Download Module Specification - Cass Business School

MODULE SPECIFICATION – UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
KEY FACTS
Module name
Module code
School
Department or equivalent
UK credits
ECTS
Level
Delivery location
(partnership programmes
only)
Climate Change and its impact on the World Economy
FR3210
Cass Business School
UG Programme
15
7.5
6
MODULE SUMMARY
Module outline and aims
This module aims to provide a clear analytical and comprehensive framework, as well as
international policy dimensions in the topical issues of climate change and resource
crises.
The course provides you with the necessary information, knowledge and problemsolving skills to understand the technological, economic, political and institutional forces
ushered in by climate change and associated resource scarcities.
The course aims to introduce you to the most serious dangers confronting the world
economy, international trading conditions and capital flows in the early decades of the
21st Century. Graduate students will be confronted with these challenges at every step
in their careers in private and public organisations in the years to come. It critically
examines the causes and uneven impact of dangerous anthropogenic climate change in
the short-, medium -and long- run, on both developed and tiers of developing
economies. It is argued that climate change is the most urgent and potentially
catastrophic threat facing the world economy, society and humanity. Its multidimensional consequences will increasingly disrupt and restructure industries and
national and international economic relations.
Further, you are exposed to the fact that Climate Change also directly causes, and
accentuates or exacerbates the onset and confluence of a major set of current and
impending resource crises: water, food, energy and minerals. At the same time, several
economists and policy makers also trace global environmental and resource problems to
what is termed as over population. The chief scientific advisor to the UK Government
has predicted a population-led global crisis by 2030.
The course then examines the proposed solutions and policies for implementation
discussed in the international community: new technologies for mitigation and
sustainable emissions paths, emission reduction targets, R&D on new low carbon
technologies and renewables, carbon pricing and markets, adaptation and forms of
international action, emerging technologies for adaptation, international cooperation,
national action, mitigation and adaptation financing, and technology transfer.
These developments, regulations and international coordinated policies are having, and,
will increasingly have a critical impact on several industries, including the imposition of
specific emissions requirements thus affecting competition.
Content outline
1. DANGEROUS ANTHROPOGENIC CLIMATE CHANGE : Scientific evidence,
predictions and consequences for the world economy, ecosystems, biodiversity and
humanity
2. GLOBAL STRATEGIC RESPONSES : Emission Pathways, Mitigation and Adaptation
Technologies
3. INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS 2007-10,FINANCIAL MECHANISMS AND
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER : market failure, market mechanisms and the visible hand
4. THE CONFLUENCE OF RESOURCE CRISES 2010s- 2030s : ENERGY SUPPLY
AND DEMAND, RENEWABLES, AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
5. RESOURCE CRISES : WATER
6. RESOURCE CRISES : FOOD , AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
7. RESOURCE CRISES : MINERAL RESOURCE DEPLETION AND COMMODITIES
8. CHANGING PATTERNS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE, INVESTMENT AND
ECONOMIC RELATIONS
9. CLIMATE CHANGE AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
10. CLIMATE CHANGE, GLOBAL GREEN REGULATION, RISK MANAGEMENT AND
FINANCE
WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE?
On successful completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to:
Knowledge and understanding:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific, technological, financial,
economic, and global governance issues raised by the onset of dangerous climate
change
- Form a good understanding of the scientific evidence on the causes of anthropogenic
climate change, the operation of positive feedback effects and the existence of tipping
points.
- Demonstrate knowledge and a good understanding of the concepts and strategies for
and deployment of mitigation technologies, time paths to emission reductions and
implications for regions and national economies of a now apparently unavoidable
average temperature rise of 2C or of a catastrophic 4C and above
- Form a balanced and informed understanding and view of the strategies for adaptation
to unavoidable climate change, international cooperation and methods of financing
adaptation in developing economies
- Develop an informed view of the impact of climate change on the origins and
progression of serious resource crises and shortages in water, energy sources,
minerals, commodities and food in some detail
- Demonstrate knowledge and a sufficient understanding of the implications of
climate change, and, mitigation and adaptation strategies on major world industries,
such as energy, food and agriculture, water, commodities, minerals and metals, shipping
and transport, insurance and healthcare: mitigation and adaptation at the sectoral level
- Acquire a good knowledge foundation on the implications of impending resource
conflicts, raw material shortages, mass migrations and collapsing ecosystems for
international political economy, global and corporate governance and activities by MNCs
and entrepreneurial start-ups
- Obtain an understanding of the role of converging and emerging nanotechnologies
for mitigation and adaptation strategies, the development of new green technologies,
the implementation of UNEPs New Green Deal and resolutions of resource crises
Skills:
- Develop, demonstrate and apply analytical skills, problem solving tools and cognitive
skills commensurate with the concepts encountered and taught in this module.
- Adapt communication skills to different audiences
- Develop problem solving skills
- Work more effectively in teams
- Understand and evaluate the implications of climate change and resource crises on
international trade, finance and investment.
Values and attitudes:
- Appreciate the moral, ethical and philosophical issues involved in making management
and business decisions in an age characterized by climate change, the need to prevent
the collapse of ecosystems and species, resource scarcities, poverty and meeting basic
needs in developing economies.
HOW WILL I LEARN?
Interactive lectures, in class and private problem solving and group discussions with
detailed and directed study of relevant materials before and after the lecture.
Teaching pattern:
Teaching
component
Teaching Contact
type
hours
Lecture
Lecture
Totals
Placement
hours
22
Selfdirected
study
hours
128
0
Total
student
learning
hours
150
22
128
0
150
WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT?
Assessments
Coursework essay on original topics: developing business strategy for sectors and firms
in response to climate change and resource crises, 3,000 words. Groups of max 2-3
students. This will be assessed against specific learning outcomes outlined above.
Exam.
Assessment pattern:
Assessment
component
Coursework
Exam – 2.25
hours
Assessment Weighting Minimum Pass/Fail?
type
qualifying
mark
Written
30
0
N/A
assignment,
including
essay
Written
70
0
N/A
Exam
Assessment criteria
Assessment Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes students need
to demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully and Grade-Related
Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes students need to
demonstrate to achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment. Assessment Criteria
and Grade-Related Criteria for module assessments will be made
Feedback on assessment
Following an assessment, students will be given their marks and feedback in line with
the Assessment Regulations and Policy. More information on the timing and type of
feedback that will be provided for each assessment will be available from the module
leader.
Assessment Regulations
The Pass mark for the module is 40%. Any minimum qualifying marks for specific
assessments are listed in the table above. The weighting of the different components
can also be found above. The Programme Specification contains information on what
happens if you fail an assessment component or the module.
INDICATIVE READING LIST
CORE TEXTS:
Professor John Houghton, (2009), GLOBAL WARMING : THE COMPLETE BRIEFING,
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, www.cambridge.org
Professor Catharine Gautier, (2009), OIL,WATER AND CLIMATE : AN
INTRODUCTION , CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
ADDITIONAL:
Dieter Helm and Cameron Hepburn, eds , ( October 2009 ) , The Economics and Politics
of Climate Change , Oxford University Press
Nicholas Stern, (2008) , The Economics of Climate Change , Richard T Ely Lecture,
American Economic Review : Papers and Proceedings 2008 , 98:2, 1-37
Human Development Report : Fighting Climate Change 2007/8 , UNDP A very clear
analysis of climate change issues, mitigation, adaptation and regional vulnerabilities
Doumanides, Haris and Lakis Kaounides (2010, forthcoming), Climate Change,
Resource Crises, New Technologies and Developing Economies , University of Cyprus
Press . Selected draft chapters.
Stern, Nicholas ( 2006 ) The Economics of Climate Change : the Stern Review,
Cambridge University Press
Maritime Transport and the Climate Change Challenge, Papers, UNCTAD , Geneva,
Expert Meeting , 16-18 February 2009 , Chairman Professor Costas Grammenos
World Investment Report ( 2009) Transnational Corporations , Agricultural Production
and Development, UNCTAD , Geneva
Selected Documents and Papers from UNEP, UNIDO, World Bank, OECD, UNIPCC, UK
Meteorological Office, and others
Version: 1.0
Version date: July 2012
For use from: 2012-13
Appendix: see http://www.hesa.ac.uk/content/view/1805/296/ for the full list of JACS
codes and descriptions
CODES
HESA Code
27
Description
JACS Code
F851
Description
N100
N200
N300
Business and Management
Studies
Topics in Environmental
Sciences of industrial or
commercial importance.
The study of organisations
and the environment in which
they operate.
The study of managing
organisations.
The study of financial
systems, regulations and
reporting.
Price Group
D
Percentage (%)
25
25
25
25