This module provides a broad but applied introduction to key concepts and topics in environmental policy and planning. Students are introduced to the following key debates: (i) sustainable development, environmental limits and ‘happy degrowth’; (ii) growth of environmentalism and the greening of party politics (iii) greening of public and private sector organisations; (iv) climate change science and spatial planning, and (v) the politics and policy of climate change. Using these concepts, the module examines the scope for integrating environmental concerns into decision making, focusing particularly at the UK local government level. It also explores the merits of local environmental strategies, development planning, environmental indicators and environmental assessment ‘tools’ for promoting sustainable development.

1. Analyse key environmental policy concepts through the examination of contemporary environmental problems, their distinctive modern qualities and the intellectual framework and political ideas that have shaped environmental debates.

2. Assess the difficulties of greening contemporary political and economic institutions through the close examination of environmental NGO’s, Green parties and public and private sector organisations.

3. Assess the merits of different environmental policy tools and the political context of instrument choice, and explain how these tools can be applied to implement environmental policy at a national and local level.

4. Debate the potential for spatial planning to exert a positive influence on environmental change (own its own and in conjunction with other policy tools) through the close examination of local government.

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and in-class discussion groups. The majority of lectures will be delivered by teaching staff, and there will be contributions by two guest speakers. Lectures will be accompanied by Powerpoint slides which summarise key issues. These slides will form the basis of class handouts, along with suggested reading, and will be made available via Learning Central. In some lectures, small-scale group work exercises will be conducted, and students will report back to the rest of the class.

Academic/subject-specific skills:

• develop an understanding of key environmental policy concepts and debates;
• assess the merits of different mechanisms available to implement environmental policies (regulation, market mechanisms, voluntary agreements and information); understand the political context of instrument choice;
• debate the potential for spatial planning to exert a positive influence on environmental change, on its own and in conjunction with other policy tools.

Transferable/employability skills:

1. Critically analyse local environmental strategies, development planning, environmental indicators and environmental assessment ‘tools’ in promoting sustainable development;
2. Skills in group collaboration and oral presentation, and
3. Written communication skills

The formal assessment of this module is through 1) an unseen written Class Test and, 2) a written report.

For the unseen written Class Test students must answer two from a selection of six questions within a 1.5 hour period. To support students revision for the Class, they will be given the opportunity to review and discuss a selection of Class Test answers by previous students. There will also be a an opportunity for students to work in small groups and prepare draft answers to mock exam questions, and receive feedback on their mock answers.

For the written report, students must complete a 2,000 word (maximum) report based one of four options. Report options will be made available to students via Learning Central, and the final lecture in the semester will be used to discuss how to approach the coursework. To support students in completing their coursework, they will be given the opportunity to review and discuss a selection of research proposals submitted by previous students.

Type of assessment

%

Contribution

Title

Duration
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment

Examination

50

-

1.5 hrs

November

Coursework

50

Written Report

2000 words (maximum)

January

The potential for reassessment in this module

Students are permitted to be reassessed in a module which they have failed, in line with the course regulations. The reassessment will usually take place during the summer.

This module assumes that students will begin with limited knowledge on environmental policy and planning. Consequently it begins by introducing students to key concepts and debates including sustainable development and environmental limits; growth of environmentalism and the greening of politics; greening of public and private sector organisations; climate change science and spatial planning; and the politics and policy of climate change. The second half of the module will then apply these key concepts and debates to examine the scope for integrating environmental concerns into decision making processes, focusing particularly at a UK local government level. It will also explore the value of local environmental strategies, development planning, environmental indicators and environmental assessment tools in promoting sustainable development. All sessions are mandatory for students.

Bell, S. and S. Morse (2008) Sustainability Indicators. Measuring the Immeasurable? (Second Edition). Earthscan, London.

Carter, N. (2007) The Politics of the Environment. (Second Edition). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Connelly, J. and G. Smith (2003) Politics and the Environment. Routledge, London.

Cox, J. (2002) Red man, green man: performance indicators for urban sustainability. RICS, London.

Glasson J, Therivel, R. and A. Chadwick (2012) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment (Fourth Edition). Routledge, London.

Jordan, A. J. and A. Lenschow (2009) Innovation in Environmental Policy. Integrating the Environment for Sustainability. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar.

Wilson, E. and J. Piper (2010) Spatial Planning and Climate Change. Abingdon: Routledge.

Giddens, A. (2009) The Politics of Climate Change. Polity Press, Cambridge.

Hulme, M. (2009) Why we disagree about Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.