Course coordinator
Dr Philip Stewart
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
Carbon and energy management is concerned with how society can best respond to climate change. A competent response to climate change requires a sound understanding of climate science and what the impacts of climate change are likely to be. A competent response to climate change also requires an understanding of how to manage different sources of carbon emissions, including the advantages and disadvantages of different power supply technologies and the management of carbon stocks in forests, soils and agriculture. We also need to know how to evaluate and compare the merits of different climate change response strategies and how Governments can promote effective responses through sound climate and energy policy. The course also includes instruction on a number of important carbon and energy management practices, such as carbon foot-printing, abatement and offset project design and appraisal, energy use auditing, alternative energy pathway design and appraisal, and emissions trading.
The course is structured around twelve important understandings of carbon and energy management. Those are; (1) understanding how climate systems work; (2) understanding the drivers and evidence of human-induced climate change; (3) understanding the expected impacts of climate changeﾠand principles ofﾠclimate risk assessment and climate justice; (4) understanding how the public and private sectors respondﾠto climate change; (5) understanding carbon inventory including emissions by country and source, currently and historically, plus foot printing methods for countries, organisations, products and services; (6) understanding the links between carbon, energy and sustainable electricityﾠsupply systems including key principles and terms,ﾠand issues of scale in sustainable electricity supply system design; (7) understanding the advantages and disadvantages of power supply technologies including coal, oil and gas (conventional and unconventional), nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind, wave, tidal, geothermal and bioenergy and topics of special interest such as carbon capture and storage (including negative emissions technologies, direct air carbon capture and storage and bioenergy carbon capture and storage), hydrogen fuel, batteries and electric vehicles; (8) understanding carbon stored in natural resources including methods to estimate carbon stocks and sequestration rates in soils and vegetation (particular planted and natural forests) and the opportunities and limitations for the use of nature-based responses to climate change including climate-smart agriculture; (9) understanding carbon offsetting principles, processes and practise including major offsetting schemes, concepts of co-benefits, blue carbonﾠand REDD+; (10) understanding methods to assess emissions reduction options including marginal abatement cost curves, basic project financial appraisal methods, total systems cost analysis for electricity supply systems, the social cost of carbon and the works of William Nordhaus; (11) understanding climate and energy policy, including key international frameworks such as the UNFCCCﾠand related initiatives, insights from the history of climate and energy policy in Australia, and lessons from noteworthy initiatives such as the Australian Renewable Energy Targetﾠandﾠthe Green Climate Fund; and (12) understanding the role ofﾠinsurance and finance in responses to climate change, including the influenceﾠof the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and insights from government-led climate financeﾠinitiatives such as the Australian Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENVM2522, ENVM7524 (co-taught).
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- ENVM7524
Course contact
Tutor
Ms Anuradhi Jayasinghe
Tutor
Ms Swastika Samanta
Tutor
Mr Hung Le
Tutor
Ms Susie Fifoot
Tutor
Mr Alex Watkins
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Philip Stewart
Guest lecturer
Mr Edoardo Sperone
Demonstrator
Mr Edoardo Sperone
Miss Shruti Joshi
Lecturer assistant
Mr Hung Le
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to improve students' understanding of carbon and energy management to enable them to competently engage in responses to climate change.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the basic principles of environmental - Demonstrate an understanding of key carbon and energy management competencies related to climate systems and drivers of climate change.
LO2.
Understand the basic principles of environmental - Demonstrate an understanding of key carbon and energy management competencies related to carbon inventory and the management of emissions reduction opportunities.
LO3.
Understand the basic principles of environmental - Demonstrate an understanding of key carbon and energy management competencies related to sustainable power supply systems.
LO4.
Understand the basic principles of environmental - Demonstrate an understanding of key carbon and energy management competencies related to carbon in natural resources.
LO5.
Understand the basic principles of environmental - Demonstrate an understanding of key carbon and energy management competencies related to carbon offsetting principles and practise, climate and energy policy and the role of insurance and finance in climate change responses.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Case Study on Carbon Management
|
40% Individual |
14/10/2024 2:00 pm |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Practical Assessments
|
30% Individual |
5/08/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
| Quiz |
Quiz 1
|
10% Individual |
9/09/2024 - 13/09/2024 |
| Quiz |
Quiz 2
|
20% Individual |
21/10/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Case Study on Carbon Management
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40% Individual
- Due date
14/10/2024 2:00 pm
Task description
Case Study Assessment ENVM1522 Semester 2 2023
Contents
1. Preface
2. Task Instructions, Word Limit and Report Structure
3. Due Dates
4. Submission Method and Marking System
5. Formatting and Referencing Requirements
1. Preface
Many firms are responding to society’s call for action on climate change by going ‘carbon neutral’. Indeed, terms like ‘carbon neutral’, ‘net zero’ and ‘carbon positive’ are often used interchangeably to describe how a firm estimates its reportable greenhouse gas emissions and then takes steps to reduce those emissions. Firms can emit and reduce emissions at different scales, have different emissions reduction priorities, use different emissions reduction methods and be at different stages in their pathway towards having zero net reportable emissions. In this assignment you will examine how a specified firm has estimated and reduced its reportable emissions. The objective is for you to develop and demonstrate your understanding of the actions and issues involved in the process of carbon management.
2. Task Instructions, Word Limit and Report Structure
- Each student will be assigned (via blackboard) a case study firm by the end of Week 1.
- Each student is required to complete the assignment on their assigned case study firm.
- No two students should complete the assignment on the same case study firm.
- Students who enrol after Week 1 or for whatever reason have not been assigned a case study firm by the end of Week 1, must email the course coordinator as soon as possible so they can be assigned a case study firm.
- Your task is to examine how your case study firm has estimated and reduced its reportable greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, you must follow the Report Structure outlined below and include the content listed in the Report Structure below for each relevant section.
- Case studies are a research method commonly used in environmental management. The format of case study analysis varies based on the research purpose and context. In this assignment, follow the Report Structure provided below. Case study analysis allows detailed examination and explanation of an interesting example of an important and often complex phenomenon. In this assignment, the interesting example is your case study firm, and the phenomenon is how the firm engages in the process of estimating and reducing its net reportable greenhouse gas emissions.
- The recommended word length for the assignment is 2500 words. This excludes the title, abstract, all figures and tables and their titles, footnotes, citations, and the reference list. There is no penalty for exceeding the recommended word limit.
- Your report must follow the Report Structure outlined below.
Section
Content
Word Length
Title
You can choose your own title. Good titles have meaning and give the reader insight into what the report is about. For example, ‘Assignment 1 ENVM1522’ has no meaning, but this does; ‘How do banks manage carbon emissions not only directly from their office operations, but also from their investments? A case study of Westpac’.
No more than 30 words.
Hurdle requirements
A student must achieve at least 50% overall for the report.Submission guidelines
Students MUST submit an electronic copy of their report through Turnitin in Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Practical Assessments
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 30% Individual
- Due date
5/08/2024 - 25/10/2024
Task description
Practical's - Based on the questions in the practical's
There will be 10 assessments - 1 assessment per practical with a weight of 3% each based on the questions in the practical's. The assessments require written answers by the students.
(Recommended structure - 3% is divided into 3 questions).
Submission guidelines
All practical answers to questions must be submitted online through Blackboard - Upload link provided on the practical page on Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Quiz 1
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10% Individual
- Due date
9/09/2024 - 13/09/2024
Task description
Quiz 1 - Based on weeks 1 - 6 (Quiz in week 7)
This will have MCQ questions based on the lectures and practical's
Submission guidelines
Quiz is to be taken online through Blackboard. The quiz window will be open for 5 days (Monday to Friday) on week 7 and the student must take the quiz within this period. The quiz has a time limit of 20 minutes once a student accesses the quiz. The quiz contains 20 multiple choice, true/false questions.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Quiz 2
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20% Individual
- Due date
21/10/2024 - 25/10/2024
Task description
Quiz 2 - Based on lectures 1 to12 and practical's 1 to 10.
This will have MCQ questions based on the lectures of the entire course and practical's.
Submission guidelines
Quiz 2 is to be taken online through Blackboard. The quiz window will be open for 5 days (Monday to Friday) on week 13 and the student must take the quiz within this period. The quiz has a time limit of 20 minutes once a student accesses the quiz. The quiz contains 20 multiple choice, true/false questions.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% PERFORMANCE HURDLE: see Other Requirements and Comments below. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% PERFORMANCE HURDLE: see Other Requirements and Comments below |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% PERFORMANCE HURDLE: see Other Requirements and Comments below. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% PERFORMANCE HURDLE: see Other Requirements and Comments below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% PERFORMANCE HURDLE: see Other Requirements and Comments below. |
Additional course grading information
PERFORMANCE HURDLE: Students are required to achieve a mark of 50% to pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Courses graded 1-7
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Performance hurdle: Students are required to achieve a mark of 50% to pass the course.
Applications for Extensions
Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension
Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.
If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
Please note: While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses. You might need to consider applying for removal of course. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)
For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Turnitin
By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment.”
All students must ensure they receive their Turnitin receipt on submission of any assessments. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after five days, will receive zero.
In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Lecture |
Week 1 Introduction, Course Overview, Responses to Climate Change |
|
Lecture |
Week 2 Carbon Inventory 1 |
|
Lecture |
Week 3 Carbon Inventory 2 |
|
Lecture |
Week 4 No class - public holiday |
|
Lecture |
Week 5 Sustainable Power Supply Systems 1 |
|
Lecture |
Week 6 Sustainable Power Supply Systems 2 |
|
Lecture |
Week 7 Sustainable Power Supply Systems 3 |
|
Lecture |
Week 8 Carbon in Natural Ecosystems |
|
Lecture |
Week 9 Carbon Offsets |
|
Lecture |
Week 10 Climate Risk and the Finance Sector |
|
Lecture |
Week 11 Climate and Energy Policy, Abatement Options Appraisal |
|
Lecture |
Week 12 Emissions Trading Simulation |
|
Lecture |
Week 13 Climate Risk and Climate Finance |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.