The main objective of the course is to study climate change challenge using quantitative tools. Specifically, the aim is to learn the basic elements of the global energy and climate problems, evaluate the solutions with a focus on the energy sector, and use optimization and simulation models to evaluate the emission reduction and adaptation strategies.

To do so, a discussion of the fundamentals of the global economy, energy, land and climate systems will be complemented by development and applications of mathematical models which integrate these key components. The course will also teach programming languages used in energy-climate planning, such as GAMS, R and Python.

The course uses innovative teaching methods, in particular it is a flipped classroom course: students will form groups of 4/5 students and work on projects to improve one or more numerical integrated models to deal with climate change solutions, either on mitigation or adaptation.

- Knowledge and understanding

The students will learn what is global warming, how it affects the energy and economic systems, and what are the main solution strategies.

- Applying knowledge and understanding

The students will apply the theoretical concepts to numerical models which mimick the energy and climate systems

- Making judgements

The students will analyse the results of the models and will have to interpret then correctly, identifying robust results

-Comunication skills

The students will present in class a project, and thus will need to create a presentation and be able to communicate it properly

-Learning skills

The students will learn how to use computer programs like GAMS, R and Python

- Knowledge of the global climate and energy challenges

- Programming for scientific computing

- Data analysis and visualization

- Presentation skills

The specific list of topics is as follows

Topic 1:Introduction to the global grand challenges: economy, energy, land, water and climate

Topic 2:Fundamentals of climate economics

Topic 3:Introducing the tools of Integrated Assessment Models

Topic 4:Mathematical Modeling and Optimization using the GAMS language

Topic 5:The simplest integrated energy-economy-climate model: the DICE model

Topic 6:Increasing complexities: energy systems, air pollution, land use and water use

Topic 7:Model calibration, diagnostics and validation

Topic 8:The role of technology and its progress towards a low carbon economy

Topic 9:Energy, economic development and green growth

Topic 10:Accounting for Risks and Uncertainty: Monte Carlo and stochastic programming modeling applications

Topic 11:Global Environmental Policies and Agreements: Modeling strategic interactions

Topic 12:Modeling European energy and climate policies

Topic 13:Statistical analysis of the past and projected drivers of the global grand challenges using R Studio

- Keen interest in global climate change and other environmental issues

- Interest in the global energy system

- Good knowledge of programming skills (Matlab, Python, R) 

A pre-test at the beginning of the course will test the students programming skills. A 'pass' vote is required. If a student does not pass, he-she will need to retake it at the end of course together with the written exam (and will need to pass it).

Final grade will be based on two main components. A group project which involves model development and presentation during the course lectures. An additional written exam which will done during the standard exams timeline.

1) model development and group presentation (2/3). This will be done in class during the course, and we will evaluate both the modeling work as well as the communication skills. In particular, the teacher will assess the relvance of the chosen project, the validity of the software development (also looking at the code) as well as the presentation and oral skills.

2) Written exam on the GAMS programming language and answering to questions (1/3). This will test knowledge of programming and of the theoretical concepts. In particular, the students will be assigned an optimization problem and will need to translate it into GAMS (on paper). The theoretical questions will cover the topics examined in class.