Climate Change Policy and Law (DHP-P254)

Fall 2026 · DHP P254 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

This course provides an overview of the scientific, economic, political and ethical dimensions of the challenge of global climate change. It then focuses on developing a detailed understanding of whether and how the international “climate change regime” (comprising the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and related instruments) has effectively and fairly addressed the challenge of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of how the international climate change regime has put in place principles, goals and commitments to cut global emissions, as well as institutions, market and financial instruments, and transparency and accountability mechanisms to keep governments on track to meet their obligations. By participating in simulated negotiations on key elements of the Paris Agreement, students will gain a deeper appreciation of the geopolitics and the processes that have shaped the climate change regime. Finally, a series of case studies will assess how different national and regional jurisdictions have been implementing the international regime through their domestic law and policy, and assess whether these differences in approach are likely to lead to more cooperation or conflict in areas such as trade and investment policy.

Course codes: DHP-P254

• 1-LEC (Lecture) — Easwaran Narassimhan