Do we need to phase down or to phase out fossil fuels? The COP Climate Conference in Glasgow in 2021 demonstrated once again that successful energy transition to meet the Paris climate goals is far from a done deal. While the need for a global transition to a low-carbon energy sector is contested by few, opinions on what this means in practice and on how to get there vary widely.
This course will therefore focus on the societal and political side of energy transition, but also introduce you to physical and technical limitations of the energy system and to global boundaries. The course will give you a broad overview of global energy transition needs, the key societal dilemmas and possible solutions. It will challenge you to discover your own preferred solutions – as well as their main pros and cons. The course will further introduce you to the leading theories, concepts, proposed solutions and current governance efforts in the energy transition. Global solutions will be studied as well as national and local approaches in the Netherlands.
Course leader
Dr. Stephan Slingerland
Target group
This course is suitable for anybody interested in getting a broad overview of key global energy transition issues, dilemmas and solutions. The course focuses on the social and political challenges of this transition and is meant to sharpen your own views on solutions. Excursions and discussions with lecturers and fellow students therefore are an important part of the course.
Course aim
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the main concepts and theories in energy transition and be able to put them into the wider context of global sustainable development;
- Know what has been achieved on the road to energy transition so far;
- Have gained an overview of the greatest challenges and proposed solutions for the future of the energy transition;
- Have a clear insight into their own preferred solutions for the energy transition and the main pros and cons of these solutions.
Credits info: 3 EC
20 hours
Fee info
EUR 950: Tuition fee two-week course
VU Students/PhD candidates and employees of VU Amsterdam* or an Aurora Network Partner €650
Students at Partner Universities of VU Amsterdam €900
Students and PhD candidates at non-partner universities of VU Amsterdam €950*
Professionals €1150
For further information, please click the "LINK TO ORIGINAL" button below.