851-0610-00L  The Role of Finance in Tackling Climate Change

SemesterSpring Semester 2021
LecturersB. Steffen, F. M. Egli, A. Stünzi
Periodicitynon-recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentPrimarily suited for Master and PhD students.



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
851-0610-00 VThe Role of Finance in Tackling Climate Change Special students and auditors need a special permission from the lecturers.2 hrs
Wed16:15-18:00IFW A 34 »
B. Steffen, F. M. Egli, A. Stünzi

Catalogue data

AbstractThis course focuses on public policy to leverage finance in tackling climate change. We cover international negotiations as well as the role of governments in designing public policy for different financing actors (e.g. public and private) in developing and OECD countries.
Objective- Critically examine the role of finance (e.g. public vs private actors) in climate change and the energy transition
- Develop an understanding of the role and design of public policy to direct and mobilize finance
- Find out about current challenges in climate finance with a focus on Switzerland
ContentReaching the 2°C climate target requires massive investments in low-carbon technologies. In 2015, the Paris Agreement underlined the responsibility of governments to align finance flows with climate change mitigation. Accordingly, a market for low-carbon investments emerged, but the available climate finance falls short of what is needed. Thus, political discussions on the international and national levels concern how public policies can better use the financial system to accelerate climate change mitigation. In this course, students will learn about the role of finance for the low-carbon transition in developing countries, in industrialized countries, and specifically in Switzerland. We will discuss existing policies, their effectiveness and the underlying political economy challenges to implement them. Combining recent academic findings and hands-on insights from guest lecturers, we will analyze structural challenges, conflicting positions in international negotiations and domestic policy-making, and the role of multilateral financial institutions. The course covers four key topics:
- The role of finance in climate change and the importance of public policy
- International climate finance and development
- Climate and energy finance in OECD countries
- Opportunities (and responsibilities) for Switzerland and its financial sector

The course has a highly interactive (seminar-like) character. Students are expected to give a presentation and to actively engage in the discussions. The presentation will also form part of the final grade, together with a final exam.
Lecture notesSlides and reading material will be made available via moodle.ethz.ch (only for registered students).
LiteratureA reading list will be provided via moodle.ethz.ch (only for registered students).

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersB. Steffen, F. M. Egli, A. Stünzi
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

General : Special students and auditors need a special permission from the lecturers
Places20 at the most
Waiting listuntil 07.03.2021

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Doctoral Department of Humanities, Social and Political SciencesDoctoral and Post-Doctoral CoursesW+Information
GESS Science in PerspectiveEconomicsWInformation
Science, Technology, and Policy MasterElectivesWInformation