The contemporary world faces an unprecedented environmental challenge. Whether we consider global problems, such as climate change or ozone depletion, or more regional and local problems, such as loss of species, biodiversity and livelihoods, effective policy responses are urgently sought. Yet the global reach of this environmental challenge and the complexity of the causes, effects and potential solutions means that policy responses must take place within an international context. Environmental problems cannot be viewed in isolation, as they are deeply entwined with issues of development, international justice and personal responsibility.
The module is divided into the following six blocks of study, each of which lasts three weeks. Your study each week will include a book chapter as a core component, accompanied by a range of online videos, audio programmes and web-based interactive resources.
Block 1: Climate change
This introductory block uses climate change, one of the biggest and most complex of today’s environmental problems, to help give you an overview of many of the issues, problems and ideas that recur throughout the module. You’ll consider a range of perspectives on environmental problems, including the relationship between scientific evidence and policy and the role of economics techniques in environmental policy responses. By the end of the block, you will be equipped with a ‘toolkit’ of concepts and ideas which will enable you to analyse other environmental problems.
Block 2: International environmental politics
You’ll examine the role of the state in international environmental negotiations and ask why, given the urgent nature of international environmental problems, states have found it difficult to agree on stronger and more effective environmental policies. Game theory will be demonstrated when examining international negotiations on environmental problems, namely climate change, ozone depletion and the trades in hazardous wastes and endangered species.
Block 3: Natural resource management
You’ll start by looking at the problem of forest conservation, including some of the key ideas that shape international forest conservation policy, such as policies on illegal logging and timber certification. You’ll also consider biodiversity conservation policy, particularly with respect to the contentious issue of invasive species. Your study of natural resource management will conclude with the issue of sustainable agriculture.
Block 4: Global governance
A full appreciation of environmental policy requires an understanding of the broader structures of governance within which environmental problems are generated and environmental policy is made. You’ll gain an understanding of the role of some major international economic institutions in shaping the structures and processes of global governance, in particular, the global economy. You’ll also explore some of the environmental policy responses of business corporations as well as the role of civil society organisations in lobbying for stronger environmental policies.
Block 5: Sustainable development
As sustainable development is a concept that has informed environmental policymaking since the 1980s, you’ll consider its different meanings and how it can be attained. You will explore some of the policies made to implement the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You’ll also analyse some global and historical processes, namely population growth and the development of engineering technology, and their role in sustainable development policy.
Block 6: Greening the future
By block 6, you’ll have a thorough grasp of some important environmental problems and an appreciation of some of the constraints to more effective policy responses. You’ll prepare for your end-of-module assessment (EMA) by revising some key ideas and concepts from earlier in the module. You’ll also encounter some policy options for a ‘green future’ by looking at the ideas of a green state, a green economy and a green citizen. This involves a mixture of looking back as a student and looking ahead as a citizen.
You’ll develop your skills as an independent learner, equipping you with both the intellectual and key study skills appropriate for OU level 3 study, as well as important communication skills, including how to present written material for different audiences.
This module both evaluates existing policies and considers some possible alternative policies for the future. As such, it is of relevance for anyone whose work addresses, directly or indirectly, environmental problems. This includes business people, civil servants, local authority professionals, town and country planners, teachers and college lecturers, especially those whose work deals with geography, politics and development studies.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
The end-of-module assessment will require you to write a short essay and a policy report.
You'll be provided with two textbooks and have access to a module website which includes:
Environmental policy in an international context starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at OU levels 1 and 2.
They are intended for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject. Environment and society (DD213) and Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206) (now discontinued) would be useful prior modules.
Academic writing, searching the internet, reading academic material, making notes, and thinking critically are all important skills developed in this module, and prior experience in these areas would be an advantage.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Before commencing your studies, you may find it useful to follow coverage of environmental problems in the media.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DD319 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
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