Climate policy through the MPP

I decided to do the Master of Public Policy with a desire to deepen my expertise in climate policy. 

Before accepting my offer, I spoke to several MPP alumni to find out what scope the course provided to focus on climate policy. Now that I have reached the end of my MPP year, I thought it would be useful to share some of the advice I received and the opportunities I’ve found to deepen my knowledge in this area.

Core modules

The MPP is structured around six core modules: Policy Challenge I, Economics, Foundations, Politics, Law, and Evidence. While none of these classes are solely dedicated to climate policy, climate issues are threaded through the curriculum. For example, in Policy Challenge 1, we analysed a case study on Christiana Figures’ transformative leadership in the lead-up to the signing of the Paris Agreement. In Economics, we had the option to take classes on Energy Markets and Environmental Economics. In Politics, we explored how different social movements have advanced and hindered climate action.

Option modules

In addition to core modules, MPP students take two option modules. The programme offers around 20 courses. The option modules are a great way to deepen your learning in specific policy areas. I chose to take Financing the Global Response to Climate Change with Rachel Kyte and China and the World Economy, with Yeling Tan. I also audited Energy with Dieter Helm. Options like New Economic Thinking with Erik Beinhocker and Governing the Global Economy with Emily Jones also included climate-focused sessions. While courses change annually, the MPP offers at least two or three climate-related options every year.

Policy Challenge II

Policy Challenge II is the standout final module in the MPP. For the last couple of years, MPPs have had the chance to participate in simulated COP29 negotiation. Each of us were given a country or non-state actor to represent in the negotiations. I played the role of the UNFCCC Executive Secretary - tasked with the role of supporting the COP29 President in delivering the conference and ensuring we achieved an agreement. Policy Challenge II was one of the best parts of the MPP. The simulation provided real insight into the difficulties of bringing countries together to advance climate action.

The summer project

After the taught component of the MPP, MPP students embark on their summer projects. These projects are an opportunity to gain applied experience in a policy area of your choice. I did my summer project at the Green Climate Fund – an international organisation and the world’s largest Climate Fund. There are so many opportunities to explore the policy work of specific organisations through the summer project. Other MPPs did their projects with the SDG Impact Lab, the BSG’s own Net Zero Policy and Regulation Hub, the World Bank, Breakthrough Energy, the Transition Planning Taskforce, and several government Ministries (to name but a few).

Clusters

This past year, the BSG introduced three policy ‘clusters’ to bring students and faculty with shared interests together. We had clusters for social policy, technology and sustainability. The sustainability cluster hosted bi-weekly sessions on just energy transitions, careers in sustainability, law and sustainability. The cluster sessions provided a chance to learn from practitioners and dive into specific topics.

Your fellow students

The most valuable part of the course is the chance to engage with other MPPs. For several years, the self-organised ‘Climate Warriors’ group has brought MPPs interested in climate issues together. This year, we used the group to share information on climate events happening around Oxford. In previous years, MPPs in the group conducted a climate audit of the MPP to assess how well climate was integrated into the curriculum.

Oxford organisations and events

If you’re looking for even more climate learning, there are many opportunities to do so outside the BSG. The School of Geography and the Environment, the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, the Department of International Development, the Oxford Martin School, and the Saïd Business School also teach on climate topics. The Oxford Climate Society runs a termly ‘School of Climate Change’ course. Programmes like Oxford Net Zero, and the Oxford Energy Network regularly organise events open to all students. You can also get involved in your college’s Green Impact team, or explore the university’s broader sustainability initiatives.

Final thoughts

While the MPP is not primarily focused on sustainability or climate policy, the course offers opportunities to think holistically about how sustainability challenges interact with broader social and economic policy issues. Many of these opportunities are not mandatory, so if you’re interested in exploring this (or any other policy area) in-depth, I’d encourage you to carve your path through the MPP.

Want to know more?

If you’d like to find out more about doing the MPP with a climate focus, Steph would be happy to chat. You can reach her via email or on LinkedIn.