ENVP40040

The focus of this module is to develop students’ professional skills for environmental policy-making through participating in a ‘live’ policy formulation exercise. The module will explore the key stages in the preparation of a strategy and a suite of policy options to address a key environmental challenge. For each academic year, the environmental challenge addressed in the project will change - indicative examples include development of:

- a green infrastructure and ecosystem services strategy for the Dublin region;
- a national climate change adaptation strategy;
- a national strategy to implement a fair carbon tax system;
- a national environmental engagement strategy;
- a strategy to promote uptake of electric vehicles;
- a strategy to advance the 'bioeconomy'

To respond to these types of environmental policy challenges, the class will take on the role of policy consultants who have been commissioned to formulate a strategy and policy options, and advise on policy implementation. To undertake this role, students will be guided through the key stages of the policy-making process, inter alia: 1. Policy Inception and Scoping; 2. Gathering (fieldwork) and analysing the evidence; 3. Strategy appraisal and selection of policy options; 4. Provision of policy advise.

You are required to work, both individually and in groups, outside of the tutor-led sessions, reflecting the student workload of a 10-credit module.