Global Environmental Politics

This subject examines the relationships between global political forces and environmental change, striving for critical thought that integrates rigorous analysis and ethical reflection about the politics of global sustainability and justice. The focus is on how power struggles, institutions, and discourses shape the global environment, drawing on various approaches and concepts from international relations. We explore how global political forces contribute to environmental crises from climate change to biodiversity loss to the proliferation of plastics, but we will also reflect on how these forces might contribute to environmental solutions. How and to what extent is global environmental politics making a difference for advancing sustainability and justice? How is it changing over time? What does it mean for the future? To answer these questions, this subject will explore topics such as the potential and limits of international agreements, the power of global environmental norms, the growing environmental justice movement, and more.