English   Danish

2025/2026  BA-BHAAI1116U  Climate Crises and Energy Transitions – Past and Present

English Title
Climate Crises and Energy Transitions – Past and Present

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration Summer
Start time of the course Summer
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 30
Max. participants 100
Study board
Study Board for General Management
Programme Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Jacobo Ramirez - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
For academic questions related to the course, please contact course responsible Jacobo Ramirez (jara.msc@cbs.dk).
Main academic disciplines
  • CSR and sustainability
  • International political economy
  • Political Science
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 25/11/2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the historical and contemporary interrelations between climate and energy systems, including the role of industrial revolutions, fossil fuel expansion, and energy crises in shaping transitions.
  • Explain key EU climate and energy policies, such as the Emissions Trading System and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
  • Apply basic analytical tools, including Excel-based graphing and CO₂ decomposition methods, to evaluate energy and climate data.
  • Communicate effectively in writing, using appropriate academic conventions and data visualizations.
  • Critically assess the complexity of climate change and energy transitions, integrating historical, technological, and policy perspectives.
Examination
Climate Crises and Energy Transitions ¿ Past and Present:
Exam ECTS 7.5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer, Course and exam timetable is/will be available on https:/​/​www.cbs.dk/​uddannelse/​international-summer-university-programme-isup/​courses-and-exams
Aids Closed book: no aids
However, at all written sit-in exams the student has access to the basic IT application package (Microsoft Office365 (minus Excel), document camera and paper, 7-zip file manager, Adobe Reader DC, PDF24, Texlive, VLC player, Windows Media Player – ATTENTION no sound allowed), and the student is allowed to bring simple writing and drawing utensils (non-digital). PLEASE NOTE: Students are not allowed to communicate with others during the exam.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
n/a
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course explores the historical and contemporary interrelations between climate change and energy transitions. It examines how societies have responded to energy constraints and climate variability in the past, and how these experiences inform current debates on sustainable energy futures. Topics include:

  • The role of fossil fuels in industrialization and climate change
  • Historical climate impacts during the Little Ice Age
  • Current challenges in sustainable energy transitions
  • EU climate policy instruments (ETS, CBAM)
  • Land use limitations and local resistance to renewable energy projects
  • Debates between technology optimism and degrowth
  • Outsourcing and trade-related climate impacts
  • The ICT revolution and geopolitical energy crises

The course combines lectures and workshops. Lectures introduce key concepts and theories, while workshops focus on data analysis, group exercises, and student presentations. Students are expected to bring laptops for hands-on activities.
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
Research-like activities
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
This course employs a pedagogical framework designed to support students in developing historical insight, analytical skills, and critical reflection on climate change and energy transitions. The teaching methods are carefully aligned with the intended learning outcomes.

The course combines lectures and workshops. Lectures, which constitute the core of the course, enable students to grasp key concepts and theories and to acquire a comprehensive understanding of historical processes, including:

• The historical role of fossil fuels in industrialization and global climate change
• Societal responses to climate variability, such as during the Little Ice Age
• The evolution of EU climate policy, including the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• Contemporary challenges in renewable energy transitions, including land use conflicts and local resistance
• The influence of technological revolutions, such as the ICT revolution, on energy systems and geopolitics.

These topics are supported by structured readings that deepen both theoretical and empirical understanding, enabling students to engage critically with current debates and historical developments.

The workshops are designed to help students achieve learning outcomes related to data analysis, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and reflective thinking. Students are expected to bring laptops for hands-on activities.
Feedback during the teaching period
Formative assessment and feedback will be embedded within session exercises. This interactive approach is designed to consolidate understanding and develop practical skills, ensuring that students are well prepared for the summative assessments.
Student workload
Precourse activity 20 hours
Class room attendance 38 hours
Preparation 144 hours
Examination 4 hours
Further Information

3-week course cannot be combined with other courses.


Precourse activity:

The course coordinator and/or instrucotr uploads Precourse activity on Canvas at the end of May.

It is expected that students participate as it will be included in the final exam, but the assignment is without independent assessment and grading.

 


 
Expected literature

Lieberman, B. and Gordon, E., Climate Change in Human History: Prehistory to the present, Bloombury 2022 (Second edition)

 

Shukla, Priyadarshi R., et al. "Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change." Contribution of working group III to the sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2022), online publication.

 

Supplementary readings (examples):

Gales, B., Kander, A., Malanima, P., & Rubio, M. (2007). North versus South: Energy transition and energy intensity in Europe over 200 years. European Review of Economic History, 11(2), 219-253.

 

Magacho, G., Espagne, E., & Godin, A. (2024). Impacts of the CBAM on EU trade partners: consequences for developing countries. Climate Policy, 24(2), 243-259.

 

Rubio, M. M., & Folchi, M. (2012). Will small energy consumers be faster in transition? Evidence from the early shift from coal to oil in Latin America. Energy Policy, 50, 50-61.
Last updated on 25/11/2025