OADD 2345 - The Role of International Organizations in Clean Energy Transitions and Environmental Protection.

The premise of this course is that the role of International Organizations (IOs) in global policymaking is unique. Unlike states and other actors, IOs play many different parts at once: facilitator, financier, thought-leader, monitor, mediator, and lawmaker. Modelled on the predominant teaching style in American law schools, this course uses a case study approach to examine how IOs influence international and domestic policymaking on environment protection and energy transitions, primarily through a legal lens. This includes examining how the functions and modalities of IOs are shaped by their specific institutional and legal setting. Specific topics include climate change (UNSC, UNFCCC), energy (G7/G20), pollution reduction (Global Plastics Treaty), species protection (IUCN), and international trade (WTO).

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• understand the nature and structure of international organizations (IOs) and what distinguishes them from other types of international actors,
• identify and discuss the different role that IOs play in international and domestic policy making,
• evaluate how individual IOs have shaped the direction of policy on specific energy and environment topics,
• explain how IOs influence policy discussions using legal and institutional analysis tools,
• analyze primary source material from international organizations, including treaties, committee reports, and other documents.

Professional Skills

Problem solving; critical thinking; persuasive writing and communication; research and analysis.

Written feedback will be provided on reaction papers and negotiation exercise preparatory material. Oral feedback will be provided as part of the group exercise.

• In-class participation (10%) - assessed throughout semester
• Short reaction papers based on readings (20%) – distributed throughout
• Group negotiation exercise (30%) – to take place during weeks 6-8
• Final individual paper (40%) – due at end of course

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester
• Other: One-time “field trip” visit to IEA campus, 3 hours