Engaging with the politics of climate change

October 4-8, 2007
Tim O’Riordan, Tom Burke, Jules Peck

This course is one of a series of 4-day courses, facilitated by CarbonSense, addresses different aspects of climate change. Running over a weekend, they are designed to be as accessible as possible to those who cannot spare many days away from their workplace. These courses will give participants interested in showing leadership on climate change the opportunity to take a critical and in-depth look at some of the most important areas of debate and action in this area. Each 4-day course is booked separately.

This course will give participants an overview of the current platform for action on climate change and the opportunity to explore key questions and the direction of the climate change debate. They will leave further empowered and inspired to confidently engage with political and practical initiatives around climate change in their work.

Course Overview

With the subject constantly in the media and discussed in the corridors of power, future generations may say that this is the year when the world finally woke up to climate change.

How can a serious reduction in carbon emissions be made politically attractive enough to survive the democratic process? What are the relative benefits of focusing on UK, EU or global legislation? What are the implications of personal carbon trading schemes? This course will enable participants to understand the different options available and the most effective way to ensure talk turns into a real reduction in carbon emissions.

This course is intended for all those who are seeking to save our climate – whether professional activists, lobbyists, community campaigners, educators, writers, politicians, researchers or concerned individuals.

Teachers

Tim O'Riordan is Emeritus Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK and a member of the UK Sustainable Development Commission.

Tom Burke is currently an Environmental Policy Adviser to Rio Tinto plc, a visiting professor at Imperial and University Colleges, London and a member of the London Sustainable Development Commission.

Jules Peck is an expert in the field of sustainability and government affairs. He has 20 years of experience as an adviser in the corporate world and for government institutions. Most recently he has been the Director of the Quality of Life Group, advising the UK Conservative Party on environmental policy issues.

Timetable

Thursday, October 4 (5pm onwards)
Arrival and introductory meeting.

Friday, October 5
Tim O’Riordan: Overview of the science and politics of climate change, focusing on the state of international negotiations and current proposals for reducing carbon emissions in the UK.

Saturday, October 6
Tom Burke: Tom will focus on three issues:

Sunday, October 7
Jules Peck: How can a serious reduction in carbon emissions be made politically attractive enough to survive the democratic process? What are the relative benefits of focusing on UK, EU or global legislation?

Monday, October 8
CarbonSense facilitators: Action plans – taking what’s been learned into the workplace. The object of these courses is that participants leave with a deeper understanding and renewed insights into their own role in taking the understanding of climate change into the core of their organisations.

Departure after lunch.

Course Fees

For businesses: £900
For individuals, NGOs & Educators: £800
These include accommodation, food, field trips and all teaching sessions.

How to make an application – click here

For further information about Schumacher College please see About the College

New feature – reserve your place now

To provisionally reserve a place for 5 days, email us your contact details and the name of the course admin@schumachercollege.org.uk

We will hold the place for five working days for reservations – three weeks before a course or earlier. After five days we will automatically offer your place to someone else if we have not received your application.

Schumacher College is part of the Dartington Hall Trust, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and as a charity (company no. 1485560, charity no. 279756). Registered office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL, UK.