Practical example - Combating deforestation

Loading...

From the course by University of Geneva

International Organizations Management

6 ratings

University of Geneva

International Organizations Management

6 ratings

This course provides an introduction to International Organizations and the United Nations, and explores how business and management tools can be applied in these settings to achieve better, more effective results. With a focus on cross-sector partnerships in a changing world, the course offers you insights into the inner workings of international organizations and the challenges they face today. It will introduce you to effective, state-of-the art management tools and principles to help you lead change in this world – taught by senior staff of international organizations themselves. This is an introductory course offered by the International Organizations MBA (IO-MBA) of the University of Geneva, an executive program for change-makers in international organizations, NGOs and social ventures.

From the lesson

The Shifting Context for International Organizations

In our second module, we will turn to the practice of international relations to understand how states engage with each other and other actors on the global stage. Today, international relations are about much more than the traditional study of states, security and power. From growing anti-trade sentiments, to the impact of climate change, to cyber-security in a hyper-connected world, most of the security threats of the 21st century will require greater cooperation across borders and collective action from governments, private sector and civil society. These shifts raise important questions for the future functioning of international organizations.

Global efforts to address climate change6:18

Practical example - Combating deforestation3:30

Meet the Instructors

Gilbert Probst
Professor, Organization and Management
Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences
Sebastian Buckup
Visiting professor
International Organizations MBA
Bruce Jenks
Visiting professor
International Organizations MBA
Stephan Mergenthaler
Visiting professor
International Organizations MBA
Cassandra Quintanilla
Teaching and research assistant
International Organizations MBA
Lea Stadtler
Research Fellow
Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences
Claudia Gonzalez Romo
Visiting professor
International Organizations MBA
Julian Fleet
Visiting professor
International Organizations MBA
Tina Ambos
Academic Director of the International Organizations MBA
Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences

The good news is that there are new ways to increase levels of participation,

ambition and compliance in climate negotiations.

Let's take an example.

Deforestation accounts for 11 percent of

all greenhouse gases more than the entire transport sector.

Why?

Through photosynthesis, trees convert carbon dioxide to oxygen.

As they are cut down,

the conversion process slows building more residual carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Forests also act as carbon sinks as

decomposing trees that have captured carbon dioxide return it to the soil.

When slash and burn practices are employed,

the carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere.

In 2012, the Tropical Forest Alliance was announced.

The alliance is a partnership between international institutions,

consumer goods companies, producers, governments and NGOs,

to eliminate deforestation from the production

of agricultural commodities such as palm oil,

soy, paper and beef by no later than 2020.

More than 400 companies have made over 700 pledges to

reduce their impacts on forests with support from many heads of state.

By broadening participation, the burden doesn't just lie with states to make change.

Now let's look at the question of ambition.

In 2016, seven African governments agreed to protect

over 70 percent of Africa's tropical forests from unsustainable palm oil development.

The equivalent of 13 percent of the world's total forests.

This wouldn't have happened if industry had not been brought to

the table to show their interest in sourcing sustainable palm oil,

and if civil society groups hadn't rallied for change.

The Tropical Forest Alliance and its partners brought state actors together with

the private sector and civil society and enabled ministers to raise their ambition level.

A similar dynamic was successfully used in Paris.

On the issue of compliance,

these efforts are complemented by

the Global Forest Watch which uses satellite technology,

open data and crowdsourcing to guarantee

access to timely and reliable information about forests.

In 2017, they launched a near real time application that tracks deforestation daily.

So we have a cost effective mechanism for

monitoring damage and holding companies to account.

Business runs the risk of consumer boycotts on

their products if they're associated with deforestation.

Climate change is a complex problem that requires

multifaceted solutions in an increasingly connected world.

With emerging technologies that provide a new form of

radical real time transparency will become

increasingly aware of the impact humanity has on the planet.

Although the network approaches I've mentioned are more difficult to

setup and more messy in their implementation,

they hold the keys to greater participation ambition and compliance.

Explore our Catalog

Join for free and get personalized recommendations, updates and offers.

Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.

© 2018 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play