2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2155 Towards a Zero Carbon Future

20 Credits Class Size: 52

Module manager: Radhika Borde
Email: r.borde@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides students with residential fieldtrip at the Centre for Alternative Technology to enable them to learn about the challenges and opportunities of moving towards a zero carbon future. CAT is an educational charity dedicated to researching and communicating positive solutions for environmental change. Founded in 1973 on a disused slate quarry in Mid Wales, CAT began life as an off-grid community that acted as a test-bed for experimenting with alternative types of technology in response to the 1970s oil crisis and a growing concern about the environmental impact of fossil fuels. CAT has a long history of research and innovation: from early experiments with wind power that helped with the development of modern wind turbines, to the creation of prototypes of solar-powered vaccine fridges that are now saving lives across the world, new ways of producing compost and treating waste, innovative low-carbon building materials and methods, and various types of renewable heat (some more successful than others!). Since 2007, CAT has been developing a model for how the UK could reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions using technology available today. During the four day fieldtrip, CAT tutors will provide students with an overview of this model through a hands on engagement with the technologies available and how they work across the built environment, transport systems, agriculture, production, and energy.

Objectives

Through a residential fieldtrip to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), the key aims of this module are to provide students with:
• an introduction to the major challenges facing Britain of drastically and rapidly reducing carbon emissions to address the climate emergency;
• an understanding of the complex interconnections between decarbonisation, fossil fuels, energy security, and global equity;
• a critical exploration of how Britain can achieve the government’s target of 80% less carbon emissions by 2050 through learning more about available technologies and skills via field experience;
• an opportunity to reflect with expert practitioners on what Britain will be like in a zero carbon future and how this can be achieved for different sectors such as ‘the built environment’, ‘transport’, ‘agriculture’, ‘land use’, ‘energy’ and ‘goods’;
• an ability to debate and develop their own vision of a sustainable future;
• opportunities to develop collective working, critical thinking, decision making and communication skills.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
On completion of the module, the student should have acquired:

1. An understanding of the key global environmental, energy, and equity challenges from climate change and a zero carbon future.

2. An appreciation of the technological and policy solutions for reducing Britain’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 and how they are being developed in different sectors of society and economy.

3. An insight into what a zero carbon future means for Britain in terms of industry, residential settlements, and everyday life.

4. An ability to critically explore, debate, reflect and develop their own vision of a sustainable future based on learning about the science, technology and land use implications of climate change and decarbonisation.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Academic: An ability to critically explore, debate, reflect and develop their own vision of a sustainable future based on learning about the science, technology and land use implications of climate change and decarbonisation.

2. Sustainability: An understanding of the key global environmental, energy, and equity challenges from climate change and a zero carbon future.

3. Work-Ready: An appreciation of the technological and policy solutions for reducing Britain’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 and how they are being developed in different sectors of society and economy.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

Teaching Methods

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive formative feedback as follows:1. During the fieldtrip when they have the opportunity to present their ideas, reflections, analyses and proposals on the feasibility and desirability of getting to a zero carbon future at a CAT workshop. These presentations – non-assessed – and the formative feedback will form the basis of their assessed project.2. Formative feedback on their assessed project (1 x 2500 words).

Methods of Assessment

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 5/22/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team