Empowering Tomorrow’s Climate Champions
This Spring semester, the CIVICA multi-campus course will aim to equip students with the tools to tackle the complex challenges of the green transition. The “Road to the Green Transition” course, coordinated by Bocconi’s Alexandros Kentikelenis, will in fact critically explore the main policy challenges in achieving ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as called for in the Paris Agreement. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of economic policy, the role of the private sector, and the multi-level politics behind the green transition.
The CIVICA multi-campus courses, designed and taught jointly by teams of professors from the alliance, represent a flagship initiative of CIVICA for master’s students, coordinated by Bocconi University, offering interdisciplinary approaches and cross-cultural perspectives as well as the opportunity to study and interact in a trans-European setting.
On top of a series of live online lectures integrated with local activities, the course spurs students to work in transnational teams to complete a final capstone assignment in the form of a podcast related to climate policy challenges.
CIVICA spoke to course coordinator, Alexandros Kentikelenis, professor of sociology and political economy at Bocconi, to learn more about the course’s objectives and what students can expect.
Alexandros, could you provide an overview of the course and outline what students will gain from it?
Alexandros Kentikelenis: Certainly. The course is designed to be interdisciplinary and to expose students to various aspects of the green transition. The starting point is recognising that there isn’t a single, definitive approach to this issue. We wanted to avoid creating a course that examines the green transition in a silo. Instead, we’re addressing it from national, European, and international perspectives, breaking down key components of the process. For instance, we explore where funding for the green transition comes from, the role of the private sector, and the political dynamics around implementing these policies. By dissecting the topic in this way, we aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges involved. This structure also reflects the strengths of the CIVICA alliance. The students taking this course won’t all be economists or political scientists; they’ll come from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. It was important for us to create a course that speaks to everyone while also encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones and develop new insights into the green transition process.
Could you share an example of one of the real-world challenges the course addresses?
Alexandros Kentikelenis: Sure. One example involves fostering international cooperation for the green transition, particularly in terms of global financing. We examine how institutions like the World Bank or other international development banks set green transition targets, secure funding, and assess the implications of their investments. Another focus is the political aspect of the green transition, such as ensuring a "just transition." This means achieving green objectives while addressing inequalities. We'll analyse comparative evidence from Europe to understand how climate change has become politicised and explore ways to implement policies that build support for the transition rather than further polarising the electorate. For instance, we’ll discuss how Germany has experienced political pushback against green policies, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in creating inclusive climate strategies.
Why are these topics of such high importance and what makes this course so timely?
Alexandros Kentikelenis: The urgency comes from the fact that climate change is accelerating, and we appear to be on track to miss key targets set by the Paris Agreement. This is particularly concerning given the presence of climate-sceptic governments around the world. We’re already witnessing the consequences of climate change; floods, heatwaves and droughts, to name a few. The course seeks to equip students with the analytical tools to understand the complexities of these challenges and the potential solutions. We also want to help students become more critical consumers of climate-related information, enabling them to look beyond headlines and grasp the nuances of climate policies. For students, we hope the course inspires further exploration; whether through additional coursework, research projects, or careers in fields related to the green transition.
Can you elaborate on the skills and tools students will gain from the course, particularly in preparation for careers related to the green transition?
Alexandros Kentikelenis: Absolutely. One key skill is policy analysis, focusing on green transition issues. This involves understanding the roles of the state, private sector, and social pressures in shaping policies. While the focus is on climate, these skills are transferable to other policy areas, such as industrial development or inequality reduction. Another essential component is cross-national and cross-cultural collaboration. The main assessment for the course is a podcast, which teams of students will produce collaboratively. Each team will consist of up to five students from at least three different CIVICA campuses, often from varied disciplines. This exercise aims to build collaboration skills in a diverse, international context. The podcast will serve as a public-facing output and will be hosted on the CIVICA website. We believe this practical experience will prepare students for professional environments where international teamwork is increasingly common.
Will students receive guidance and support for the podcast component of the course?
Alexandros Kentikelenis: Absolutely. The course includes clear technical instructions for podcast production. Many of the teaching staff already use podcasts as part of their regular teaching, so we’re well-prepared to guide students. The process is straightforward, and we’ll provide comprehensive guidance to ensure everyone feels confident.
The academic staff bring a remarkable diversity of teaching expertise to this course. Could you share how their contributions shaped the course and how this will enhance the learning experience for students?
Alexandros Kentikelenis: The course fosters collaboration not only among students but also among the teaching staff across CIVICA universities. This is a genuinely collaborative endeavour, with most CIVICA partners represented in the teaching team. Each professor brings their expertise to the topics they cover, ensuring that students benefit from cutting-edge knowledge.