Environment and Development

Course title

6M020800

Purpose of class

This course aims to explore the relationship between climate change actions and multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It overviews the international policy framework on climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Moreover, it examines the positive and negative social, economic, and environmental impacts of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions at the national and local levels. The positive effects extend to various areas, including economic growth, infrastructure development, cost-effectiveness enhancement, and health benefits.
In contrast, inequity, energy poverty, job loss, biodiversitydegradation, and food insecurity have emerged as negative impacts. The course provides an opportunity to understand how climate policy interventions can sustainably transform society by enhancing synergies and reducing trade-offs, with positive socio-economic impacts.

Course content

The course comprises three blocks as follows:
Block 1: Giving an overview of the climate science and policy framework on climate change and the 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment: What is the scientific evidence of climate change? What is the Paris Agreement? What is the 2030 Agenda forSustainable Development?
Block 2: Identifying synergies and trade-offs between climate change actions and social, economic, and environmental impacts andfinding solutions: What are the social, economic, and environmental effects of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions? How do specific climate change actions influence SDGs? How can climate actions enhance synergies and reduce trade-offs betweenclimate change actions and social, economic, and environmental impacts?
Block 3: Designing climate change actions with co-benefits on the SDGs: How can the climate policy be designed to contribute to theSDGs in a selected city or country?

Goals and objectives

Define and identify the basic concepts and theories regarding environmental development
Speak and write critically about issues regarding environmental development
Critically evaluate existing policies and come up with alternative approaches to the ongoing environmental issues
Lead discussions and exchange ideas among students with different backgrounds about environmental issues (leadership, teamwork, and mutual understanding)
Formulate a piece of an academic essay/a presentation on a topic of environmental issues

Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

	Class participation/discussion	Quiz	Policy brief	Group project	Total.
1.	5%	5%	5%	5%	20%
2.	5%	5%	5%	5%	20%
3.	5%	5%	5%	5%	20%
4.	5%	5%	5%	5%	20%
5.	5%	5%	5%	5%	20%
Total.	25%	25%	25%	25%	-

Language

English

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1．	Introduction	Syllabus review	60minutes
1．	Introduction	Quiz	40minutes
2．	Environment and development	Quiz	100minutes
2．	Environment and development	Reading assignment	100minutes
3．	Overview of the Paris Agreement	Quiz	100minutes
3．	Overview of the Paris Agreement	Reading assignment	100minutes
4．	Overview of the2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development	Quiz	100minutes
4．	Overview of the2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development	Reading assignment	100minutes
5．	Recent developments and current trends	Quiz	100minutes
5．	Recent developments and current trends	Reading assignment	100minutes
6．	Interlinkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals	Quiz	100minutes
6．		Reading assignment	100minutes
7．	Case study 1: Climate, Energy, and Net Zero Transitions	Quiz	100minutes
7．	Case study 1: Climate, Energy, and Net Zero Transitions	Reading assignment	100minutes
8．	Policy brief 1	Reading assignment	100minutes
9．	Policy brief 1 reflection	Reading assignment	100minutes
9．	Policy brief 1 reflection	Group project preparation	100minutes
10．	Case study 2: Sustainability, Well-Being, and Just Transitions	Quiz	100minutes
		Reading/written assignment (Policy brief 2)	100minutes
		Group project preparation	100minutes
11．	Case study 3: Health, Social Welfare, and Inclusive Development	Quiz	100minutes
		Reading/written assignment (Policy brief 2)	100minutes
		Group project preparation	100minutes
12．	Case study 4: Cross-cutting SDG Challenges in a Post-COVID World	Quiz	100minutes
		Reading/written assignment (Policy brief 2)	100minutes
		Group project preparation	100minutes
13．	Group project	Group project preparation
13．	Group project	Written assignment (Policy brief 2)
14．	Group project	Group project preparation
Total.	-	-	2500minutes

Evaluation method and criteria

Class participation/discussion: 25%
Quiz: 25%
Policy brief: 25%
Group project: 25%

Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.

ways of feedback	specific contents about "Other"
Feedback in/outside the class.

Textbooks and reference materials

Course readings are provided online, with external links where necessary due to copyright restrictions.
Mandatory readings – Necessary for in-class discussion and building up essential knowledge throughout the course.
Optional readings – to deepen your understanding and get some ideas for in-class discussion questions.

Prerequisites

Students must have a TOEIC score of 550 or above, or equivalent English proficiency.
The ideal class size is 10–15 students, with priority given to International Programme students and those with higher scores.
This English-medium course emphasises active learning and discussion.
Students must complete assigned materials, take pre-class quizzes, and participate actively in class.

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions

By e-mail appointment

Regionally-oriented

Non-regionally-oriented course

Development of social and professional independence

Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
Non-social and professional independence development course

Active-learning course

Most classes are interactive

Course by professor with work experience

Work experience	Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
Applicable	The class will be organised around the instructor’s professional experience as a Research Fellow and Consultant at the United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), with expertise in climate and sustainability governance, the SDGs, and digital transformation, as well as engagement in EU–Japan AI and sustainability initiatives.

Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals