Course Catalogue

Prerequisites
No formal prerequisites, but an interest in contemporary discussions about polarization, climate change and/or renewable energy is welcome.

Learning objectives
The course will give participants a platform for reflection on climate change, including past attempts by policymakers at international, national and sub-national levels to limit emissions, as well as responses by business and civil society. Course participants will investigate determinants of implementing successful climate solutions, and explore whether increasing polarization in society is part of the problem and/or part of the solution.

Content
The world is more polarized than ever before in recent history. 2025 has been yet another year with extreme weather events and is set to be the second consecutive year where global temperatures have increased by more then 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. Many people appreciate the need to accelerate climate change mitigation, but at the same time, important public figures on both sides of the Atlantic deny the need for climate action. Global attempts to deliver on a timely transition to a low-carbon economy have yet to live up to the urgency of the climate crisis. At the national level, countries like Norway and China are witnessing a fast diffusion of electric vehicles, while governments and industry associations elsewhere show less enthusiasm. Some investors are divesting from coal, others are reluctant to change. Meanwhile, central banks warn that growing carbon risk in financial markets could lead to stranded assets (aka the carbon bubble). While a majority of young citizens see wind turbines as symbols of modern technology, others feel threatened by them. The rise of social media, once hailed as an enabler of democratization, appears to make consensus building in society and politics even more difficult. How can governments and businesses make progress towards decarbonization of our energy and transport systems in this environment? How and when does polarization translate into policy risk, and how can this be managed? What are the positive drivers of change, and how can they be leveraged for innovation.

General information
Hybrid participation can be made possible for parts of this course. Please contact the instructor for questions regarding this course, Prof. Dr. Rolf Wüstenhagen [email protected]
Please see this website for general information on how to participate in the course and write to [email protected] and request the form that is needed to register for an individual course participation at the doctoral level.