PP417W Half Unit
The Practice of Effective Climate Policy
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Aurelien Saussay
Availability
This course is available on the Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-Columbia), Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-Sciences Po), Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-University of Toronto), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MPA in Data Science for Public Policy, Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
Priority given to School of Public Policy students. Students from outside of the School of Public Policy should submit a statement in support of their request.
Please note it is not possible to take both PP417A and PP417W.
Deadline for application: 9am on Monday of AT Week 1 (including requests from School of Public Policy students). We aim to inform students of the outcome of their request by 12noon on Tuesday of AT Week 2.
For queries contact: spp.doubledegrees@lse.ac.uk
Requisites
Mutually exclusive courses:
This course cannot be taken with PP417A at any time on the same degree programme.
Course content
This course will introduce students to the problem of climate change and the ways in which policy might be effectively used to address it, with a particular emphasis on the economics of climate change mitigation. It will provide:
- the basic science of climate change
- an overview of the mechanisms linking economic activity and anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, how to assess the cost of climate change to society
- the political economy and governance of climate change mitigation
- how policymakers can use economic instruments to help decarbonize our economies and prepare for the adaptation to climate change impacts.
The course will be grounded in cutting-edge academic research and structured around topics which are relevant to current climate policy debates. The emphasis will be on giving students the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve a deep and broad understanding of climate policy and the ability to mobilize the most recent academic research to make a difference on the climate front – whether working in government, the private sector or advocacy. The course content will be complemented by up to three seminars dedicated to guest lectures by practitioners active in the climate policymaking space.
The assessments will build on the foundational information disseminated through the 10 seminars. Students will deliver a policy essay on a climate-related policy question of their choice, designed under the supervision of the course convener. This main summative will be completed by a quantitative exercise designed to familiarize students with the basics of quantitative climate policy design and analysis. Finally students will also deliver 5-min individual presentations during lectures and seminars on an article provided by the course convener.
Teaching
20 hours of seminars and 10 hours of workshops in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative assessment
One page outline of the summative policy essay
Indicative reading
- IPCC (2022) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) Synthesis Report (SYR)
- Baede, A. P. M. (2001) "The climate system: an overview." Climate change 2001: the scientific basis: 38-47
- Nordhaus, W. D. (2017). Revisiting the social cost of carbon. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(7), 1518-1523.
- Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes
- Governing the Commons by Elinor Ostrom
Assessment
Presentation (20%)
Essay (60%, 3000 words)
Data analysis (20%)
Presentation (20%) will consist of a 5-minute individual presentation
Data Analysis (20%) will consist of a quantitative exercise
Essay (60%)
Key facts
Department: School of Public Policy
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 29
Average class size 2024/25: 29
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness