Economics Of Climate Change Training Course: Understanding The Costs And Solutions

Introduction:

Climate change presents a profound challenge to the global economy and society. This Economics of Climate Change training course equips you with the economic frameworks and tools to understand the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to this critical issue. You'll explore the economic impacts of climate change, learn how to assess the costs and benefits of mitigation and adaptation strategies, and analyze the role of policy in addressing climate change. This course empowers you to contribute to informed decision-making and policy formulation in the face of this global challenge.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for professionals and individuals interested in the economic aspects of climate change. The target audience includes:

• Economists working in academia, government, and the private sector
• Policy analysts and researchers
• Environmental scientists and professionals
• Business leaders and sustainability managers
• NGO staff working on climate change issues
• Anyone seeking to understand the economic dimensions of climate change

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this Economics of Climate Change training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the economic causes and consequences of climate change.
• Analyze the costs and benefits of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
• Evaluate different policy instruments for addressing climate change, including carbon pricing, regulations, and incentives.
• Assess the economic impacts of climate change on different sectors and regions.
• Apply economic models and tools to analyze climate change issues.
• Understand the role of international cooperation in addressing climate change.
• Critically evaluate climate change policies and proposals.
• Communicate effectively about the economics of climate change.
• Contribute to informed decision-making on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Understand the economic dimensions of sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Duration

10 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Climate Change and its Economic Significance

• The science of climate change: Causes, impacts, and projections.
• The economic dimensions of climate change: Why economics matters.
• Key concepts: Externalities, public goods, discounting, and uncertainty.
• Course overview: Structure, learning objectives, and assessment methods.

Module 2: The Economics of Climate Change Impacts

• Impacts on various sectors: Agriculture, water resources, coastal zones, human health, and ecosystems.
• Regional variations in impacts: Vulnerability and resilience.
• Economic damages: Measuring the costs of climate change impacts.
• Non-market valuation: Valuing environmental goods and services.

Module 3: Cost-Benefit Analysis of Climate Change Policies

• Cost-benefit analysis framework: Discounting, social cost of carbon, and uncertainty.
• Estimating the costs of mitigation: Technological options and their costs.
• Estimating the benefits of mitigation: Reduced climate change impacts.
• Critiques and limitations of cost-benefit analysis.

Module 4: Carbon Pricing I: Carbon Taxes

• Carbon taxes: How they work and their economic effects.
• Setting the optimal carbon tax: Balancing efficiency and equity.
• Revenue recycling: Using carbon tax revenue effectively.
• Challenges and implementation issues.

Module 5: Carbon Pricing II: Cap-and-Trade

• Cap-and-trade systems: Setting a cap on emissions and trading allowances.
• Allocation of allowances: Free allocation vs. auctioning.
• Market design: Ensuring efficient trading and price discovery.
• Comparing carbon taxes and cap-and-trade.

Module 6: Regulation and Other Policy Instruments

• Command-and-control regulations: Standards and mandates.
• Incentives and subsidies: Promoting clean technologies.
• Information and labeling programs: Encouraging behavioral change.
• Policy mixes: Combining different instruments for effective climate policy.

Module 7: The Economics of Renewable Energy

• Renewable energy technologies: Solar, wind, hydro, and other sources.
• Cost competitiveness of renewables: Levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
• Policy support for renewable energy: Feed-in tariffs, renewable portfolio standards.
• Integration of renewables into electricity grids.

Module 8: Climate Change Adaptation

• The need for adaptation: Responding to unavoidable climate change impacts.
• Adaptation strategies: Infrastructure improvements, ecosystem-based adaptation, and community resilience.
• Economics of adaptation: Cost-effectiveness analysis and prioritization.
• Mainstreaming adaptation into development planning.

Module 9: International Climate Agreements

• The history of international climate negotiations: UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement.
• Nationally determined contributions (NDCs): Countries' pledges to reduce emissions.
• Challenges of international cooperation: Free-riding and distributional issues.
• The role of climate finance: Supporting developing countries' mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Module 10: Climate Finance and Investment

• Mobilizing climate finance: Public and private investment.
• Green bonds and other financial instruments.
• Risk assessment and management for climate-related investments.
• The role of development banks and international financial institutions.

Module 11: Just Transition and Equity

• The social and distributional impacts of climate policies.
• Just transition: Supporting workers and communities affected by the shift to a low-carbon economy.
• Equity considerations: Addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
• International equity: Sharing the burden of climate action.

Module 12: The Future of Climate Change Economics

• Technological change and innovation: The role of clean technologies.
• Behavioral economics and climate change: Influencing individual choices.
• The role of the private sector: Business and climate change.
• Emerging trends in climate change economics research.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.