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International Environmental Politics
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:19:30
Abstract
This course deals with the conditions under which cooperation in international environmental politics emerges and the conditions under which such cooperation is effective and/or efficient.
Objective
The objective of this course is (1) to gain an overview of relevant questions in the area of international environmental politics from a social sciences point of view; (2) to learn how to identify interesting/innovative questions on this topic and how to answer them in a methodologically sophisticated way; (3) to gain an overview of important global and regional environmental problems.
Content
This course deals with how and why international cooperation in environmental politics emerges, and under which circumstances such cooperation is effective and efficient. Based on theories of international political economy and theories of government regulation various examples of international environmental politics are discussed: the management of international water resources, the problem of unsafe nuclear power plants in eastern Europe, political responses to global warming, the protection of the stratospheric ozone layer, the reduction of long-range transboundary air pollution in Europe, the regulation of international trade in toxic waste, the international protection of endangered species. The course is open to all ETH students. Participation does not require previous coursework in the social sciences. After passing a final test (requirement: grade 4.0 or higher) students will receive 2 ECTS credit points. The workload is around 60 hours (meetings, reading assignments, preparation of final test).
Resources
Lecture Notes
Slides and reading material will be made available atwww.bernauer.ethz.ch. They are password protected. The username and password will be communicated in the first meeting of the course.
Literature
See www.bernauer.ethz.ch (teaching, materials)
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , DS , MSC , DR
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | International Environmental Politics |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (In order to be awarded credits, please register under "Pflichtwahlfach GESS"!. The language courses are offered by the ETH and University of Zurich Language Center.)
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Compulsory Electives GESS (Categorically all students at ETH Zurich are required to obtain 8 credit points (ECTS) within the frame of this elective course program throughout their studies; 6 credit points during the bachelor and 2 for the master. Some of the lectures are part of other departments’ curricula. Further information can be found in the course catalog or at the particular student offices.)
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Major in Climate and Water: Electives (Advisor of the BSc-major "Climate and Water" is Dr. M. Wüest, Institute for climate and atmosphere (IAC).)
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Major Electives (From the elective courses of the 5th and 6th semester, 24 credits have to be acquired. Other courses have to be granted by the advisor, Dr. M. Wüest, IAC.)
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