K6ET 2105 - Ecological accounting: net-zero cities: the case of carbon and soil

Carbon accounting has been used for nearly two decades. Cities are progressively adopting carbon accounting tools to support climate mitigation policies. Recently, net-zero policies have expanded their focus beyond climate mitigation to include impacts on biodiversity and artificialization, thereby introducing new theoretical, methodological and operational challenges for net-zero accounting tools. This course aims to tackle these challenges within the context of cities and local governments through a cross-case analysis of soil and carbon accounting. It endeavors to:

• Explore the main approaches and methods available and their respective challenges to support the implementation of net-zero strategies at the city scale.
• Reflect on the similarities and differences between carbon and soil ecological accounting cases.

The course is designed as a blend of theoretical and methodological insights on ecological accounting, coupled with practical case studies.

Basic knowledge on ecological issues and cities environmental policies

3-4 hours sessions

• A 120’ lecture given by the professor(s) including space for debate;
• A 90’ practical exercise
• A 30’ slot for group work question and organization

*The final session will consist in presentations and discussions of the group work

• 10%: class participation in group discussions
• 10%: readings presentation
• Group work (groups of about five students):
• 20%: scoping note to be handed after the 3rd session (3-4 pages)
• 40%: final paper to be handed in before the last session (15-20 pages)
• 20%: final presentation

• Students must read the mandatory reading before each class and are strongly encouraged to actively take part in class discussions.
• During one of the sessions, they will have to read in detail one of the articles/documents from the reading list and present the main findings in class to introduce the class debate during the lecture.
• For the final session, they will prepare, present, and discuss each other works in groups.

Estimated personal workload: 25 hours