Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/climate-change-mitigation
The challenge of lifting nations out of poverty while simultaneously curbing greenhouse gas emissions is a monumental task. Coursera’s “Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries” course dives headfirst into this complex issue, offering a compelling and insightful exploration of the inherent difficulties faced by developing nations aiming for economic growth in a climate-conscious manner.
The course bravely confronts the reality that climate change and development are not just complex, but ‘wicked’ problems – those resistant to easy solutions. When tackled together, they become a ‘super-wicked’ problem. The curriculum doesn’t shy away from this daunting label but instead presents a pragmatic approach rooted in the co-production of knowledge. This involves a facilitated process where academic researchers collaborate with influential societal actors to generate actionable insights.
We’re introduced to the MAPS (Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios) community, drawing on experiences from countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and South Africa. This practical grounding makes the theoretical concepts more tangible. The course emphasizes that change is spurred through this co-production, encouraging action from key stakeholders. It delves into the crucial questions of how to initiate such interventions, what they might look like, and the best ways to design these collaborative processes, highlighting the role of Scenario Building Teams.
The syllabus then moves into the practicalities of mitigation action research and modeling. It explores the tools available for generating knowledge, not just on emissions and costs, but also on the broader developmental impacts of transitioning to a low-carbon economy. While emissions and costs are relatively quantifiable, the course acknowledges the challenge of measuring developmental impacts and offers ways to address this.
A significant portion of the course is dedicated to understanding and bridging the ‘mitigation gap’ – the disparity between desired emission reduction targets (like staying below a 2-degree Celsius temperature rise) and current emission trends. The course dissects the reasons behind this gap, including technical limitations, vested interests, political hurdles, and even inherent human behavior.
Ultimately, “Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries” doesn’t just present problems; it seeks solutions. It encourages a critical look at existing toolkits and thinking patterns, advocating for a deeper integration of economic and development pathways. The course inspires innovation by linking economic and mitigation models, fostering an understanding of the interconnectedness of policies, and promoting out-of-the-box thinking for future climate and development solutions.
The final module elegantly ties everything together, illustrating how the scenario-building process translates into tangible impacts. It focuses on building crucial bridges: one between knowledge and domestic policy, and another between domestic policy and international climate contributions.
For anyone seeking to understand the intricate dance between development, poverty reduction, and climate action in the Global South, this course is an invaluable resource. It provides a structured framework for approaching these ‘super-wicked’ problems and offers a hopeful, collaborative path forward.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/climate-change-mitigation