With 2024 confirmed as the hottest year on record globally and changes in extreme weather being experienced more quickly than anticipated in many parts of the world, fundamental transformations in all aspects of our society are needed to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

In Australia and our neighbouring Asia and Pacific regions, we are already experiencing the projected effects of climate change such as more frequent and intense heatwaves and storms resulting in flooding, bushfires, food and water insecurity, and socioeconomic disruption. 

The Climate Essentials short course is designed for professionals who want an overview of the latest research and developments around climate change in Australia and its region and discussions on climate change adaptation and mitigation responses across a discrete range of sectors.

Delivered by the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS), this short course brings together leading climate researchers from across the University to discuss with you the science, policy and practice of climate change.

Scope

The Climate Essentials short course provides decision-makers in government, industry, non-government and community sectors with access to the latest research and ANU expertise on climate change adaptation and co-benefits.

The course is delivered live and has a facilitated presentation + discussion design: six topic-based presentations from six ANU-affiliated researchers who work at the interface of science-policymaking-practice, and group discussions with the ANU team and fellow participants who typically come from a diverse range of workplaces and sectors. 

During the course, participants are encouraged to share their thoughts/experiences and discuss ways that the research relates to their broader work contexts. On completion of the course, participants will have:

• An understanding of the key drivers and underlying processes involved in climate change, projections for the future under varying degrees of emission-reduction, and climate change mitigation concepts, targets and technologies.
• An appreciation of the key concepts pertaining to, and frameworks for, climate change adaptation, including the integration of climate adaptation in policy, and institutional and governance implications of adaptation.
• Insights into the links between values, beliefs, ideology and attitudes to climate change strategies and factors to consider when communicating on climate change.
• An understanding of the basic links between climate change and human health, including a range of responses to adapt to and mitigate climate-induced health impacts, and multidisciplinary and multisectoral approaches to action in the health sector. 
• An appreciation of climate change impacts, climate security, and climate diplomacy in the Pacific region.
• A broader network of people who are working on climate change solutions, including the ANU ICEDS team.

Program

• Welcome and introduction - Rachel Stuart (facilitator)
• Understanding climate change and extremes - Professor Mark Howden
• Climate change adaptation - Emeritus Professor Ian Noble
• Climate change mitigation and technologies - Dr Thomas Longden
• Communicating climate change - Associate Professor Bec Colvin
• Health and climate change - Associate Professor Nina Lansbury
• Climate change in our region - Salā Dr George Carter

Please note that this program is subject to change. Information about course logistics will be provided to registrants 4 days before the course begins.

Registrations for this course are via Humanitix (with 100% of Humantix profits going to education charities).

Details

• The course is delivered online and live.
• The course covers six broad topics over three mornings; two sessions per day, each session punctuated by a short break and group discussions.
• Participation is via a computer-based video conferencing tool (e.g. Zoom Meetings, Microsoft Teams) allowing direct interaction and discussion with lecturers and other course participants.
• Course timings between 9.30am – 12.45pm each day.

Who should attend?

The course is most relevant to policymakers and practitioners in Australia, and across the Asia and Pacific regions, who are interested in climate change research. Participants from a range of backgrounds will benefit from the diversity of disciplines covered, which is an essential feature of the course as the energy transformation will impact all sectors of our economy and society. 

Important information

• Registrations are open via Humanitix until 14 March 2025.
• This course will take place subject to demand. Registrants will receive a full refund in the unlikely event that the course is cancelled. Places are limited to 30 participants and registrations are on a 'first come - first served' basis. For more refund details, see our refund policy.
• To receive an ANU Certificate of Participation, participants must attend at least 50% of the course. The ANU Certificate of Participation is not an Australian Qualifications Framework qualification and cannot be used for course credit or exemption at ANU.
• If you have a registration request after 14 March 2025, please contact the ICEDS Executive Education team directly via icedscourses@anu.edu.au.

Registration privacy notice

By registering for this course, you are also subscribing to the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe button at the bottom of correspondence. Find out more information in the course registration privacy notice.