Courses

Here is a list of the courses offered by the Sustainability Transition Policy team. For questions about a specific course, please contact the responsible course leader. As we are still building up the course portfolio, this page will be updated and expanded as we go.

Winter semester 2024/2025

Course

Description

Time & Place

Lecturer

Climate Policy

(Master)

Climate change is one of the big challenges of our time, touching all aspects of society. The implication of the Paris Agreement and its 1.5 and 2 degrees targets is the complete elimination of CO2 from the energy system within the next 25 years.
From a technical perspective, there are many solutions, typically relying on a bouquet of options, from wind power to nuclear power, from solar heat to passive housing. The technical side of decarbonisation is difficult, but possible.
The real nut to crack is about the strategies and governance for how to achieve such a complete transformation: the policy side of climate and energy. What is to be done? For this, one needs to turn to various ideas about what a government can and should do, whether and how it should influence and steer society. On the one hand are ideas suggesting that government should play a very limited role relative to private actors and should step in only to correct “market failures”, with “market-based” interventions designed specifically around that failure. On the other hand are ideas suggesting that government must guide the transition more directly, including through public investments or radical reforms, designed to support the solutions determined to be the ones we want. And on the third hand, if such a hand exists, are ideas posing that the problem is our own consumption patterns and that these, and economic growth in general, are entirely incompatible with climate protection: only consuming radically less will help. Such fundamental issues come to the fore in climate and energy policy discussions and debates. This course is about all that.Register here: https://www.studon.fau.de/crs5959976_join.html

Mondays from 13:00-14:45

Starting 21 October

In Lange Gasse, LG 5.155

Prof. Dr. Johan Lilliestam

Energy Policy Instruments

(Master)

With the adoption of the Paris Agreement, almost all countries have committed themselves to achieving a carbon-neutral global economy by mid-century. Yet, emissions keep increasing, driven by economic growth and industrial development in emerging countries, causing a hunger for energy that is often satisfied with fossil fuels.

In the industrialised world, however, emissions decrease. In Europe, emissions have decreased by some 30% compared to 1990, and in some countries much more than that. Evidently, it is possible to bend the emissions curve! Across Europe, emissions and energy demand are decreasing, and European (together with Chinese and US) policies have made renewables so cheap that they are starting to outcompete fossil fuels on economic grounds. Today, other than 10 years ago, full energy system decarbonisation seems realistic.

In this course, we will explore the instrumentation of climate policy in the energy sector, especially on the European and national levels: what worked, and why? We explore how these policies interact with companies and citizens, and pay attention to positive and negative side effects, including effects on industry and economic prosperity. This is a very controversial field, both in Brussels (e.g. Green Deal vs. emissions trading!), and in national capitals (electric car mandates vs “technology-neutrality”, or the debacle of the German heating law!). The outcome of these debates will not only determine Europe’s climate footprint, but also its industrial future. In this course, we take a holistic view, dive deep into the biggest transformation since many decades, and develop solutions to it all.

Every second Tuesday 13:00-17:00

Starting 22 October

In Lange Gasse, LG 3.154

Prof. Dr. Johan Lilliestam

Project course: Building Sustainable Industry in Europe

(Master)

How can European businesses develop globally competitive industries for sustainable technologies? While European firms have a head start in the “green race” for some technologies, some companies and policymakers are concerned about growing competition from China and from the US for electric vehicles, solar panels, batteries and green hydrogen. Increasingly, governments are supporting the development of the electric vehicle industry in Europe. At the same time, there is a need to quickly decarbonize our energy systems, especially for transportation which remains heavily fossil-fuel based. Therefore, policies to encourage consumers to buy and use electric vehicles are also prevalent. In some cases, these different goals could come into conflict – for example, if it is cheaper to decarbonize European transport by purchasing cheaper Chinese electric vehicles. This course explores how European governments are supporting the transition to electric vehicles and industry development. The final output of the course is a research project, which will analyze whether this policy support is helping to both build local business and/or encourage decarbonization of the transportation sector. Students do not need to have a background in data analysis or policy analysis to take this course. The beginning of the course will provide a training in this method, which will then be implemented with hands-on experience in the research project.

Block seminar on

5 Fridays in FG 2.024:

– 18 October (9:00-16:30)

– 8 November (9:00-12:00)

– 22 November (9:00-16:30)

– 13 December (9:00-13:00)

– 31 January (9:00-13:00; in LG 0.225)

Dr. Silvia Weko

Dr. Aksornchan Chaianong

Ioannis Milioritsas

Energy Transition Analysis: Bridging Techno-economic, Business, and Policy Perspectives

(Master)

As the energy transition impacts multiple domains of economic and social activities, a multifaceted analysis incorporating approaches for different scopes is essential. Through lectures and exercises, students will learn how to conduct the economic feasibility, examine business models and market dynamics, and analyze policy impacts on investment attractiveness of clean energy projects, such as (but not limited to) renewable energy, energy storage, and hydrogen. The course will also emphasize the application of analytical tools to real-world problems, enabling students to combine these tools and conduct energy transition assessments. By the end of the course, students will develop a deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of the energy transition; conduct an energy transition analysis from techno-economic, business/market, and policy perspectives; apply/combine concepts and tools to solve real-world clean energy adoption problems in different contexts; and develop policy recommendations, addressing challenges and opportunities in the energy transition.

Wednesdays from 09:45-13:00

Starting 16 October

In Findelgasse FG 3.023

Dr. Aksornchan Chaianong

Ioannis Milioritsas

Thesis Seminar Sustainable Transition Policy

(Master and Bachelor)

This seminar is mandatory for anyone writing a thesis at the Sustainability Transition Policy chair (any advisor). We will deal with questions of how to write a thesis, how to do the research, how you can know when a result is good and/or the thesis is done, and many other things needed for successfully writing a thesis. We will also practice presenting and pitching our work in front of a group, both to learn how to do this well, and as a step to make sense of our work: what have we found out, and why is that interesting?

Fridays in Zoom

Starting 18 October 9:00-14:00

Tentative dates for remaining meetings:

15 November 9:00-10:30

13 December 9:00-13:00

24 January 9:00-10:30 (for MA students; voluntary for BA)

Prof. Dr. Johan Lilliestam

Energy Security

(Bachelor)

Energy is central to almost any area of human activity and necessary for economic activity. The energy crisis of 2022, triggered by the war in Ukraine, impacted the global and national economy, and especially energy-intensive businesses, with energy supply uncertainty and high prices. Without energy, the industrialised world would be dramatically altered. Moreover, energy is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in climate change. Key questions addressed include: How can we ensure that all people and businesses have reliable and affordable access to sufficient energy for their needs? How can this be achieved on a sustainable basis? In what ways can energy be used as a tool for diplomatic coercion? And what are the geopolitical consequences of energy supply and the shift to low-carbon energy sources? The goal of this course is to enable students to discuss and critique strategies to enhance energy security, for both countries and individual companies, based on concepts and approaches in the study of energy security (incl. International Political Economy and Geopolitics studies) during lectures. These concepts from the lectures are practically applied during the exercise portion of this course, diving into the characteristics of different energy sources, energy producer and consumers, energy markets, energy conflicts and trends in energy. We will use case studies/scenarios to conduct analyses on energy and sustainability actions and their impact national/European energy security. Combined the lectures and exercises will equip students with a framework for understanding and analysing the stakes and trade-offs involved in addressing the practical energy challenge of ensuring secure, sustainable and affordable access to energy supplies needed for the oral exam. In addition, this dual approach will assist in navigating the international business environment when dealing with energy and sustainability questions.

Thursdays from 13:15-16:45

Starting 24 October

In Findelgasse FG 1.036

Dr. Moniek de Jong

Prof. Dr. Johan Lilliestam

Summer semester 2024

Course	Description	Time & Place	Lecturer
International Politics (BA IBS/IES, WiWi)	This course provides students with important knowledge of our international system, encompassing international organizations, international rules and state and non-state actors. We will focus on two of the major challenges of our time, which are the need to govern our climate crisis more effectively and to protect human rights globally. Combatting climate change and protecting human rights are key concerns in international politics, as established by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Non-state actors such as companies and civil society organizations have increasingly become influential actors in international politics, both as rule-setters and rule-takers. In our course, we will first critically reflect upon key theories and concepts from the fields of international relations and global sustainability politics. Thereafter, we will have one block focusing on global climate governance and energy transition, followed by one block on human rights, with a particular emphasis on business and human rights. While these topics are often discussed separately, we throughout the course identify links – be they synergies or conflicts – between them, and seek to identify and solve trade-offs between them, reflecting on to what extent policy integration of climate and human rights governance is possible and desirable. Register here: https://www.studon.fau.de/studon/goto.php?target=crs_5641514_join.html	Wednesdays from 08:00- 09:30 Starting 17.04.2024 In Lange Gasse, room LG H6	Prof. Dr. Almut Schilling-Vacaflor and Prof. Dr. Johan Lilliestam
International Politics II (BA SozÖk)	This course provides students with important knowledge of our international system, encompassing international organizations, international rules and state and non-state actors. We will focus on two of the major challenges of our time, which are the need to govern our climate crisis more effectively and to protect human rights globally. Combatting climate change and protecting human rights are key concerns in international politics, as established by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Non-state actors such as companies and civil society organizations have increasingly become influential actors in international politics, both as rule-setters and rule-takers. In our course, we will first critically reflect upon key theories and concepts from the fields of international relations and global sustainability politics. Thereafter, we will have one block focusing on global climate governance and energy transition, followed by one block on human rights, with a particular emphasis on business and human rights. While these topics are often discussed separately, we throughout the course identify links – be they synergies or conflicts – between them, and seek to identify and solve trade-offs between them, reflecting on to what extent policy integration of climate and human rights governance is possible and desirable. Register here: https://www.studon.fau.de/crs5641515_join.html	Mondays from 15:00-16:30 Starting 15.04.2024 In Findelgasse, room FG 0.015	Prof. Dr. Johan Lilliestam and Prof. Dr. Almut Schilling-Vacaflor
Technology Assessment	In this course, we will explore, discuss, and apply interdisciplinary quantitative and qualitative concepts and tools for technology assessment. Technology assessment is an essential support tool to inform decision-making in companies and public administration and enables well-informed decisions regarding technology adoption, implementation, or regulation. Below are the interdisciplinary methods to be covered in this course. In addition, the course will focus on how each method can inform/combine and how normativity affects each method. This course will also focus on method comparisons (i.e., when and in which context method A outperforms method B), so the strengths and limitations of each method will be discussed in the classes. The course will strongly focus on application (hence the combination of lecture and exercise). Empirically, the course will focus on, but not be limited to, technologies for the transition to clean energy, such as renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen. This will visualize how to apply and combine tools necessary for technology assessment. and weaknesses of assessment methods. The results from each example will be compared so that risks and opportunities for technologies can be analysed. Register here: https://www.studon.fau.de/crs5671525_join.html	Wednesdays from 09:45 to 13:00 Starting 17.04.2024 In Lange Gasse, room LG 5.153	Dr. Aksornchan Chaianong, and Ioannis Milioritsas
Trade and Sustainability	In this course, we will look at how global trade impacts the environment and economic development. Using case studies of different products like soy, solar panels, and steel, we will look at trade between Europe and Brazil, China, the US and more. The course will explore how different actors including country governments and businesses react to sustainability and development challenges, and supply chain regulation. By the end of the course, students will be able to compare how these cases compare with theories about international trade. They will understand under which contexts globalization has positive or negative environmental impacts, and consider supply chain management in terms of environmental and reputational risks. They will also better understand regulations like Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the German Supply Chain Regulation, and how these affect European businesses’ position in global markets. Register here: https://www.studon.fau.de/crs5676324_join.html	Tuesdays from 09:00-12:30 Starting 16.04.2024 In Findelgasse, room FG 1.036	Dr. des Silvia Weko and Franziska Bold
Thesis Seminar Sustainable Transition Policy	This seminar is mandatory for anyone writing a thesis at the Sustainability Transition Policy chair (any advisor). We will deal with questions of how to write a thesis, how to do the research, how you can know when a result is good and/or the thesis is done, and many other things needed for successfully writing a thesis. We will also practice presenting and pitching our work in front of a group, both to learn how to do this well, and as a step to make sense of our work: what have we found out, and why is that interesting? Register here: https://www.studon.fau.de/crs5631978_join.html	All meetings in Zoom! 19.04 from 09:00-14:30; 17.05 from 09:00-10:30; 21.06 from 09:00-14:00; 12.07 from 09:00-10:30	Prof. Dr. Johan Lilliestam