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Julia Mariasova

"Key Climate Agreements & Guidance for Policymakers" is a short course that explores the role of the public sector in decarbonisation of the economy and transition to net zero.  Specifically we will look at the NDC implementation framework and tools and mechanisms available to the governments to drive energy transition and decarbonisation.

This course is designed to:

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"Key Climate Agreements & Guidance for Policymakers" is a short course that explores the role of the public sector in decarbonisation of the economy and transition to net zero.  Specifically we will look at the NDC implementation framework and tools and mechanisms available to the governments to drive energy transition and decarbonisation.

This course is designed to:

  • provide the history of international negotiations on climate change and give a brief overview of key climate agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement and the history of COP (conference of the parties) meetings;

  • raise awareness about the role of governments in decarbonisation and energy transition;

  • explain what countries' Net Zero commitments and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) mean in practice;

  • discuss NDC implementation framework and provide examples of how it is addressed in some countries;

  • explain concepts such as adaptation, mitigation, maladaptation, carbon pricing, circular economy and many more

The course has been updated with the information on the latest COP27 and the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

You don’t need any prior knowledge of this subject, just an interest in government policy, climate negotiations and desire to learn about solutions to the formidable problem of climate change. However this course is best with its companion courses on Decarbonisation and Energy Transition (by sector).

At the end of the course, we will test your knowledge with the multiple-question quiz and provide you with the Handout Slides with the summary of main points from the course.

I hope you will enjoy this course and I am looking forward to your feedback and reviews.

Please check out my other courses.

Julia Mariasova

This course is part of the "CLIMATE CHANGE FOR   Key Climate Agreements & Role of Governments/Policymakers

2.  Every Company’s Guide to Climate Action & Achieving Net Zero

3.  Corporate Climate Reporting: Key Standards and Guidelines

4.  ESG in Executive Leaders' Agenda: Reporting and Analytics

5.  Power Sector Decarbonisation and Energy Transition

6.  Heavy Industry Decarbonisation and Energy Transition

7.  Transport and Mobility Decarbonisation & Energy Transition

8.  Blockchain Technology in Climate Change and Sustainability

You can find the links on my profile page - just click my name at the bottom of the course description just before the course reviews.

Always check my website (Shortlisted Productions) for the latest discounts on the courses and follow me on social media (LinkedIn)  

#decarbonization #energytransition #netzero #GHGemissions #climateaction #climateawareness #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatechange #ndc #Parisagreement #Kyotoprotocol #mitigation #adaptation #toolsandpolicies #circularity #carbonpricing #IRA #COP27 #Inflationreductionact

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction

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Your course instructor and a guest speaker
Key Climate Agreements and the history of International Negotiations
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This is a course update on COP27 where histroric agreement on establishing loss and damage fund has been reached.

Let's check what you've learnt!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the history of international climate negotiations, which provides context for current policy decisions and future agreements
Discusses the NDC implementation framework, which offers practical guidance for countries in achieving their climate goals
Explains concepts like adaptation, mitigation, maladaptation, carbon pricing, and circular economy, which are essential for understanding climate solutions
Updated with information on COP27 and the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which ensures the course remains current with recent developments
Belongs to a series of courses on climate change, which may provide a more comprehensive understanding of decarbonization and energy transition
Companion courses on Decarbonisation and Energy Transition are recommended, which suggests a deeper dive may require additional learning

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Reviews summary

Climate agreements & policymaker roles overview

According to learners, this course provides a clear and concise overview of key climate agreements and the role of governments and policymakers in decarbonization efforts. Many appreciate that the content is kept up-to-date, specifically mentioning coverage of COP27 and the US Inflation Reduction Act. Students found it a solid foundation for understanding complex topics, though some noted it serves better as an introduction rather than an in-depth analysis for experts. The instructor's expertise and the structured approach are frequently highlighted as strengths.
Serves as a good starting point.
"Excellent introductory course on the history and framework of climate agreements."
"This course is perfect for someone new to the topic or needing a policy overview."
"It's a good overview, but those needing deep technical detail might need more."
Knowledgeable and clear instructor.
"The instructor is clearly very knowledgeable and presents the material well."
"Found the explanations by the instructor easy to follow and understand."
"Julia Mariasova's expertise shines through in her explanations."
Covers recent policy developments.
"Appreciate that the course covers recent events like COP27 and the US Inflation Reduction Act."
"The updates on the IRA and COP27 were particularly valuable and showed the course is current."
"It was great to see the content included information from the latest COP meeting."
Provides a solid foundation.
"Gave me a great clear overview of the subject, which was exactly what I was looking for."
"I found this course to be a concise yet comprehensive introduction to key climate agreements and policy."
"Really helped me understand the complex history and role of governments in climate action."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Key Climate Agreements & Role of Governments & Policymakers with these activities:
Review Key Climate Agreements
Reinforce your understanding of the key climate agreements discussed in the course to build a solid foundation.
Browse courses on Paris Agreement
Show steps
  • Review the course materials on each agreement.
  • Summarize the key provisions of each agreement.
  • Identify the successes and failures of each agreement.
Review 'This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate' by Naomi Klein
Gain a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges related to climate change and potential alternative approaches.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key arguments.
  • Reflect on how the book's arguments relate to the course content.
  • Discuss the book's ideas with other students.
Write a blog post on Carbon Pricing Mechanisms
Solidify your understanding of carbon pricing by explaining different mechanisms and their potential impact.
Show steps
  • Research different carbon pricing mechanisms.
  • Outline the key features of each mechanism.
  • Write a blog post explaining the mechanisms and their potential impact.
  • Share your blog post on social media.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Review 'The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History' by Elizabeth Kolbert
Gain a broader perspective on the urgency of climate action by understanding the potential consequences of inaction.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key arguments.
  • Reflect on how the book's arguments relate to the course content.
  • Discuss the book's ideas with other students.
Analyze a Country's NDC
Apply your knowledge by analyzing a specific country's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and its implementation plans.
Show steps
  • Select a country and locate its NDC document.
  • Analyze the NDC's targets, policies, and implementation plans.
  • Assess the NDC's ambition and feasibility.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings.
Create a Presentation on the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Deepen your understanding of the IRA by creating a presentation that summarizes its key provisions and potential impact.
Show steps
  • Research the key provisions of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
  • Create a presentation outlining the IRA's goals and mechanisms.
  • Analyze the potential impact of the IRA on decarbonization.
  • Present your findings to a group of peers.
Volunteer with a Climate Advocacy Group
Gain practical experience and contribute to climate action by volunteering with a local or national advocacy group.
Show steps
  • Research local and national climate advocacy groups.
  • Contact a group and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Participate in volunteer activities, such as outreach, advocacy, or research.

Career center

Learners who complete Key Climate Agreements & Role of Governments & Policymakers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Climate Policy Analyst
A Climate Policy Analyst examines and develops policies related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This role involves researching climate-related issues, analyzing the impacts of existing policies, and proposing new strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices. This course will be useful for anyone who wishes to become a climate policy analyst, as it provides learners with an understanding of key climate agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. It also covers the role of governments in decarbonization and energy transition, which will further help a climate policy analyst in their day-to-day role. The course's exploration of Nationally Determined Contributions and the NDC implementation framework may further improve the understanding of a budding climate policy analyst.
Climate Change Consultant
A Climate Change Consultant assists organizations in understanding and addressing the risks and opportunities presented by climate change. The work of a climate change consultant involves assessing climate-related vulnerabilities, developing strategies for adaptation and mitigation, and advising on compliance with climate regulations. This course provides a strong foundation for anyone wanting to enter this field, as it explores international climate negotiations and agreements. The course's coverage of NDCs, adaptation, mitigation, and the role of governments in decarbonization can prove useful for climate change consultants, as well.
Climate Resilience Planner
A Climate Resilience Planner develops strategies to help communities and organizations prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This role involves assessing climate risks, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing plans to enhance resilience. For someone who wants to be a climate resilience planner, this course is useful. The course covers international climate negotiations, agreements like the Paris Agreement, and concepts such as adaptation and mitigation. Learning about NDCs and the role of governments in decarbonization can help climate resilience planners create effective adaptation strategies.
Carbon Market Analyst
A Carbon Market Analyst analyzes carbon markets and advises organizations on strategies for managing carbon emissions. Responsibilities include monitoring carbon prices, assessing risks and opportunities in carbon trading, and providing guidance on carbon reduction projects. This course is useful for a carbon market analyst, as it explores key climate agreements and the role of governments in decarbonization. Familiarity with Nationally Determined Contributions, carbon pricing mechanisms, and international agreements will help the carbon market analyst in evaluating carbon market trends and providing informed recommendations.
Environmental Advocate
An Environmental Advocate promotes policies and initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and addressing climate change. The duties of an environmental advocate involve raising awareness about environmental issues, lobbying for stronger environmental regulations, and engaging with communities to promote sustainable behaviors. Acquiring insights from this course into international climate negotiations and agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement can help an environmental advocate to be more persuasive. Understanding the role of governments in decarbonization and energy transition, as explored in this course, may further improve the advocacy work for climate action.
Energy Policy Advisor
An Energy Policy Advisor provides expertise on energy-related issues to government agencies or organizations. It is the advisor's job to analyze energy markets, recommend policy changes, and assess the impact of different energy sources on the environment. Aspiring energy policy advisors may find this course useful, since it offers a solid understanding of the role of governments in decarbonization and energy transition. Learning about key climate agreements, NDCs, and the US Inflation Reduction Act in this course can help an energy policy advisor in formulating effective energy policies.
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager leads a company's efforts to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. Sustainability managers assess the company's environmental footprint, set sustainability goals, and implement programs to reduce waste, conserve energy, and minimize pollution. This course will be useful for a prospective sustainability manager, as it explores the role of governments in decarbonization and energy transition. This course can help in understanding Nationally Determined Contributions, carbon pricing, and circular economy, which can further help in implementing effective sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability Consultant
A Sustainability Consultant helps organizations develop and implement sustainable practices. They assess environmental impacts, recommend strategies for reducing resource consumption, and advise on compliance with environmental regulations. For those people who wish to be sustainability consultant, this course may be useful, as it covers the role of governments in decarbonization and energy transition. The course also explores concepts such as adaptation, mitigation, circular economy, and carbon pricing. This background will empower the sustainability consultant to help businesses align with global climate goals and implement effective strategies. This course would be particularly beneficial in understanding the policy context, especially the content of the US Inflation Reduction Act.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
A Regulatory Affairs Specialist ensures that a company complies with all relevant laws and regulations. This role involves monitoring regulatory changes, interpreting regulations, and advising the company on compliance strategies. The course is useful for a regulatory affairs specialist, as it covers the role of governments in decarbonization and energy transition. Understanding key climate agreements, NDCs, and policies like the US Inflation Reduction Act may help regulatory affairs specialists navigate the evolving landscape of climate-related regulations.
Government Relations Manager
A Government Relations Manager establishes and maintains relationships with government officials to advocate for an organization's interests. This role involves monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, communicating the organization's position on relevant issues, and influencing policy decisions. The course is useful for a government relations manager, as it explores key climate agreements and the role of governments in decarbonization. Understanding Nationally Determined Contributions and the implications of policies like the US Inflation Reduction Act, both covered in this course, can help the government relations manager effectively engage with policymakers on climate-related matters.
Environmental Compliance Officer
The task of an Environmental Compliance Officer is to ensure that an organization adheres to environmental regulations and standards. This position involves conducting environmental audits, investigating environmental incidents, and implementing corrective actions. Environmental compliance officers may find this course useful, as it covers key climate agreements and the role of governments in decarbonization. Gaining knowledge about NDCs, adaptation, mitigation, and policies like the US Inflation Reduction Act may further improve one's understanding of, and adherence to, environmental compliance.
Energy Efficiency Consultant
An Energy Efficiency Consultant assesses energy consumption patterns and recommends strategies for reducing energy use in buildings and industrial processes. An energy efficiency consultant also conducts energy audits, identifies energy-saving opportunities, and advises on the implementation of energy-efficient technologies. This course may be useful for someone who wants to be an energy efficiency consultant, as it covers the role of governments in energy transition. This course helps in understanding policies like the US Inflation Reduction Act and concepts such as decarbonization, which can help energy efficiency consultants develop effective strategies for energy conservation.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager develops and implements strategies to ensure a company operates in an ethical and sustainable manner. These managers are tasked with assessing the company's social and environmental impact, setting CSR goals, and reporting on progress. This course may be useful to become a corporate social responsibility manager, as it covers the role of governments in decarbonization and energy transition. The knowledge of key climate agreements, NDCs, and concepts like carbon pricing and circular economy, as introduced in this course, may further improve understanding of the landscape of corporate sustainability.
Climate Data Scientist
A Climate Data Scientist analyzes climate-related data to develop insights and predictions about climate change impacts. A climate data scientist is responsible for collecting, processing, and analyzing climate data, developing climate models, and communicating findings to stakeholders. Aspiring climate data scientists might find this course useful because it provides an understanding of key climate agreements and the role of governments in decarbonization. One may find the course helps to better understand the context and implications of the data they analyze.
Environmental Project Manager
An Environmental Project Manager oversees projects aimed at protecting or restoring the environment. This role involves planning, coordinating, and executing environmental projects, such as habitat restoration, pollution cleanup, and renewable energy installations. For someone who wants to be an environmental project manager, this course may be useful. The course covers key climate agreements and the role of governments in decarbonization. Understanding concepts like circular economy and policies such as the US Inflation Reduction Act improves project management in a prospective environmental project manager.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Key Climate Agreements & Role of Governments & Policymakers.
Provides a critical perspective on the role of capitalism in the climate crisis. It challenges the prevailing economic models and explores alternative approaches to decarbonization. While not directly focused on policy, it offers valuable context for understanding the systemic challenges policymakers face. This book is more valuable as additional reading to broaden perspectives.
Explores the concept of mass extinction events and argues that humanity is currently causing the sixth one. It provides a broader context for understanding the urgency of climate action and the potential consequences of inaction. While not directly focused on policy, it offers a compelling narrative about the interconnectedness of environmental issues. This book is more valuable as additional reading to broaden perspectives.

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