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Chinese Overseas Investment Policy: Implications for Climate Change

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Chinese Overseas Investment Policy: Implications for Climate Change

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The book focuses on the realms of international relations inside the paper "Climate Implications of Chinese Overseas Investment Policy" (6 May 2021) written by Kelly Sims Gallagher and Qi Qi. They acknowledge that overseas investments play a significant role in China's environmental policy. More specifically, the authors grasp the fact that overseas investments made by China carries a great significance in the climate change scenario worldwide, given that numerous projects are developed in carbon-intensive sectors. In fact, the three important themes, environmental sustainability, economic development and the new position of emerging countries in international governance are rooted in the whole investigation. China’s investment strategy and the associated environmental, social and governance (ESG) trade-offs were extensively analysed inside the research. On one hand, foreign investments made by China can trigger economic growth, infrastructure improvement and employment at the local levels. On the other hand, foreign investments can depend on carbon-intensive industries such as energy or mining, thus carrying important environmental implications at the local levels and increasing greenhouse gas emissions at the global level. Moreover, this research highlights the difficulty in providing timely advice to Chinese authorities and the frequent uncertainties related to firms’ engagement at the local levels. For instance, Chinese investments in infrastructure projects, such as BRI investment in Pakistan, show positive outcomes in terms of economic growth and infrastructure development, but negative ones due to environmental degradation. Conversely, the approval of Chinese green investments like solar project in Kenya have a positive impact on the green revolution. Risks of the policy While Chinese investments may be beneficial for local economic classes and tend to mitigate deprivation, it is important to highlight that funds directed to infrastructure and fossil fuel frequently carry a series of social and environmental risks for the countries involved. Clarifying that China’s investment experience reveals the necessity for investment agreements between the host countries and the investing one, this study deeply dives into ESG cases, clarifying that poor management of conflicts undermine the cohesiveness among local communities and the engagement of indigenous groups in development schemes. In addition, discussion inside the policy research requires the measurement of the considerable social trade-offs at the localised level and the businesses’ commitment at the same level.

Case studies

1. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investment in Pakistan

When examining benefits and costs in developing countries, particularly those in emerging economies and/or countries with socio-economic challenges, a very complex scenario can be observed. Let’s take the case of BRI investment in Pakistan as an example. As China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) started, the construction of highways connecting territories has improved significantly, leading to economic growth and propelling Pakistan’s development. Dealing with improvement, it is necessary to consider that, according to the authors inside this study, the power sector experienced significant growth due to investments realized inside CPEC. However, figures expose a dangerous trend consisting in an increase of greenhouse gas emissions due to the adoption of coal as a power source for industries.

2. Hydropower projects in Cambodia

Hydro plants represent technologies with an enhanced competitiveness which, inside investment geographies, can be attractive from an economic investor’s standpoint. In this case study, the authors describe several hydropower projects constructed by Chinese firms inside Cambodia between 2005 and 2020 along the Mekong River basin. Thanks to the construction of other 17 hydropower plants, nowadays the production of renewable electricity accounts for 29 per cent of the Cambodian electricity production. Before 2005, these percentages accounted just for two per cent. Within an analysis conducted by the World Bank, it is possible to highlight a complex scenario consisting in the multitude of benefits and costs derived from this investment scenario. Clearly, we have observed positive contributions at the economic and social levels.

3. Solar energy investment in Kenya

Regarding wind power and solar energy investment, economic and environmental magnitudes are more evident at this stage. The case of Kenya turned out to be a positive example of Chinese investment in African countries, leading to the provision of access to more energy through solar electric improvements. Finally, it is worth highlighting that moving towards green technologies constitutes an enhanced path to mitigate climate change, and a positive trend from the local-level perspective. Effects of the policy At the geopolitical level, China’s overseas investments trigger active discussions on the need of a positive trail from investments made by the most dynamic economy, particularly when considering their connection with climate change.

China’s developmental impact reaches further, which goes beyond the macroscopic level of global climatic pathways. Although on the surface, these investments can generate economic development, infrastructure improvement and job creation in host countries, they also impose substantial material and environmental risks to both the host countries and wider implications to climate efforts on a global scale, which depend solely on how China invests in which sectors and employs which technologies. No doubt that this can be an important route for China to make social and global impact.

However, these also raise significant material and social concerns. Outward investments made by China can increase economic growth, construction of infrastructures and employment generation in host countries. Also, solar and wind power can help mobilise sustainable development and lead to reduction of carbon emission. There are some negative sides. Fossil powered projects and mega infrastructures can contribute to material damages, increased carbon emission and loss of bio-diversity. And, large projects can result in social displacement and thus lead to significant social tensions. To balance out the positives and the negatives of Chinese outward investments, a multi-level approach is key. Reform the willingness in Chinese outward investments by encouraging stricter environmental standards and climate goals in the ways Chinese goes about investing overseas. And develop global governance and move forward constructive international dialogue and mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in overseas investments. Developing policies that can ensure harmony in differences and streamlined negotiations to make sure that international investment agreements can be mutually reached and enforced, with environmental consideration.

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The climate and land use change nexus: Implications for designing adaptation and conservation investment strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa

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The climate and land use change nexus: Implications for designing adaptation and conservation investment strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa

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This book as a whole is about the complicated relationship between climate change and land use changes in Sub-Saharan Africa and the urgency for a well-designed adaptation and conservation investment. The book shows the broader global themes such as environmentally sustainable development, economic development and international cooperation.

The link between the climate change and land use change has global impacts beyond any one nation. It requires Coordinated policies by the international community to successfully tackle the issue. In international relations aspect, the paper calls for global governance framework to solve the problems caused by climate, land and energy changes. From international relations perspective, to combat the environmental and energy challenges, data analytics can serve as a technical complement to provide timely information to decision making. Climate change, land use change and energy use change can send strong signals to the world community asking for international cooperation, international funding and international technical assistance.

One of the key findings from this book is about future adaptation and conservation investment to mitigate and reduce the negative impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa. From an international relations perspective, climate changes, land use changes and energy use changes are new challenges for sustainable development that require the global governance and multilateral cooperation by the international community. It's crucial for the international community to respond to the needs of vulnerable regions and people groups with developed countries providing technical and financial assistance towards finding new solutions.

The authors have clearly highlighted the vulnerability of Sub-Saharan ecosystems to future climate change and land use changes. I also find two issues arise from the role of international relations in tackling these issues. First, the urgency of international community response and the need for resources like funding and technical expertise. Second, the crucial question is how the diplomacy and international agreements can better be made. The authors have clearly identified the core of the problem - the climate change and land use change as the double-threat and direct factor for environmental degradation and threat of livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa.

From international relations perspective, the solution exists in the hand of diplomacy channels and international cooperation. International cooperation mechanisms can be applied to design and implement an effective adaptation and conservation investment. Global governance frameworks and international funding and technical assistance can be leveraged to better aid in the challenges. I agree with the authors in enhancing international cooperation, coordination and integration across borders to tackle environmental issues. International relations can help in mobilising resources, knowledge and technical expertise as well as political will to implement these strategies. Global partnership across international organisations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, will help ensure that the right resources are sent to vulnerable regions to tackle the problems.

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The Role of Renewable Energy Policies in Mitigating Climate Change: A Comparative Analysis of Germany and China

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The Role of Renewable Energy Policies in Mitigating Climate Change: A Comparative Analysis of Germany and China

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Climate change is one of the greatest threats to world ecology and human society in the present time. To reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, the rapid and efficient development and use of renewable energy is an essential part of policies to mitigate climate change. This essay will discuss the renewable energy policies of two countries, Germany and China are comparing and contrasting their approaches, outcomes and impacts on climate change.

Meanwhile, this essay examines what lessons can be learned from these policies by looking at them within the wider context of global policies on climate change. The concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere is the fundamental cause of climate change. According to Paltsev et al. (2012), This has been the result of human activities, 82 percent of which relates to the combustion of fossil fuels. Renewable energy has recently become an effective form of energy, though its share in national energy consumption is still far from the level demanded for mitigating climate change. Renewable energy comes from solar, wind, hydroelectric power, and other sources. Using renewable energy instead of fossil energy can reduce carbon emissions dramatically. The renewable energy policies of Germany and China are discussed in this essay.

Though sharing no similar political system or economic status, these two countries are the most significant powers in Europe and Asia, respectively. They have implemented renewable energy policies that support the sustainable and rapid development of renewable energy. The “Energiewende” is a comprehensive strategy of German renewable energy policies. It aims to transform Germany’s energy system, phasing out nuclear energy, more than doubling the share of renewables from 15 percent to 35 percent in the energy mix, and boosting energy efficiency. The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) is one of the most crucial policies of the Energiewende, which has supported wind and solar power and promoted their development with feed-in tariffs. As a consequence, Germany’s electricity output from renewable energy sources has increased steadily from 6.3 percent in 2000 to 30 percent in 2019 along with the global reduction of carbon emissions (Hatch, 2010; Klein, 2012). Nonetheless, there are also inherent challenges in these renewable energy policies, which include technological issues like grid integration, public resistance to wind farms and the economic need to subsidise renewable energy at great cost.

Next, this essay closely examines China's renewable energy policies. Investments made by China, the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, provide an interesting comparative case. Notwithstanding its continued emissions increases, the Chinese government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy development in the Five-Year Plan and has implemented policies to promote solar, wind and hydroelectric power. According to Yuan (2017), China is one of the main countries with strong capacities in solar and wind Generous government subsidies, favourable loan conditions and investments in renewable energy tech sales are among the driving factors behind this growth. However, China continues to face challenges regarding grid stability, curtailment of renewable energy, and the impacts of a government subsidy led push to expand economic growth at the expense of environmental sustainability (Paltsev et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2018).

Comparative Analysis

Both Germany and China scaled up and diversified renewable energy capacities substantially, albeit with fundamental differences in their approaches and progress. Germany’s policies are characterised by bureaucratic and political need for development and implementation of regulations and financial incentives, backed by strong public and political support for environmental sustainability. In contrast, China’s approach shows large-scale government investment and a highly centralised implementation strategy, but lacks strong public and political buy in for government support of the environment and sustainability. Significant successes in increasing the capacity of renewable energy and emissions reduction go alongside a number of notable challenges regarding grid integration and maintaining momentum when faced with economic pressures. The Both China and Germany require a combination of regulatory support, financial incentives and government investment to successfully promote renewable energy (Hatch, 2010; Wang et al., 2018).

In conclusion, renewable energy policies required for combating climate change have been greatly influenced by experiences of Germany and China. Even if these two countries followed different paths in developing these policies, substantial progress was achieved. Germany and China continue to offer lessons for the global climate policy, especially regarding the need of a multifaceted approach to renewable energy that includes enacting and enforcing regulations, financial incentives to overcome information asymmetries and government support. Research must continue focusing on policy sustainability, i.e. how long it takes until such policies are adapted to a national context.

References

Paltsev, S., Morris, J., Cai, Y., Karplus, V. and Jacoby, H., 2012. The role of China in mitigating climate change. Energy Economics, 34, pp.S444-S450.

Wang, B., Wang, Q., Wei, Y.M. and Li, Z.P., 2018. Role of renewable energy in China’s energy security and climate change mitigation: An index decomposition analysis. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 90, pp.187-194.

Hatch, M.T., 2010. The Role of Renewable Energy in German Climate Change Policy. Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, pp.141-151.

Klein, C., 2012. Climate change policies in Germany: Make ambition pay.

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Global Climate Change and Strategies for International Response

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Global Climate Change and Strategies for International Response

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You can listen to the recording by downloading the attached file.

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Global Climate Change and Strategies  for International Response_Lia Ahn

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Essay on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Image Analysis from an International Relations Perspective

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Essay on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Image Analysis from an International Relations Perspective

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The invasion started on 24 february, as a full-scale attack waged by Russian forces. The destruction, loss of life and massive civilian displacement have led to a brutal and bloody war, with sever acute geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western-aligned countries putting immense pressure on the global order and international security. This war, like the ongoing conflict in Syria since 2015, echoes past disputes. It showcases how the repercussions of conflicts spill over into other regions, provoking escalation and instability while highlighting persistent fault lines and tensions.

Administrations Policy

Russia: The Russian administration, represented by President Vladimir Putin, declares that the invasion came to protect the security of the Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine and the respose for the expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe, which Russia sees as a growing threat to national security (Hoffmann, 2022). Russia’s policy is about protecting its sphere of influence, preventing Ukraine from joining Nato, bringing the West’s military presence closer to Russian borders and imposing its will.

Ukraine: The Ukrainian administration, represented by the President Volodymyr Zelensky, wants the country to continue to defend its independence, territorial integrity and supported by closer agreements with the European Union and Nato – by enhancing its security believing that this is the precondition to its independence and international support against the aggression by Russia. The administration is pushing for material military support, sanctions on Russia and diplomatic pressure to end the war and restore the territorial integrity of the country (Sebastian 2022).

International Conflict NATO Expansion: Russia regard NATO in eastern Europe as a direct threat and Ukraine regards Nato as a deterrence to ward off further Russian aggression against it.

Historic Rights: Russia adviches claims of ownership over parts of Ukraine, especially Crimea and Eastern Ukraine to justify their actions while Ukraine insists on its right to self-determination and sovereignty with no other country having any claims over parts of its territory (Mdzinarshvili and Sa’atun, 2022).

Political System: Russia being authoritarian regime versus an Ukraine that desires to move closer to becoming a democracy, highlights the broader conflict between authoritarian and democratic global alignments.

International PositionsUnited States and NATO Allies: Supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, provide military aid, economic sanctions on Russia and working to isolate Russia internationally. Viewing conflict as a battle for democracy values and international law.

European Union: Concerned about catastrophic humanitarian crisis and regional stability. It imposed economic sanctions on Russia, provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, had pushed Russia to the brink of diplomatic isolation. But there are significant differences among the members of the EU over the extent of military involvement and economic and financial sanctions against Russia.

China: Kept it quiet and called for negotiations to end the war through dialogue while refusing to condemn Russia or support the invasion, reflecting its strategic partnership with Moscow and its concerns regarding US-led Western influence. Other Countries: Countries such as India and Brazil belatedly calling for peace but unwilling to antagonise Russia to protect their major economic and strategic interests with Russia and the West simultaneously.

Solutions

Diplomatic Negotiations: Comprehensive diplomatic negotiations between negotiating parties to broker a ceasefire and lasting peace. International third-party mediators, especially the United Nations must be impartial for reaching an equitable peace agreement that should be in accordance of international law.

Economic Sanctions: Continue and tighten economic sanctions against Russia such as cutting off Russia’s access to the SWIFT network, key sectors including energy, finance, and technology with reduced Russia’s ability to continue the war.

Humanitarian Aid: While the conflict continues massive humanitarian assistance to Ukraine is vital for the fleeing Ukrainians on the Ukrainian-Polish border and other areas displaced by the war. International organisations can coordinate international efforts to provide much-needed food, shelter, medicine, trauma reliefs, psychological help, and economic supports to the affected civilian population

Humanitarian Aid: While conflict rages, Ukraine needs security guarantees from the international community such as military weapons, defensive military arsenals and equipment, intelligence sharing etc. Additional security guarantees from third-party countries can guarantee Ukraine’s security from further aggression by Russia.

International law and accountability: International support for strengthening the international legal mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable for enabling the prosecution of war crimes for any violation of international humanitarian law.

My Point of View

As far as international relations is concerned, my point of view is that this conflict should not be resolved with military power. All parties should start implementing solutions to end the conflict while in the diplomatic arena. I believe that there should be more international intervention comes up with the way to stop the tension rising between both sides. This will be done by putting economic sanctions for the agressors, providing humanitarian aid for the refugees and stranded civilians. Also, enforcing international law and holding the violators to account by the threat of prosecution in international court. Diplomatic negotiation between both parties is the way for them to sign a sustainable peace agreement. The strategic interets of all parties should be balanced out, Ukraine & eastern Europe sovereignty should be preverved and territorial integrity should be enforced in this region.

Overall, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is caused by growing political conflicts that disclose historical grievances, heightened geopolitical tensions rooted in cold war divisions, and new ideological battles. The image of a missile strike on Ukrainian soil brings into mind that this conflict is taking a serious toll on humanity and the need for more international solidarity. It requires a comprehensive answer from the international community, and the perpetrators of these barbaric attacks on civilian population should be put on trial to deter other aggressors. Althought the new alliances borderline with the cold war era have undoubtedly played a positve role in detering russia to invade Ukraine further, the international community ought to put more effort into diplomacy, even with russia and holding the violators accountable by building robust international law mechanisms to stop this conflict and restore peace and stability in Europe and maintain this devastating conflict from escalating more.

References

Hoffmann, T., 2022. War or peace?–International legal issues concerning the use of force in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Hungarian Journal of Legal Studies, 63(3), pp.206-235.

Mdzinarshvili, M. and Sa'atun, S., 2022. the Review of International Law on the Causes of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. International Journal of Law Reconstruction, 6(1), pp.75-87.

Sebastian, N., 2022. RUSSIA–UKRAINE CONFLICT: ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL AND GLOBAL POLITICS. From Illusion to Reality–The Nation at 75, p.762.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Health Diplomacy: Challenges and Solutions

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Health Diplomacy: Challenges and Solutions

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health diplomacy has highlighted both the weaknesses and the strengths of international cooperation. The virus swiftly spread across international borders, leading countries to take protective action, ranging from lockdowns to travel bans and border closure. In turn, these measures have far-reaching consequences on global trade, tourism and economic activity. The COVID-19 pandemic has put global health diplomacy in the spotlight. Global health diplomacy is ‘the use of diplomacy to effect change in the arena of global health’. It encompasses a variety of diplomatic activities to promote and realise global health cooperation, ranging from negotiation to consensus-building to advocacy. Three main challenges stand out as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first is the lack of trust and cooperation among countries, which has framed access to vaccines – with some countries hoarding the doses while others struggle to get their hands on vaccines. The second is politicisation. The pandemic has become politicised, with some countries using the pandemic politically or for their own national interests even though it impacts humanity as a whole. The third challenge highlights the weakness of the global health system. The lacklustre response of the World Health Organization (WHO) to the pandemic quickly became a sore subject and contributed to the crisis. A fourth challenge is an urgent need to reform the WHO and other global health institutions to make them fit for purpose for the next crisis.

International Relations Critical Perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has had major implications for international relations. It has widened the gap between countries, while at the same time both eroding international cooperation and bringing into crisis the fragile global economic and financial structures that connect the world. What is needed now is a new model of international relations, one based on cooperation, solidarity and the sharing of burdens, in order to build a more resilient and just world order. Global health challenges are not just for individual countries. They are global commons issues that require global responses. By coming together we can build a healthier and safer world.

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On a reflective note, I would like to recollect my journey through ‘International Relations’ course as a whole and point out a few topics that I learned invaluable lessons from. In retrospect, these topics served as a lens to make sense of the global overwhelming world of interactions, diplomacy and policymaking.

The impact of COVID-19 on the Global Health Diplomacy:

This investigative topic provided me with a compelling case of how health diplomacy can become vital in understanding and managing the global health crisis that came to the limelight with the pandemic. It also highlighted the increasing struggle world countries have faced to make vaccines available to every country on the planet. It is clearly understood that strong multilateral negotiations and crucial support of international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) remain crucial to orchestrating a global response to raging health crisis originating from anywhere on the planet.

Global Climate Change and Strategies for International Response:

Studying this topic reaffirmed just how important an International response is to tackling our global climate change issue. It has allowed me to appreciate and understand how various countries with competing interest get together to negotiate a successful international agreement (such as the Paris Agreement) and the roles different countries play in harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Appreciating the trade-off between national economic growth and the global quest for environmental sustainability has also significantly contributed to my understanding of our role as global citizens in addressing and mitigating the existential threat of climate change and how innovative policies that balance both aspects can be drafted.

The Role of Renewable Energy Policies in Mitigating Climate Change:

A Comparative Analysis of Germany and China This topic is yet another fascinating case of comparing two countries’ renewable energy policies and how politics and the economies of these countries drives their response to the climate change existential threat. This topic allowed me to understand how diverse global challenges require a specific approach, policy types and targets considering the economic structure and political culture of each state. More importantly, I learned that bold and rewarding policy approaches to renewable energy is possible. In this regard, creating a strong regulatory framework with financial incentives, such as Germany’s approach as opposed to China’s massive investment in the renewable energy sector, presents a wide range of opportunities for states to adapt. It is also understood that international cooperation and suitable multilateral agreements mainline the sustainability of efforts to promote renewable energy production.

Essay on Russia-Ukraine Conflict Image Analysis from An International Relations Perspective (IRP) :

Analyzing the Russia-Ukraine conflict from an IRP perspective has been an insightful topic for me to understand the animosity between two nations rooted in geopolitics. The fact that this conflict is likely to be protracted while accentuating the tensions resulting from old and new geopolitical conflicts of countries across Eurasia has simmered my interest in the topic. The conflict exemplifies the lengths to which countries will go to protect their security interests, the implications of history on countries’ actions, the positions of international laws on sovereignty and borders versus inaction or reluctance to take a stand by different countries. The topic also further highlighted the role of international diplomacy in smoothening the peace process with countries that are deemed necessary for achieving de-escalation of interstate conflicts. International cooperation remains crucial in resolving and deescalating interstate conflicts while maintaining peace and security.

Chinese Overseas Investment Policy:

Implications for Climate Change This topic was one of my favorites from the course as it made me understand the global implications of countries’ economic strategies on climate change. Understanding the Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) trade-off in Chinese overseas investment shows that international relations is not only about politics and diplomacy. My understanding of how nonstate actors impact Global policies has improved significantly. More so, I have appreciated the importance of international cooperation in developing sustainable equitable international relations.

Climate and Land Use Change Nexus:

Implications for Designing Adaptation and Conservation Investment Strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa This topic also adds to my interest in international relations and brilliantly demonstrated the importance of understanding the nexus between climate and land use, this case in Sub-Saharan Africa. It shows just how important it is to design adaptation and conservation investment strategies in countries most vulnerable to climate change shocks. Knowing that local knowledge, international funding, adaptive governance and the role to play by international agencies are key elements of designing effective policies have added great value to my international relations learning.

It is these topics that have allowed me to recognise that international relations entails more than politics and diplomacy. The course has instead provided me with a holistic understanding of how international policies are made, and the importance of global solidarity in overcoming today’s common challenges. Moving forward, I hope to embark on a career in international environmental policy. Specifically, I aspire to promote sustainable development that combines economic growth with environmental conservation. This course has provided me with the analytical skills and knowledge that will allow me to contribute meaningfully to policy-making, as well as working to foster international cooperation on global problems.