Climate change and land use

Climate Change and Land Use is an interdisciplinary course offered by the University of Copenhagen. It is open for MSc students and continuing education students with a relevant BSc background in natural sciences, social sciences and economics.

The focus of the course is the effects of climate change on land use and the corresponding feedback effects of land use on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The course covers a range of the UN Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on SDG2 (zero hunger), SGD7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG13 (climate action) and SDG15 (life on land).

Knowledge:
- Describe global, regional and local impacts of climate change on agriculture and forestry
- Summarize how land use and land use change is affecting climate change
- Identify global demand for arable land and drivers of land use change
- Outline major regional differences in land use, agricultural/silvicultural traditions and ecological footprint

Skills:
- Select and apply relevant scientific tools to analyze options for climate change adaptation in agriculture and forestry
- Assess different strategies for reducing GHG emission by carbon sequestration, fossil fuel substitution and resource use optimization in the land use sector
- Compare global, regional and local land use governance policies

Competences:
- Discuss and debate scientific papers on climate change and land use
- Cooperate and work independently to complete a conference poster or scientific manuscript investigating a case specific research questions on climate change and land use
- Reflect on the future perspectives for sustainable land use.