of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) –– Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI). p8-15.
3. The White House. (2016). United States Mid-Century Strategy for Deep Decarbonization. Executive Summary. p5-20. (16 pages)
4. Bataille, C. et al. (2015). Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in Canada. A report of the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP) of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) –– Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI). p3-6. (4 pages)
5. Denis, A., Jotzo, F., Ferraro, S., Jones, A., Kautto, N., Kelly, R., Skarbek, A., Thwaites, J., Adams, P., Graham, P., Hatfield-Dodds, S. (2014). Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in 2050 – How Australia Can Prosper in a Low Carbon World. A report of the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP) of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) –– Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI). p2-5. (4 pages)
Week 5
Module 3: Low Emissions Electricity & Renewables
3.1 The Role of Innovation to Reduce Emissions
3.2 Innovative Off-Grid Energy Solutions
3.3 Renewables: Solar
3.4 Renewables: Wind
3.5 Nuclear Power
3.6 Transmission, Energy Storage and Grid Integration
3.7 Life Cycle Analysis
Professors: Ernest Moniz, Vijay Modi, Vasilis Fthenakis, Stephanie McClellan, William Horak, and Ryan Jones
Videos: 3.1 – 3.7 (approx. 75 minutes)
Required Readings (38 pages - skim (3)
1. McKibben, B. (2016, Aug 15). A World at War.
2. IRENA (2018). Renewable Power: Climate-safe energy
3. Jacobson, M, Delucchi, M, et al (2017). 100% Clean and Renewable Wind, Water, and Sunlight All-Sector Energy Roadmaps for 139 Countries of the World. Joule 1, p.108-120. (13 pages)
4. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank (2018). Executive Summary. Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report. p.6-10. (5 pages)
Suggested Readings:
1. UCS (2018). Executive Summary. The Nuclear Power Dilemma. Union of Concerned Scientists.
2. Shankleman, J. (2017, Mar 22). Big Oil Replaces Rigs With Wind Turbines. Bloomberg Markets. p.1-4.
3. Philibert, C. (2014). Technology Roadmap: Solar Photovoltaic Energy. International Energy Agency (IEA), Paris.
4. Schmalensee, R. et al. (2015). The Future of Solar Energy. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Energy Initiative: Cambridge, Massachusetts.
5. GWEC (2018). Annual Market Update 2017 Global Wind Report. Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
6. Kassakian, J.G. et al. (2011). The Future of the Electric Grid. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Energy Initiative: Cambridge, Massachusetts.
7. IRENA (2017).
8. IRENA (2018). Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2017. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Abu Dhabi.
9. Possner, A, Caldeira, K (2017).
10. NREL (2018). Cost-reduction roadmap for residential solar photovoltaics (PV), 2017-2030. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, D.C. p.vi-ix.
Week 6
Module 4: Agriculture and Emissions
4.1 Earth Observations for Climate Mitigation
4.2 The Need to Reduce Uncertainties in Global Land-Use Information
4.3 Global Crop Models and Their Potential to Assess Mitigation Options in Agriculture
Professors: Ian McCallum, Steffan Fritz, and Juraj Balkovič
Videos: 1.1 – 1.4 (approx. 30 minutes)
Required Readings (30 pages):
1. Rosenzweig et al. (2013). AgMIP Fact Sheet. The Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP). p1-2. (2 pages)
2. Rosenzweig et al. (2013). AgMIP Coordinated Global and Regional Assessment. The Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP). p1. (1 page)
3. Rosenzweig et al. (2013). AgMIP Modeling for Sustainable Farming Systems. The Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP). p1. (1 page)
4. Crespo Cuaresma, J., Danylo, O., Fritz, S., McCallum, I., Obersteiner, M., See, L., & Walsh, B. (2017). Economic Development and Forest Cover: Evidence from Satellite Data. Nature: Scientific Reports, 7, 40678, 1-8. (8 pages)
5. Stockholm Resilience Centre Research. The nine planetary boundaries. Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University. (2 pages)
6. Rockstrom et al. (2016). Sustainable intensification of agriculture for human prosperity and global sustainability. Ambio 46, p. 4-17. (11 pages)
7. Harper, A, Powell, T, et al. Land-use emissions play a critical role in land-based mitigation for Paris climate targets. Nature Communications 9, p.1-5. (5 pages)
Suggested Readings:
1. von Schuckmann, K., Palmer, M.D., Trenberth, K.E., Cazenave, A., Chambers, D., Champollion, N., Hansen, J., Josey, S.A., Loeb, N., Mathieu, P.P., Meyssignac, B. & Wild, M. (2016). An imperative to monitor Earth's energy imbalance. Nature Climate Change, 6, 138-144. (Subscription Only)
2. Friel, S., Dangour, A.D., Garnett, T., Lock, K., Chalabi, Z., Roberts, I., Butler, A., Butler, C.D., Waage, J., McMichael, A.J., & Haines, A. (2009). Public health benefits of strategies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions: food and agriculture. The Lancet, 374, 2016-2025. (Subscription Only)
3. Palazzo, A., Vervoort, J.M., Mason-D’Croz, D., Rutting, L., Havlik, P., Islam, S., Bayala, J., Valin, H., Kadi Kadi, H.A., Thornton, P., Zougmore, R. (2017). Linking Regional Stakeholder Scenarios and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways: Quantified West African Food and Climate Futures in a Global Context. Global Environmental Change.
4. See, L., Fritz, S., You, L., Ramankutty, N., Herrero, M., Justice, C., Becker-Reshef, I., Thornton, P., Erb, K., Gong, P., Tang, H., Velde, M., Ericksen, P., McCallum, I., Kraxner, F., & Obersteiner, M. (2014). Improved Global Cropland Data as an Essential Ingredient for Food Security. Global Food Security, 4, 37-45.
5. Fritz, S. & See, L. (2008). Identifying and quantifying uncertainty and spatial disagreement in the comparison of Global Land Cover for different applications. Global Change Biology, 14, 1057–1075. (Subscription Only)
6. Fritz, S., See, L., van der Velde, M., Nalepa, R.A., Perger, C., Schill, C., McCallum, I., Schepaschenko, D., Kraxner, F., Cai, X., Zhang, X., Ortner, S., Hazarika, R., Cipriani, A., Di Bella, C., Rabia, A.H., Garcia, A., Vakolyuk, M., Singha, K., Beget, M.E., Erasmi, S., Albrecht, F., Shaw, B., & Obersteiner, M. (2012). Downgrading Recent Estimates of Land Available for Biofuel Production. Environmental Science and Technology, 47, 3, 1688-1694. (Subscription Only)
7. Fritz, S., See, L., & Valin, H. (2013). Current Issues and Uncertainties in Estimating Global Land Availability for Biofuel Production. Biofuels Editorial, 4, 4, 343-345. (Subscription Only)
Week 7
Module 5A: Monitoring Land Use (Part 1)
5.1 Mitigation on Land and the SDGs (Part 1)
5.2 Mitigation on Land and the SDGs (Part 2)
5.3 GHG Mitigation in Agriculture (Part 1)
5.4 GHG Mitigation in Agriculture (Part 2)
Professors: Michael Obersteiner and Petr Havlik
Videos: 1.1 – 1.4 (approx. 45 minutes)
Required Reading (34 pages):
1. International Council for Science. (2017). Griggs, D.J., Nilsson, M., Stevance, A., & McCollum, D. (eds). A Guide to SDG Interactions: From Science to Implementation. International Council for Science: Paris. p7-10, 19-23, 63-66, 113-116, 161-164, 206-209, 227-236.(34 pages)
Suggested Reading:
1. Von Unger, M, Emmer, Igino. (2018). Carbon Market Incentives to Conserve, Restore and Enhance Soil Carbon. The Nature Conservancy.
2. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Sequestration. Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda. 95-130.
3. Paustian K, Lehmann J, Ogle S, Reay D, Robertson GP, Smith P. (2016). Climate-smart soils.Nature. 532(7597): 49-57.
4. Smith et al. (2016). Biophysical and economic limits to negative CO2 emissions. Nature Climate Change. 42-50.
5. Smith, L, Torn, M. (2013). Ecological limits to terrestrial biological carbon dioxide removal.Climatic Change. 118: 89-103.
Week 8
Module 5B: Monitoring Land Use (Part 2)
5.5 Using System Analysis for Globally Consistent National Mitigation Planning (Part 1)
5.6 Using System Analysis for Globally Consistent National Mitigation Planning (Part 2)
5.7 Case Study: Brazil’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution
5.8 Supply Chain Solutions to Deforestation: Evidence from Brazil
Professors: Hugo Valin, Aline Soterroni, and Nathalie Walker
Videos: 1.1 – 1.4 (approx. 45 minutes)
Required Readings (33 pages):
1. Obersteiner, M., Walsh, B., Frank, S., Havlik, P., Cantele, M., Liu, J., Palazzo, A., Herrero, M., Lu, Y., Mosnier, A., Valin, H., Riahi, K., Kraxner, F., Fritz, S., & van Vuuren, D. (2016). Assessing the Land Resource–Food Price Nexus of the Sustainable Development Goals. Science Advances, 2, p1-10. (8 pages)
2. Gibbs, H. K., Munger, J., L'Roe, J., Barreto, P., Pereira, R., Christie, M., Amaral, T., & Walker, N. F. (2016). Did Ranchers and Slaughterhouses Respond to Zero-Deforestation Agreements in the Brazilian Amazon? Conservation Letters, 9,1, p32-42. (9 pages)
3.
4. The Nature Conservancy (2018). Sustainable Land Bonds: How governments can finance climate commitments and strengthen rural economies. p2-7. (6 pages)
Suggested Readings:
1. Cederberg, C., Persson, U. M., Neovius, K., Molander, S., & Clift, R. (2011). Including Carbon Emissions from Deforestation in the Carbon Footprint of Brazilian Beef. Environmental Science and Technology, 45, 1773-1779.
2. Costa, M. H., & Pires, G. F. (2010). Effects of Amazon and Central Brazil Deforestation Scenarios on the Duration of the Dry Season in the Arc of Deforestation. International Journal of Climatology, 30, 13, 1970-1979.
3. Medvigy, D., Walko, R. L., Otte, M. J., & Avissar, R. (2013). Simulated Changes in Northwest US Climate in Response to Amazon Deforestation. Journal of Climate, 26, 22, 9115-9136.
4. Nepstad, D., McGrath, D., Stickler, C., Alecar, A., Azevedo, A., Swette, B., Bezerra, T., DiGiano, M., Shimada, J., Motta, R., Armijo, E., Castello, L., Brando, P., Hansen, M., McGrath-Horn, M., Carvalho, O., & Hess, L. (2014). Slowing Amazon Deforestation Through Public Policy and Interventions in Beef and Soy Supply Chains. Science, 344, 6188, 1118-1123. (Subscription Only)
Week 9
Module 6: Policy Tools for the Transition to a Low-Emissions World
6.1 Principles of Public Policy
6.2 Putting a Price on Carbon (Part 1)
6.3 Putting a Price on Carbon (Part 2)
6.4 Intellectual Property, Access, and Innovation
6.5 Climate Fairness & Justice (Part 1)
6.6 Climate Fairness & Justice (Part 2)
Professor: Jeffrey Sachs
Videos: 1.1 – 1.4 (approx. 90 minutes)
Required Readings (30 pages):
1. Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (2016). How Can Carbon Prices and Policies be Effectively Aligned? Executive Briefing. World Bank. p1-5. (5 pages)
2.
3. Whitley, S, Chen, H, Doukas, A, et al. (2018). G7 fossil fuel subsidy scorecard. ODI Report. London: Overseas Development Institute. p.5-6. (2 pages)
4. IPCC (2018). Chapter 2. Mitigation Pathways Compatible with 1.5°C in the Context of Sustainable Development. Global warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report. p.152-155. (4 pages)
Suggested Readings:
1. IRENA (2018). Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2018. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Abu Dhabi. p.4-13.
2. Huntjens, P. & Zhang, T. (2016). Climate Justice: Equitable and Inclusive Governance of Climate Action. The Hague Institute for Global Justice, Working Paper 16. p1-3; 1-19.
Week 10
Module 7: Low-Emission Solutions and the Business Community
7.1 Business Solutions for Climate Change
7.2 Technology Partnerships to Tackle Climate Change
7.3 Business Action in Practice: Renewables
7.4 Sustainable Transport Systems
7.5 The Role of Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
7.6 Course Conclusion: Public Actions Necessary to Reach 1.5°C
Professors: Peter Bakker, Maria Mendiluce, Mariana Heinrich, Edgar Galrao, William Sisson, and Jeffrey Sachs
Videos: 1.1 – 1.4 (approx. 45 minutes)
Required Readings (31 pages):
1. WBCSD (2018). LCTPi 2018 report: Going further, faster. A report of the Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiative (LCTPi) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). p.10-19. (10 pages)
2. Hunziker, R., Sisson, W., Dillingham, G., Graham, P., & Scharpf, M. (2016). How Private Sector Led Partnerships Can Drive Energy Efficiency. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), 2016 Summer Study of Energy Efficiency in Buildings. p1-12. (11 pages)
3. Bartlett, N., Whittington, E., Reuvers, S. & Thoday, K. (2016). Driving Low-Carbon Growth through Business and Investor Action. Contributing paper for Seizing the Global Opportunity: Partnerships for Better Growth and a Better Climate. New Climate Economy: London and Washington, DC. p1-8, 26. (10 pages)
Suggested Readings:
1. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2016). EEB Houston –– Market Engagement Snapshot: Progress and Achievements to Date. A report of the Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EEB) Project of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). p1-4.
2. United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport (2016). Mobilizing Sustainable Transport for Development. Analysis and Policy Recommendations from the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport.
3. IEA (2018). 2018 Global Status Report Towards a zero-emission, efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector. A report of the International Energy Agency (IEA) for the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction and the UNEP.
4. Becqué, R., Mackres, E., Layke, J., Aden, N., Liu, S., Managan, K., Nesler, C., Mazur-Stommen, S., Petrichenko, K. & Graham, P. (2016). Accelerating Building Efficiency: Eight Actions for Urban Leaders. A report by the Ross Center for Sustainable Cities of the World Resources Institute (WRI).
5. Corne, D., Mundie, C., & Rapos, M. (2016). Road Freight Lab: Demonstrating the GHG Reduction Potential of Asset Sharing, Asset Optimization and Other Measures. A report of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
6. The International Renewable Energy Agency (2017). REthinking Energy: Accelerating the Global Energy Transformation. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Abu Dhabi.
7. Cazzola, P., Gorner M., Teter, J., & Yi, W. (2016). Global EV Outlook 2016: Beyond One Million Electric Cars. A report by the Energy Technology Policy division of the Directorate of Sustainability Technology and Outlooks of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
8. Landolina, S. & Maltsoglou, I. (2017). How 2 Guide for Bioenergy: Roadmap Development and Implementation. A joint report by the International Low-Carbon Energy Technology Platform of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Climate, Energy and Tenure Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
9. Delorme, P. (2019, Jan. 22). What’s really driving corporate climate action? World Economic Forum. This article from the 2019 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting outlines the four key findings of a survey by Schneider Electric and Greenbiz Research that aimed to find what motivates corporations to address climate change. The complete Schneider Electric/Greenbiz Research report can be found here.