Climate change and geopolitics

Climate change and geopolitics is an interdisciplinary course that examines the complex interplay between climate change and international relations. Students will learn how climate change shapes inter-state dynamics and how geopolitical forces influence global responses to climate change. Students will acquire knowledge about the evolution of scholarly and political understanding regarding the relationship between environment and inter-state relations throughout recent history. They will be able to critically evaluate the influence of climate change on conflicts and broader security concerns. The objective of the course is to allow students to identify key geopolitical factors that enable or prevent states from collaborating and reaching climate agreements. They will understand how climate responses generate new geopolitical dynamics and reshape the international arena. The acquired knowledge will enable students to envision innovative approaches to international climate cooperation that they will be able to apply in their future careers.

The course requires basic knowledge about climate change that students acquire in their first year of the study programme.

1. The evolution of scholarly and political understanding regarding the relationship between environment/climate and inter-state relations throughout recent history:
   * Environmental determinism of the 19th century
   * Climate geopolitics during the Cold War
   * Climate change as a security concern in the 21th century

2. The influence of geopolitics on international cooperation and agreements regarding climate change
   * Geopolitical factors that undermine or facilitate international cooperation regarding climate change (i.e. the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement…)
   * The concept of climate justice
   * The role of major powers in the global response to climate change

3. The effect of climate policies on geopolitics
   * Energy security and global scramble for strategic materials
   * Resource curse
   * Geoengineering as a potential source of international conflicts
   * Adaptation policies and inequality among states

Knowledge and understanding
* Knowledge about the evolution of scholarly and policy perspectives on the relationship between climate and geopolitics throughout recent history
* Critical thinking about the influence of climate change on conflicts and human security
* The ability to analyse the geopolitical factors that enable or constrain international cooperation and agreements on climate change
* Understanding of the concept of climate justice
* Knowledge about the consequences of our responses to climate change on inter-state relations

Written exam (65%), total grade from tutorials (25%), seminar (10%)