Program Overview

Introduction to CCSP 403: International Climate Change Policy

CCSP 403 provides an overview of international climate policy, drawing on policy-relevant physical climate change science, economics, game theory, ethics, and international relations theory relevant for climate policy. At the end of the course, students will understand and be able to critically analyze key decision-relevant aspects of climate change science and environmental economics, as well as the history, theory, and prospects of landmark efforts to govern climate change, domestically and internationally.

Course Details

• Dates: 6 July 2026 to 8 November 2026
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,384.80 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,679.00 for international students
• Lecture Start Times: Wednesday, 1.10pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.3 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 15 points

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Course Structure

Taught By

The course is taught by the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences — Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, can be found on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be communicated once the course has begun.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Describe and analyze key drivers of climate change policy in the international arena.
2. Identify key actors and institutions and their roles in the global climate change regime.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the ethical dimensions of climate change, along with differing country circumstances, and how these bear on the positions and strategies of different actors.
4. Advance a normative position on critical matters of global climate change politics using sound arguments and evidence.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills in written essays, presentations, and class discussions.
6. Explain how policy challenges posed by climate change transform our understanding of economic, social, and political systems at domestic and international levels.

How This Course is Taught

This course has one 2-hour lecture each week. The lecture can be attended in-person or synchronously online (using Zoom). All lectures are recorded, but the course is not designed to be taken asynchronously.

Assessment

• Narrated Slide Presentation: 20%
• Policy Brief: 35%
• Essay - Choice of two topics: 45%

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must:

1. Achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50%.
2. Complete all coursework requirements and participate in class discussions.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 6 July 2026 to 16 August 2026
• 31 August 2026 to 11 October 2026

What You'll Need to Get

You do not need to get any texts or equipment for this course.

Past Versions of This Course

Older versions of this course may be accessible through the course archive.