Description:
Drawing on examples from the global north and global south, this course adopts a policy perspective to addressing the challenges of achieving a just green transition and pursuing a more sustainable society. Following the policy cycle (problem identification, agenda setting, policy formulation, decision-making, policy implementation, and policy evaluation), the course aims to provide a broader understanding of the key dimensions concerning the green transition. The course views the green transition as a broader phenomenon going beyond mere technological solutions: it is a social, cultural, political, and administrative-organizational project. Therefore, it is essential to inquire into the public deliberation and debates about desired futures, political decision making as well as political contestation as highlighted by NIMBYism (not-in-my-backyard-ism) which has surged due to the need for rapid climate action and fundamental change of energy systems. To enact and implement any policies related to green transition then the political system needs legitimacy, in the form of support for the public and societal stakeholders. This is especially the case in democracies, also true in less democratic or outright undemocratic societies. It thus requires the public to be convinced that environmental issues and climate change are real and man-made, otherwise it will never be identified as a political problem. Furthermore, it requires that the issue it on the public’s agenda for a sustained period. If this is not the case, then political system it unlikely to pursue the costly policies related to climate change. The green transition also requires that there are supportive governance structures in place for realizing the abstract goals of combatting climate change as well as practical policies related to this. Local governments, for example, are generally viewed as important actors in the realisation of high-level policy objectives in the green transition and the global visions for the creation of a climate neutral society by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Congruently, EU’s policies under the Green Deal envisions key roles for national and local governments in the green transition by, for example, planning for and developing green infrastructures in built-up environments, promoting green transport (electrical vehicles), or by reducing energy consumption. Therefore, it is also important to consider how local governments may play a part in the green transition by either playing an active and innovative role or by playing a more reactive instrumental role. Unions, too, are important actors. In the growing renewables industry, they acquire new and more ambiguous roles. While they remain to be employers’ antagonists regarding traditional employment relations, decarbonization is essentially a mission they share with employers in the interest of humanity.
Drawing on examples from the global north and global south, this course adopts a policy perspective to addressing the challenges of achieving a just green transition and pursuing a more sustainable society. Following the policy cycle (problem identification, agenda setting, policy formulation, decision-making, policy implementation, and policy evaluation), the course aims to provide a broader understanding of the key dimensions concerning the green transition. The course views the green transition as a broader phenomenon going beyond mere technological solutions: it is a social, cultural, political, and administrative-organizational project. Therefore, it is essential to inquire into the public deliberation and debates about desired futures, political decision making as well as political contestation as highlighted by NIMBYism (not-in-my-backyard-ism) which has surged due to the need for rapid climate action and fundamental change of energy systems. To enact and implement any policies related to green transition then the political system needs legitimacy, in the form of support for the public and societal stakeholders. This is especially the case in democracies, also true in less democratic or outright undemocratic societies. It thus requires the public to be convinced that environmental issues and climate change are real and man-made, otherwise it will never be identified as a political problem. Furthermore, it requires that the issue it on the public’s agenda for a sustained period. If this is not the case, then political system it unlikely to pursue the costly policies related to climate change. The green transition also requires that there are supportive governance structures in place for realizing the abstract goals of combatting climate change as well as practical policies related to this. Local governments, for example, are generally viewed as important actors in the realisation of high-level policy objectives in the green transition and the global visions for the creation of a climate neutral society by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Congruently, EU’s policies under the Green Deal envisions key roles for national and local governments in the green transition by, for example, planning for and developing green infrastructures in built-up environments, promoting green transport (electrical vehicles), or by reducing energy consumption. Therefore, it is also important to consider how local governments may play a part in the green transition by either playing an active and innovative role or by playing a more reactive instrumental role. Unions, too, are important actors. In the growing renewables industry, they acquire new and more ambiguous roles. While they remain to be employers’ antagonists regarding traditional employment relations, decarbonization is essentially a mission they share with employers in the interest of humanity.
This course will focus on:
- Problem identification: e.g. popular attitudes and perception of environmental and climate issues, environment citizenship, the role of stakeholders and interest groups (unions, the renewables industry, green think tanks etc.)
- Policy formation: e.g. green growth/degrowth, climate taxes, active labour market policies enabling workers’ transition from closing black industries to the growing renewables sector.
- Agenda setting: e.g. the environmental and climate agenda
- Policy formulation: e.g. policy visions, the role of local governments and the Green Deal, conceptualising the green transition and energy futures
- Decision-making: e.g. green infrastructure and public deliberation
- Policy implementation and evaluation: e.g. Supportive governance structures and capacity, environmental Justice and contestation
Learning Objectives (knowledge and abilities)
- Gain an overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge on policies and governance structures supporting green transition
- Ability to formulate arguments and hypothesis about the green transition
- Understand the implications, challenges and opportunities related to the Green Transition
- Possess knowledge of key theoretical and conceptual approaches related to the subject area in the context of social science and history
- Be able to critically assess relevant theories and make informed choices regarding theory selection in relation to empirical analyses
- Have the ability to apply relevant theories and tools of the field to concrete empirical cases and issues
- Lecturers:
Malayna Raftopoulos; Mads Peter Klindt; Christian Lindholst; Kristian Kongshøj; Troels Fage Hedegaard, Theresa Scavenius; Anita Nissen; Aalborg University - ECTS:
4 - Time:
April 29th to May 2nd - Place:
Aalborg University - Zip code:
9220 - City:
Aalborg - Number of seats:
15. We will contact you after registration deadline for letting you know whether your admission has been accepted in the course or you are on the waiting list. PhD fellows enrolled at AAU have first priority. - Deadlines:
Registration deadline: 14th March 2024
Post paper deadline: 17th May 2024 - Participation fee:
The course is free of charge - Important information concerning PhD courses:
We have over some time experienced problems with no-show for our courses. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 2,000 DKK for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up.
If you have questions you are welcome to contact PhD programme secretary Marianne Høgsbro inst.dps.phd@dps.aau.dk
- Teacher: Troels Fage Hedegaard
- Teacher: Mads Peter Klindt
- Teacher: Kristian Kongshøj
- Teacher: Anita Nissen
- Teacher: Malayna Raftopoulos