OVERVIEW

The course provides a general overview of climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the concept of climate neutrality (net zero). The Paris Agreement, the European Green Deal, and the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) will be presented. Methods for developing GHG inventories and the main decarbonization strategies will be addressed. In addition, urban and industrial mitigation plans will be introduced through exercises and specific case studies.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course objectives are aimed at developing competencies related to the mechanisms of climate change, decarbonization strategies, and mitigation plans.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides fundamental knowledge on the behavior of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and oceans, as well as on the main impacts of climate change. It also enables students to acquire competencies related to the concept of climate neutrality (Net Zero), emission classification (Scope 1, 2, and 3), and the development of GHG inventories (ISO 14064, GHG Protocol), mitigation plans, and medium- and long-term decarbonization strategies (Science Based Targets initiative).

PREREQUISITES

No particular prerequisites are requested

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures, exercises, and the use of software.
Innovative tools aimed at active student learning will be employed. The goal is to enhance students’ competencies through new learning methodologies, ranging from e-learning to teamwork, fostering experiences that increase student participation through a higher level of interaction and make students more aware and autonomous.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

A broad treatment of the aspects related to climate change is proposed and the following topics will be discussed:

- climate change mechanism, 
- expected impacts on population and environment,
- Paris Agreement ed European Green Deal
- climate neutrality
- application of the EU-ETS Directive,
- greenhouse gases emissions inventories and application of reduction measures,
- decarbonization strategies and use of low greenhouse gases emissions technologies, 
- development of mitigation plans

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

IPPC AR7 Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis
IPPC AR7 Climate Change: Mitigation of Climate Change
United Nations Paris Agreement 2015
EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) (Directive 2003/87/EC) 
GHG Protocol standards and guidance
ISO 14064-1:2018 - Greenhouse gases. Part 1: Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ATTILIO CONVERTI (President)

ADRIANA DEL BORGHI (President)

MICHELA GALLO (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/10720/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will consist of a written test that includes calculating greenhouse gas emissions and understanding the topics discussed in class

During the winter session there will be three exam sessions (December, January and February) and three exam sessions during the summer session and during the autumn stage of the Polytechnic School. Outside the normal periods of the Polytechnic School, no further exam sessions will be held, with the exception of students without teaching activities in their current academic year curriculum

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Learning will be assessed through a written examination aimed at evaluating not only the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, but also the student's bility ato critically apply the concepts and calculation and emissions-reductions methods developed during the course

FURTHER INFORMATION

Working students and students with SLD, disability or other special educational needs certification are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination methods that, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account of individual learning methods