Admission requirements
Required course(s):
Extended Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment and/or Environmental Governance
Sharing Scarcity: The Commons and/or Sharing Scarcity: Water
Description
On a global level, indicators of human wellbeing have increased dramatically in recent decades. At the same time, it becomes evident that our development has arrived at a crossroads. Many of our advancements, including the eradication of hunger and poverty have stalled and inequality is on the rise in most countries. We have probably altered the planetary system profoundly enough to impact the environmental conditions for life on earth for generations. Despite concerted efforts, we keep failing to slow the erosion of biological diversity. By degrading the ecological processes that supply us with critical ecosystem services and natural resources, we are undermining the very foundations for prosperity and well-being.
By definition, natural resources are subject to scarcity and potentially to depletion through human use, and environmental change is exacerbating this situation. In a rapidly changing world, natural resource management (NRM) must acknowledge that human systems, our societies and economies, are ultimately embedded in and constrained by the natural world. This means we need a solid science base to understand natural systems and manage them sustainably to continue improving prosperity and quality of life for people everywhere. Furthermore, we need to acknowledge that sustainability is highly context dependent and that it will always remain a ‘moving target’. Business as usual is no option and it remains our responsibility to collectively shape, implement and adapt sustainable NRM strategies.
This course explores how we can balance environmental, social and economic viability in the context of NRM. Specifically, we are going to focus on sustainable strategies and instruments of managing renewable resources, such as forests, soils or water in different parts of the world.
During the first two weeks we will discuss fundamental concepts relevant to NRM within the context of natural and socio-economic systems:
Global environmental change and resilience of natural systems
The importance of biodiversity for sustaining Earth systems
The role of natural systems and resources in different economic models
NRM concepts and governance
NRM and global markets
During week 3-7 the course will focus on land management strategies, policies, market instruments and private sector efforts to implement sustainable NRM. We will critically analyze case studies from different countries on the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, Payment for Ecosystem Services, Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), sustainable forest management, and protected area management, among others. Students will actively help shaping the course by contributing case studies and applying acquired knowledge to proposing viable, case specific NRM solutions.
Course Objectives
Knowledge
Understand the interrelations between NRM and sustainability in high- and lower-income countries, connected by global markets
Understand the priorities of sustainable NRM in different parts of the world
Understand the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of existing NRM practices under a range of environmental, socio-economic and cultural conditions
Understand how NRM strategies fit into the context of local environmental governance and planning
Skills
Analyze the impacts and benefits of current natural resource use on the environment, communities and livelihoods
Develop suitable NRM strategies within a range of environmental, socio-economic and cultural conditions
Construct a rigorous results chain for planning and monitoring
Identify key partners, stakeholders and funding sources for the implementation of NRM strategies
Descriptive data analysis and scientific writing
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2024-2025 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
The first part of the course will consist of seminar-style lectures and discussions on the overarching concepts and themes, based on readings, other class materials and perspectives. Within this context, we will aim at taking advantage of the different backgrounds and perspectives contributed by students from the GED and EES majors.
During the second part of the course, we will analyze different case studies presented by the instructor, guest-lecturers and by students under the umbrella of the overarching themes presented above. Case studies will analyze the environmental, social and economic impacts and benefits of different NRM approaches. Students will develop their case studies in small groups throughout the course in several steps, including a short proposal, a presentation and a final report.
Short field trips will illustrate local land management examples and will offer opportunities to evaluate sustainable land management practices during a field exercise, based on the collection of quantitative and qualitative data.
Assessment Method
Participation 15%
Field exercise poster 15%
Case study proposal 15%
Proposal peer review 10%
Case study presentation 20%
Final report 25%
Reading list
Readings will be listed in the syllabus.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr. Achim Häger, a.hager@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
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