Name: Abarna Raj

Short Bio:
Abarna is an Environmental Manager at Leighton Holdings, Australia’s largest Construction Contractor Mining operation. Previously, Abarna was a manager at PwC’s Climate Change practice in Sydney where as a practising lawyer holding degrees in law and finance, Abarna advised clients on the risks and opportunities presented by the changing environmental and climate change landscape.

Abarna has also been involved in a range of climate change risk and opportunity assessments, economic & financial modelling for a low carbon economy, provided energy efficiency and carbon policy advice and undertaken carbon & sustainability accounting/assurance and education/training engagements.

Abarna has advised numerous clients over a range of industries sectors including banking and finance, infrastructure, government, professional services, resources, mining, technology, telecommunications, transport and logistics and utilities.

Prior to joining the Environmental field, Abarna consulted in a range of projects which
involved providing strategic advice and developing governance and compliance
frameworks for the financial services sector.

Abarna is also involved with climate change development and is currently consulting to Caritas, one of Australia largest Not for Profit organisations.

Email: abarna.raj@leighton.com.au

Phone: 0410 523 342

Opening intensive:
Thursday 27th & Friday 28th March 2014
9am-6pm
Masonic Hall B03 Seminar Room West

Closing intensive:
Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd May 2014
9am-6pm
Masonic Hall B03 Seminar Room West

1	Develop an understanding of internationally recognised standards & frameworks of climate change.
2	Identify and apply a framework of analysis over a range of climate change issues. This includes; the science, policy/legislation, carbon markets and organisational risks and opportunities.
3	Work independently (through individual assignment) and cooperatively (through group discussion and assignment) to analyse current climate change policies and identify alternative pathways for Australia to mitigate its emissions.
4	Demonstrate a willingness to listen and communicate to class members throughout all class discussions and group presentations.
5	Demonstrate an ability to use internet for in depth research and Microsoft applications to present complex theoretical concepts.
6	Demonstrate an ability to contribute relevant information from knowledge gained outside the course to in class discussion.
7	Commitment to applying knowledge learnt throughout the course outside the classroom.
8	Commitment to respecting all class members, their views and their cultural backgrounds. Demonstration of upholding strong ethical values.

The University’s preferred textbook supplier is Unibooks: http://www.unibooks.com.au/ 

Text book:
No textbook required

http://unfccc.int/2860.php - UNFCCC website

http://www.v-c-s.org/ - Voluntary Carbon Standard

http://www.csiro.au/ - CSIRO

http://www.climatechange.gov.au - DCC

http://www.garnautreview.org.au/ - Garnaut Climate Change review

http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/clean-energy-future/our-plan/ - Labour Government policy

Library Resources
The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. The University Library web page is: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/
From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.

MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the University. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study (see: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au)

This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as intensives.

As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self directed study).

This is a draft schedule and session dates are a guide only. The timetable may be changed during the course delivery if necessary.

Intensive	Content	Readings	Activities
1	The science and emission profiles	No pre reading required	• Case study • Breakout • Discussion
	Drivers for business action	No pre reading required	• Case study • Breakout • Discussion
2	Climate change projects: Practical approach	No pre reading required	• Case study • Breakout • Discussion
	International and domestic climate change policy	No pre reading required	• Case study • Breakout • Discussion
3	Exploring the carbon price	No pre reading required	• Case study • Breakout • Discussion
	Financial market forces and climate change	No pre reading required	• Case study • Breakout • Discussion
4	Stakeholder forces and climate change	No pre reading required	• Case study • Breakout • Discussion
	Carbon Risk & Opportunity	No pre reading required	• Case study • Discussion

None

An overview of the course assessment appears in the following Table. Details appear in the following section:

Assessment No.	Form of Assessment/Collaborative Task	Length (in word count)	Weighting	Due Date	Outcomes being assessed
1	Individual assignment 1	3000 words	30%	16/04/14	1,3,5,6
2	Ongoing participation	N/A	10%	Ongoing	4,7,8
3	Group assignment	10-15 min presentation	25%	01/05/14	2,3,5,6
4	Individual assignment 2	3500 words	35%	26/05/14	2,3,5,6
	Total		100%

Students must complete all course assessment requirements and must attend lectures to be eligible to pass the course.

Course results are subject to moderation by the ECIC Board of Examiners

 Assessment 1: Individual assignment 1
Weighting: 30%
Due Dates: 16 April 2014
Submission Details: Online through MyUni

Task:
You are an advisor to Australia for its next round of climate change negotiations.
Review Australia’s current climate change policy landscape and provide recommendations.

Based on these recommendations, formulate Australia’s stance on the KEY issues facing international climate change negotiations.

Scope:
This assignment will assess your understanding of the course topic presented over days 1 and 2.

Length and Presentation:
Minimum 3000 words

Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
· Depth of analysis and research
· Accuracy of arguments proposed
· Ability to effectively answer the question
· Extent to which topics from Day 1 and Day 2 are considered in the response

Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 1,3,5,6





Assessment 2: Ongoing participation
Weighting: 10%
Due Dates: Ongoing
Submission Details: In class

Task:
All students will be expected to participate in class discussion and activities. Discussion is no t limited to what is in the course materials and ideally will demonstrate the participants initiative to source additional relevant papers, articles, texts and similar.

Scope:
This will assess your understanding and interpretation of the materials presented throughout the course

Length and Presentation:
Ongoing participation in class

Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
· Participation in class discussions
· Participations in breakouts and case studies
· Depth of insight and reasoning shown in contributions
· Reference to literature, concepts and principles taught in the course
· Reference to real-life examples, current affairs, events or issues observed
· Ability to offer and support arguments, rather than merely stating opinions
· Interactions with fellow participants and lecturer.
· Your ability to initiate discussion.

Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 4,7,8



Assessment 3: Group assignment
Weighting: 25%
Due Dates: 1st May 2014
Submission Details: Presented in class

Task:
Select a country and discuss;
· its emissions profile and key impacts of climate change
· current policy landscape,
· current climate change position in the international negotiations
· recommendations to overcome key challenges it faces internationally and domestically

Scope:
This assignment will assess your understanding of the course topic presented over days 1 and 2.

Length and Presentation:
10 – 15 minute presentation

Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
· Depth of analysis and research
· Accuracy of arguments proposed
· Ability to effectively answer the question
· Presentation style
· Incorporation of contribution by all team members
· Extent to which topics from Day 1 and Day 2 are considered in the response

Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 2,3,5,6
Assessment 4: Individual assignment 2
Weighting: 35%
Due Dates: 26th May 2014
Submission Details: Online through MyUni

Task:
Select an Organisation
· What are the key drivers for the organisation’s climate change disclosure?
· How effective is the organisation in disclosing climate change information (from strategy to performance) to meet stakeholder expectations?
· How does the company’s disclosure compare to its peers
· Has the company linked climate change issues to financial value? Can you recommend metrics that would allow for this link to be established?
· Does external research suggest any material issues that the company hasn’t disclosed?
· What recommendations would you make to improve the company’s climate change disclosure?
· Develop a business case for increasing this disclosure to the company Board (consider companies investors)

Scope:
This assignment will assess your understanding of all the materials taught through the entire course as well as public research undertaken on the topic areas relating to the assignment.

Length and Presentation:
Minimum 3500 words

Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
· Depth of analysis and research
· Accuracy of arguments proposed
· Ability to effectively answer the question
· Extent to which topics from Day 3 and Day 4 are considered in the response

Learning objectives with this assessment (refer to section 2.1): 2,3,5,6

All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.

Please refer to step by step instructions: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/files/AssignmentStudentSubmission.pdf 

There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:

• Assignment Submission: Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor but should be lodged via the MyUni Course site. Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
• Cover Sheet: Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work. Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
• Backup Copy of Assignments: You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing. Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
• Extensions of Time: Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer. Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date. Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
• Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade. Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late. Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.