ENV 829a () / 2024-2025

Pathways to a Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions Future (First Class meets August 27)

Credits: 3 Fall 2024: Tu, 4:00-6:50, Kroon 321

This course follows the Yale Law school calendar, First class meets Tuesday, August 27, Yale Law School, Room TBD

Students must apply to this course by sending Professor Esty a copy of their resume or CV and a short statement (no more than ½ page) that explains their background in the topics that will be addressed and their interest in the course

This advanced climate change seminar will explore pathways to a low-carbon economy with emphasis on the policy frameworks required to establish a just transition to a clean energy future as well as the business and industry transformations that will be needed. Each session introduce students to critical topics including: theories of change, the climate change policy framework (at the global, national, state/provincial, and local levels), technology challenges and opportunities, incentives to spur innovation, finance strategies for both developed and developing nations, the role of private capital and sustainability-minded investors, climate justice and equity considerations, and potential points of policy leverage to drive transformative change. Students will be asked to think critically about the obstacles to deep decarbonization and the trade-offs across social objectives that might complicate the mobilization of society in response to the climate change threat. The course will be highly interactive with each student expected to participate in the class dialogue each week.