Course Syllabus

European Climate Policy: Lessons for Central Asia

🗓 Course Period: 23 – 27 June 2025
🕘 Daily Schedule:

• Session 1: 9:00–10:30

• Session 2: 11:00–12:30

• Session 3: 13:30–15:00

👨‍🏫 Instructor: Dr. Rahat Sabyrbekov
📧 Email: r.sabyrbekov@osce-academy.net
🕐 Office Hours: By appointment

📘 Course Description

This course introduces students to the European Union (EU) climate policy and examines its relevance for Central Asia. The EU's comprehensive climate approach—including emission reductions, adaptation strategies, and transition frameworks—has become a global benchmark.

Meanwhile, Central Asia, rich in fossil fuels, faces complex climate adaptation challenges and governance gaps. Students will:

• Compare both regions

• Gain analytical tools

• Develop communication skills through case studies, discussions, and applied research

A digital learning component via a dedicated Google Site will provide access to curated resources, lectures, and interactive materials.

🎯 Course Objectives

• Understand the EU’s climate policy architecture and global role

• Evaluate instruments such as the Emission Trading System (ETS) and carbon taxes

• Examine governance challenges and opportunities in Central Asia

• Strengthen communication and policy analysis skills

• Foster student-led discussion through digital tools
  
  

🎓 Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe key EU climate policy instruments and targets

• Analyze the European Green Deal and related strategies

• Assess the EU’s leadership in international climate agreements

• Compare EU and Central Asian responses to climate challenges

• Present policy arguments using evidence-based analysis
  
  

📝 Assessment Criteria

• Active Participation: 25%

• Lab Work Presentation (Group): 25%

  • Evaluation: Content mastery, critical thinking, collaboration

• Final Research Paper: 50%

  • Required for OSCE Academy students

  • Due: 14 July 2024 (by email)

  • Length: 1000–1500 words (Calibri, 11pt, 1.5 spacing)
    
    

Suggested Paper Topics:

• Lessons from EU policy applicable to Central Asia

• The most compelling EU policy feature and personal reflection

• EU vs. Central Asia: A cross-regional comparison

• Developing an ETS system in Central Asia

• Carbon pricing challenges in the region

• Climate policy analysis of one or more CA countrie

• Student-chosen topic (with pre-approval)
  
  

💻 Course Resources

• 📄 Google Site

• 📚 LMS Canvas (OSCE Academy only): 

• 📂 Reading Materials & Slides: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1Rydg_nUiLBNid9IQ3NzKJIvHmB4sXnBs
  
  

Full Word version is here 

Post course notes:

Daily quiz
Each day students had 10-minutes and here is the list:
Day 1: link

Day 2: link

Day 3: link