About the course

International Environmental Policy focuses on the dynamic and rapidly expanding field of international environmental policy. International environmental policy has grown 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.

The emphasis of this course is on understanding the real-world dynamics of policy formation and debate. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from areas including ecology, law, economics, international relations and politics.

We begin by exploring the foundations of the course, including:

• Global dimensions of environmental degradation;
• International cooperation: why do we need it, and why is it difficult?
• What is IEP? who are the main actors, and how does it work?
• Where did it come from? its growth and development over recent decades;
• The policy-making process: how does an issue move from a local concern to international agreement?

We go on to engage more deeply, both in the classroom and through individual/group work, with major aspects, issues, direction, and debates within IEP. We examine:

• Dynamics between “North” and “South” – developed and developing countries
• Trade, globalisation and the environment
• The role of corporations
• The rise of new governance approaches: “governance without governments”.

Our field trip to the ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus is an opportunity to carry out interactive activities in a relaxed environment, as well as explore local indigenous culture and environmental management and the beautiful beaches and wildlife of the New South Wales south coast.

Major themes will include:

• What do we protect? Tensions between conservation and human/economic development;
• Who decides? Equity and power in international decision-making;
• When do we act? Conflicts around knowledge, science, and uncertainty;
• What strategies will work? "Command and control" vs market-based approaches.

These debates and issues will be explored through analysis of specific international environmental policy regimes, such as those on ozone, climate change, and biodiversity; and of topical case studies, such as biofuels and deforestation; bio-piracy and indigenous knowledge; and genetically modified organisms and international trade. The course also draws on contributions from leading ANU researchers in policy and international relations, and leading public sector practitioners.

Delivery Method

This course will incorporate lectures, including external speakers from contexts such as NGOs, corporations and government, and a range of learning approaches such as peer learning, small group seminars, panel discussions, workshops, and a simulated “Conference of the Parties”.

This course runs over 18 days, six days of which are a field trip to the ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus. Weekdays at ANU involve 4-5 contact hours, with an additional 3-4 hours work required per day. Three days (including a weekend) involve no teaching, but students will carry out a research assignment during this period, involving about 25 hours work. Field trip days involve approx 3 contact hours and 3 hours study per day.

Assessment Details

Assessment will include a wide range of activities including peer learning, student-facilitated tutorials, small group work, individual research and a mini “Conference of the Parties”. Planned assessment includes a class poster and presentations (10%), written case study (30%), peer-assessed tutorial facilitation (5%), participation (10%), and a learning portfolio (45% - including mini Conference of the Parties (10%) and tutorial facilitation (10%)).