PPE: Climate Change, Politics, and Environmental Justice

Perhaps the greatest challenge facing humankind is anthropogenic climate change, the rapid warming of the earth’s temperature driven by the consumption of fossil fuels, and the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In this course you will investigate the political challenges and economic consequences of both action and inaction on climate change, utilizing case studies on a local, national, and international scale.

The course begins with an introduction to the principles of environmental sustainability, exploring some of the legal, regulatory, and economic changes needed for a low-carbon and socially equitable transition. You will progress to an in-depth examination of environmental policy and governance, investigating the dynamics and processes shaping global environmental politics today. An important aspect of climate change is that some of those least responsible for emissions are likely to suffer the greatest impact from rising temperatures, and in the final part of the course we will consider global warming and climate change in terms of social justice, human rights, and intergenerational equity, asking how we can achieve a 'just transition' to a decarbonized world.

This varied and interdisciplinary course will provide you with a deep understanding of this vitally important global challenge.

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) is a combined interdisciplinary area of study that has been taught at the University of Oxford since the early 20th century to equip students with the breadth of expertise required to understand and influence the world around us.

Dates and availability

Available as a Residential or Online course on the following dates:

Session 2: 15th July to 2nd August 2024