Climate Change Adaptation (30 credits)

Key information

Year of study
April intake
Credits
30
Department
Centre for Development, Environment and Policy

Module overview

Scope

While much attention is on how to mitigate the causes of human-driven climate change, evidence now shows that impacts of a changing climate are being felt globally. Adaptation to climate change impacts is hence becoming a fundamental concern globally and especially in resource-constrained contexts.   

This module provides a comprehensive and critical grounding in the theory and practice of climate change adaptation. Throughout, students are invited to critically reflect on the different knowledge systems that can influence adaptation science. Taking a justice-centred approach, we examine the underlying political and economic conditions that result in inequalities in both vulnerability to climate change and the capacity to adapt for different places and people. The module then looks at contemporary adaptation practice across a range of fields including social policy, early action, governance and planning. Using theory and real-world examples, we question how contemporary global development both causes climate change and generates the need for adaptation, critically analysing the extent to which adaptation efforts can and are transforming the conditions that create vulnerability and limit the capacity to adapt. 

Syllabus 

Topics include (indicative):

  • Development as Both Causing and Impacted by Climate Change
  • The Need for Adaptation
  • Conceptualising Adaptation
  • Conceptualising Vulnerability
  • Conceptualising Resilience
  • Development Pathways, Trajectories and Climate Change Adaptation
  • Conceptualising And Operationalising Climate Resilient Development
  • The Economics of Climate Change
  • Economics And Climate Justice
  • Adaptation Governance, from the Local to the Global
  • Climate Change Adaptation and Social Policy
  • Technologies for Adaptation
  • Knowledge Systems and Adaptation
  • Agrarian Change and Adaptation
  • Prospects for Adaptation Above 2° C

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

  • Understand and articulate clearly the implications of climate change adaptation thinking for development prospects in practice
  • Understand and be able to evaluate critically the contribution of adaptation, vulnerability and resilience theory to understandings of development in the face of climate change
  • Critically evaluate debates around the role of the prevailing global political economy in the production of climate impacts and poverty
  • Explain and assess current strategies for adaptation and development, and critically evaluate the extent to which these are likely to resolve or exacerbate the problems climate change poses for development
  • Understand and engage critically with debates around development, adaptation and transformation

Workload

We recommend students dedicate 10 - 15 hours of study time per week.

 

Suggested reading

  • Hakon Inderberg et al eds (2014), climate change adaptation and development: transforming paradigms and practices. Oxford: Routledge

 

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules