International Environmental Policy

23 July – 8 August 2008
Australian National University, Canberra

Location: ANU Campus, Kioloa Field Station

Course Description

International Environmental Policy focuses on the dynamic and rapidly expanding field of international environmental policy. International environmental policy has grown rapidly and dramatically over the last three decades, driven by concern over unprecedented and large-scale global environmental change, including climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, marine degradation, and expanding trade and consumption.

International environmental policy now directly and indirectly affects the behaviour and decisions of governments, corporations, NGOs, local communities and individuals.

This course will incorporate lectures, panel discussions, debates and workshops. The emphasis is on understanding the real-world dynamics of policy formation and debate. Lectures will include external speakers from contexts such as NGOs and government.

The course will cover the nature of IEP; its development over recent decades; the actors and institutions which form and influence it; and the conflicts which shape it. The course will introduce and examine key areas of debate within IEP, such as tensions between conservation and development; conflicts around knowledge, science, and uncertainty; and reliance on "command and control" vs market-based approaches. Cross-cutting issues include gender, the fight against poverty, and the role of corporations.

These debates and issues will be explored through analysis of topical case studies, such as equity and climate change; biodiversity and livelihoods; biofuels and deforestation; and genetically modified organisms and international trade. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from areas including ecology, law, economics, international relations and politics.

Course tuition fee: AUD 2800
Field-study costs: Approx AUD 450
Accommodation: AUD 780–1560

Website: info.anu.edu.au/ovc/Executive/020PP_Strategies,_Initiatives_and_Alliances/IARU/ANUgsp.asp

Further enquiries: Mr Tim Mansfield, E-mail iaru.gsp@anu.edu.au