Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Climate change is a unique environmental issue in that its impacts manifest on a global scale which requires a globally integrated set of responses. The unit therefore commences with an overview of environmental policy and planning theory, illustrated with examples from Australia and overseas, to identify common processes, policies and evaluation mechanisms. The unit then focuses on mitigation and adaptation which are the dual approaches being taken to address climate change and its impacts. Mitigation policies are examined through sessions focusing on the experience of the Kyoto Protocol, carbon trading, carbon capture and storage (CCS), land use and land use change and forestry (LULUCF) and reducing emissions through deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). Adaptation is addressed through discussions of policies relating to sea level rise, biodiversity, water resources, risk management and financial compensation. The unit concludes with a review of recent international and domestic policy developments and likely future trends in climate change policy and planning.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face Not available in 2025 Online Online timetabled - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate an advanced understanding of the complexity of climate change and its impacts from a policy and planning perspective; (2) critically analyse approaches taken by individual governments and intergovernmental institutions in the field of climate change; (3) assess the diverse drivers of climate change policy at the national level; and (4) demonstrating an understanding of the design, potential and limitations of policies in the spheres of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) essay; (2) critical review of academic paper; and (3) advocacy paper. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Linda Robson
- Contact hours
- One day a week over six weeks.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.