How can we ensure that the so called Green transition is fair and inclusive? What are the implications of climate change for vulnerable communities and groups? How can we ensurethat human actions toward non-human species and ecosystems are good and moral? In this course, students will explore these critical questions and more, by engaging with the theoretical, philosophical and ethical foundations of climate justice as well as some of themain policy developments in Europe. Students will engage with key literature, analyse policy frameworks, and study cases of climate justice and injustice to understand the socio-economic and ethical dimensions of climate change. Thereby, the course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to critically assess climate policies and advocate for equitable and ethical solutions. Climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a profound social justice challenge. The impacts of climate change are unevenly distributed, often exacerbating existing inequalities and disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. At the same time, policies designed to reduce carbon emissions and bring about more sustainable societies may exaggerate social inequalities. Thus, we must ask ourselves questions about the ethics of the climate crisis; for how can we protect both the environment and society? Are current policies and initiatives moral? In this course, students will become familiar with significant legal cases, such as the Urgenda case in the Netherlands, and investigate contestations and local responses to climate challenges, for example in Taranto, Italy. We will explore key principles such as distributive and procedural justice, and discuss how these can be applied to create equitable and ethical climate policies. We will also discuss the potentials for local and community-based initiatives.3
3 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
How can we ensure that the so called Green transition is fair and inclusive? What are the implications of climate change for vulnerable communities and groups? How can we ensurethat human actions toward non-human species and ecosystems are good and moral? In this course, students will explore these critical questions and more, by engaging with the theoretical, philosophical and ethical foundations of climate justice as well as some of themain policy developments in Europe. Students will engage with key literature, analyse policy frameworks, and study cases of climate justice and injustice to understand the socio-economic and ethical dimensions of climate change. Thereby, the course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to critically assess climate policies and advocate for equitable and ethical solutions. Climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a profound social justice challenge. The impacts of climate change are unevenly distributed, often exacerbating existing inequalities and disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. At the same time, policies designed to reduce carbon emissions and bring about more sustainable societies may exaggerate social inequalities. Thus, we must ask ourselves questions about the ethics of the climate crisis; for how can we protect both the environment and society? Are current policies and initiatives moral? In this course, students will become familiar with significant legal cases, such as the Urgenda case in the Netherlands, and investigate contestations and local responses to climate challenges, for example in Taranto, Italy. We will explore key principles such as distributive and procedural justice, and discuss how these can be applied to create equitable and ethical climate policies. We will also discuss the potentials for local and community-based initiatives.3