‘Commons governance’ has emerged as a new paradigm in both functional and legal approaches to international environmental cooperation. Traditionally, nation-states have been considered the sole actors in governing trans-boundary resources such as the atmosphere, water and the ocean. In contrast, the commons approach highlights the role of collaborative governance by all users of a depletable resource in designing, implementing and enforcing sustainability rules and norms. While nation-states remain key players, a commons approach is poly-centric (international, regional, national, sub-national) and multi-actor (government, business, civil society).

This course provides a foundation in the theory and practice of global commons governance. Part One introduces the conceptual framework and empirical findings of Elinor Ostrom’s work on the design of effective institutions for common pool resources. Working in teams of two, students will produce a case study which deploys the Ostrom framework to evaluate the effectiveness of a current agreement governing a transboundary commons of their choice.

Part II focuses on the structure and dynamics of the governance of the global atmospheric commons. It first examines the norms, principles and key agreements in international environmental law. It then explores the evolution of global climate collaboration from the Montreal Protocol to the UNFCCC to the Paris Agreement. Students will produce 1) a graphic presentation evaluating the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of two nation-state signatories to the Paris Agreement; 2) a case study examining the way a key non-state actor—business/industry, cities/states/provinces, civil society—is implementing the Paris Agreement.

In a rapidly changing world where the environment is being compromised at an alarming rate, we need programs and people to lead in developing actionable solutions, inclusive and effective policies, and broad engagement towards a more sustainable future. We need to inspire and enable people to lead effective change. Who are those leaders? What are the qualities of a leader? What does it mean to lead? How do we build effective collaborations to achieve goals? This course tackles these and other questions as we explore diverse levels of environmental leadership in diverse settings, from the community to the global level. We will use case studies, scenario building, readings, guest speakers and personal leadership and working style strength assessments to build a practical understanding of environmental leadership at the personal, team and project/initiative level. This course will empower participants to think differently about leadership, and will provide them with tools to develop their own leadership strengths.

Geographic Information Systems

This course introduces the theory and application of spatial data acquisition, analysis, and display using a project based approach. Students will practice how to conceive, gather, manage, analyze, and visualize geographic datasets using the global positioning system (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS), and use GIS for spatial analysis and decision making. The course will be conducted using lecture and lab methods; active student participation is required.

Applied Conservation Science & Policy

This course is about saving life on earth. It provides the scientific foundation required to formulate sound environmental policies capable of addressing human population growth, habitat destruction, resource overexploitation, and other anthropogenic factors that continue to undermine the earth’s ecological systems. The course focuses on scientific underpinnings of conserving the world’s remaining biological diversity (aka “biodiversity”). It draws from biology, ecology, and other natural sciences to deliver the broad scientific training that future policymakers need. As a short survey course, the goal is not to transform you into a biologist or an ecologist, but rather to equip you with the basic knowledge you need to understand how the natural world works, speak the language with confidence, and use science to develop sound environmental policy.

This course Exploring Sustainable Agriculture Transitions in Rural Colombia will consist of an 8-day visit to the town of Libano, Colombia, over spring break March 16-24, 2024 with an additional travel day on each end of the trip.

The creation of a sustainable global food system is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. High-input, animal-based, industrial agricultural practices drive land concentration, deplete soils, and generate deforestation, including the loss of soil and forest carbon -In total, the agri-food system accounts for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Promising innovations are emerging, especially around the principles and practices of regenerative agriculture, in both developing and developed countries. The overarching aim of regenerative agriculture is to create farming and grazing systems that are in harmony with nature while generating sustainable livelihoods for farmers. It is a whole-of-ecosystem approach, with soil health at the center. Healthy soils have a high level of biodiversity and capacity to store both water and carbon.

This “exposure tour” in Colombia will provide students an opportunity to explore how an agricultural community in a developing country is grappling with the challenges and opportunities to transition to regenerative agriculture in the context of global and local supply chains, as well as a country engaged in post-conflict reconciliation.

Achieving the UN sustainable Development goals requires massive technological changes in energy, mobility, construction, housing, and agriculture (to name a few). The World Economic Forum estimated that achieving the SDGs is likely to open up 60 market “hot spots” worth $12 trillion in market opportunities[1][1], in building new business models and developing and deploying disruptive technologies[1][2]. Simply put, achieving the SDGs is an exceptionally attractive economic opportunity and a well-validated target market. The race to tap into these opportunities is underway.

Innovation is essential in achieving the SDGs. It is the engine that enables the transition towards a circular economy; it supports the structural changes on the way towards sustainable development. A key driver of economic growth, innovation will fill the technology, design, and business model gaps in the current value chain of multiple industries, to accelerate a transition into a circular system and achieving the SDGs.

Meeting the innovation needs of sustainable development requires a thriving pipeline with hundreds, then thousands of innovators who compete, grow, and outperform each other, gradually increasing in quality and breadth. In fact, “Business as usual will not achieve this market transformation. Nor will disruptive innovation by a few sustainable pioneers be enough to drive the shift: the whole sector has to move.” Support for such innovations requires a portfolio management process to evaluate adequacy, opportunity, risks, and probability of success and to prioritize projects based on clear sustainability impact. It also requires access to capital that is aligned with the innovation stage, and global policy support to secure favorable economic conditions. Investment capital and interest are both available, but the innovation pipeline needs to grow and be supported. Given the slow pace of industry innovation, the engine for change will inevitably come from early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs.

A problem of this magnitude cannot be solved with a single linear policy or technological innovation. It needs a cohesive solutions eco-system supported by appropriate investment, economic policies creating an enabling environment and multi-governmental collaboration. The sustainable development innovation eco-system is a complex dynamic system that depends on the healthy interactions of its multiple components – demand creation, fulfilment, investment and financial support, policy portfolios, and global growth and scale-up of implementations. A business -friendly landscape and fruitful collaboration between the private sector and governments is key.

This workshop examines the structure and dynamics of the innovation eco-system as the necessary structure to support solutions to the SDGs, global challenges often referred to as “wicked” problems. These solutions can range from technology to business models, to policy to financing mechanisms or advocacy.

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[1][1]Business & Sustainable Development Commission, 2017

[1][2]UN Global Compact, 2019

Green Business Feasibility Assessment

This course provides hands-on experience conducting a rigorous feasibility assessment for a new triple-bottom-line business. Applying a well-established methodology, you will research and write a detailed feasibility assessment covering priority topics such as: the venture type, industry context, resource needs, target market(s), potential benefits (including social and environmental benefits), key risks, and financial review. In your written report and oral presentation, you will also make an overall recommendation to implement, postpone, or not implement the new business. Regardless of your proposed business type, location, and next steps, you will gain a practical, career-enhancing skill and with a strong writing sample to back it up.

This hands-on, project-based course will build on the skills learned in the introductory GIS course. Working within their discipline, students will develop real-world case studies to practice GIS modeling, perform spatial data analysis, statistical analysis and temporal data analysis, test hypotheses and recommend policy based on their findings. Students will employ project management, database design and troubleshooting techniques applicable to GIS and other fields.

Spanning over 70% of Earth, the ocean is the central feature and life-support system for our planet. This two-week intensive course on international marine environmental law focuses on helping students learn to use law as a tool to better manage human activities in, on, under or otherwise affecting the ocean. It will explore global and regional agreements relevant to the law of the sea, shipping, fishing, dumping, biodiversity conservation, land-based sources of marine degradation, and problems related to implementation, effectiveness and enforcement. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity are among the international agreements discussed. While the primary focus of the course is on legal issues, there will be extensive coverage of the interface of legal institutions with science and politics. Key cross-cutting issues include coral reef ecosystem management, dynamic ocean management, polar conservation efforts and governance of the ocean beyond national boundaries.

The course will be conducted using lectures, guest speakers, class presentations, intense discussions and in-class debates. Active student participation is both encouraged and required. A final report due two weeks after class ends will enable the student to conduct in-depth research into an area of their choice. Students will be able to meet individually with the instructor during the course to develop their research reports.