Political Science
Elective
The Politics of Sustainability: Policies & Governance
Course Description
Spain presents a fascinating case study in the politics of sustainability, characterized by its distinctive multi-level governance system, regional autonomies, and position within European Union environmental frameworks. This course delves into the political aspects of sustainability in Spain, examining how local, regional, and national governments are creating policies to address climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable development. How does Spain's quasi-federal system and strong regional identities shape environmental policy implementation? What role does Spain play in advancing the European Union's sustainability agenda? How do political, cultural, and economic factors influence Spain's approach to environmental challenges?
Using Barcelona and Catalonia as primary case studies within the broader Spanish context, students will examine Spain's role in the European Union's Green Deal and its influence on global environmental policies. Through lectures, field visits to governmental bodies and environmental organizations, and project work, students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications of sustainable politics in Spain, developing their analytical, research, and critical thinking skills while preparing themselves to engage with complex environmental governance issues.
Aligned with 5 key UN Sustainable Development Goals
Spain's multi-level governance offers a unique lens on environmental policy. The course most directly engages SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) via environmental justice, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
5 Key SDGs Addressed
Key Topics
European Union's sustainability agenda
Government policies on climate change, renewable energy, and carbon emissions
Approaches to environmental justice and social equity
Green public procurement and government-led sustainability projects
The intersection of politics and sustainability in local regions (e.g., Catalunya's green initiatives)
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1
Identify and explain key sustainability governance frameworks, their historical context in Spain, and the evolution of environmental policy at local, regional, national, and EU levels.
Assessment: Quiz on sustainability governance frameworks and history.
2
Evaluate the interconnectedness of political, economic, social, and environmental factors in Spanish sustainability governance, analyzing how policy interventions in one sector impact others.
Assessment: Case study analyzing interdependencies of governance systems in the Spanish sustainability context.
3
Assess the effectiveness of current sustainability policies and initiatives at different governance levels in Spain, identifying strengths, shortcomings, challenges, and areas for improvement.
Assessment: Research paper critically evaluating a sustainability policy or initiative in Spain.
4
Design innovative policy approaches that address sustainability challenges, considering political, institutional, social, and environmental factors within the Spanish context.
Assessment: Group project proposing a policy solution to a sustainability challenge in Spain.
5
Formulate a compelling advocacy strategy for advancing sustainability policy, utilizing stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and policy frameworks relevant to the Spanish political context.
Assessment: Presentation and written proposal for an advocacy campaign targeting a specific sustainability policy in Spain.
Course Format and Assessment Methods
20%
Class Discussions and Debates
Demonstrated engagement with assigned readings. Thoughtful contributions to class and Canvas discussions.
All LOs
10%
Quiz
Demonstrated understanding of sustainability governance frameworks and policy history.
LO 1
20%
Research Paper
A 10–12-page critical analysis of a sustainability policy or initiative in Spain. Though not required, comparison with non-Spanish approaches is welcome.
LO 3
10%
Case Study
A 3-page analysis of interdependencies of governance systems in the Spanish sustainability context.
LO 2
20%
Field Studies
Using class field visits to Spanish government institutions, NGOs, and sustainability initiatives, identify and analyze two examples (10% each) of how sustainability governance theory intersects with real-world practices.
LO 3
20%
Group Project and Presentation
Collaborative research on a sustainability policy challenge, solutions, and innovations (10%), and compelling articulation of findings with practical, action-oriented recommendations (10%).
LO 4, 5
Course Outline
1
Foundations of Sustainability Politics and GovernanceCore principles, history, and frameworks of sustainability governance, with specific focus on Spain's evolution from early environmental movements to modern sustainability politics.
2
Spain's Multi-level Governance System and Environmental PolicyOverview of Spain's quasi-federal governance system, including national, autonomous community, provincial, and local institutions, and how this structure shapes environmental policy development and implementation.
3
The European Union Context: Spain and the European Green DealExamination of Spain's role in EU environmental policymaking, with particular attention to the European Green Deal, implementation challenges, and Spain's contributions to EU sustainability initiatives.
4
Climate Change Policy in SpainAnalysis of Spain's climate policy framework, including the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, emissions reduction strategies, carbon pricing mechanisms, and climate adaptation initiatives at various governance levels.
5
Energy Transition Politics: From Fossil Fuels to RenewablesExploration of Spain's energy transition politics, examining the conflicts, coalitions, and policy tools shaping the country's ambitious shift toward renewable energy leadership in solar and wind power.
6
Environmental Justice and Social Equity in Spanish Environmental PolicyCritical analysis of how environmental justice and social equity considerations are addressed in Spanish environmental policy, examining regional disparities, inclusion mechanisms, and distributional impacts.
7
Catalonia's Environmental Politics and GovernanceExamination of Catalonia's distinctive approach to environmental governance, exploring how regional identity, autonomy, and political dynamics influence sustainability policies and initiatives.
8
Comparative Regional Environmental Governance in SpainComparative analysis of environmental governance across Spanish autonomous communities, with case studies of innovative regional sustainability initiatives in areas such as the Basque Country, Andalusia, and Valencia.
9
Barcelona's Urban Sustainability PoliticsExploration of Barcelona's leadership in urban sustainability initiatives, examining the city's climate action plan, mobility strategies, green infrastructure, and citizen engagement approaches.
10
Green Public Procurement and Sustainable Public AdministrationAnalysis of Spain's approach to green public procurement and sustainable public administration practices, examining how government operations are being transformed to reduce environmental impacts.
11
Water Politics and Governance in SpainExamination of water resource management and governance in Spain, focusing on the political dimensions of drought management, river basin authorities, water transfers, and conflicts between regions and sectors.
12
Coastal and Marine Environmental PoliticsAnalysis of governance approaches to sustainability in Spain's extensive coastal and marine environments, including coastal management, marine protected areas, and Blue Economy initiatives.
13
Rural Sustainability and Agricultural PoliticsExploration of the political dimensions of rural sustainability in Spain, examining agricultural policies, land use planning, depopulation challenges, and initiatives to revitalize rural communities.
14
Future Directions: Innovation and Challenges in Spanish Sustainability PoliticsSynthesis of key themes and exploration of emerging trends in Spanish sustainability politics, examining persistent challenges and promising innovations in environmental governance.
Field Visits and Guest Speakers
Generalitat de Catalunya environmental departments and sustainability offices
Barcelona City Council's sustainability and climate action initiatives
Environmental NGOs such as Ecologistas en Acción, SEO/BirdLife, or Greenpeace Spain
Renewable energy facilities and sustainable development projects in Catalonia
Urban sustainability initiatives in Barcelona
Spanish research institutions focused on environmental policy and climate change
Businesses implementing circular economy and sustainability initiatives
Community-led environmental justice campaigns in Barcelona's neighborhoods
Using the city as a classroom is an integral element of education abroad, and this course will include several field visits, as well as assignments that prompt students to engage actively with their host context. Field visits vary across terms, but examples include those listed above.
Readings & Resources
Books
Films and Recordings
Articles and Reports
Aguilar Fernández, Susana. 2021. Política Ambiental en España: Transición Ecológica en un Estado Descentralizado. Madrid: Catarata.
Alonso, Luis Enrique, Carlos J. Fernández Rodríguez, and Rafael Ibáñez Rojo. 2020. Estudios Sociales sobre el Consumo. Madrid: Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas.
Carpintero, Óscar, ed. 2015. El Metabolismo Económico Regional Español. Madrid: FUHEM Ecosocial.
Font, Nuria, and Joan Subirats. 2010. Local Environmental Policies in Spain: The Rise of Urban Sustainability. Barcelona: ICPS.
Jordi, Miquel, and Santiago Gorostiza. 2022. Ecologismo y Justicia Social en Barcelona. Barcelona: Icaria.
López, Isidro, and Emmanuel Rodríguez. 2020. Fin de Ciclo: Financiarización, Territorio y Sociedad de Propietarios en la Onda Larga del Capitalismo Hispano. Madrid: Traficantes de Sueños.
Meadowcroft, James, et al., eds. 2019. What Next for Sustainable Development? Our Common Future at Thirty. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Sachs, Jeffrey D. 2015. The Age of Sustainable Development. New York: Columbia University Press.
Subirats, Joan, and Ricard Gomà. 2018. Cambio de Época y de Políticas Públicas en España. Barcelona: Arpa Editores.
Alvarez, Mercedes. 2020. El Año del Descubrimiento. Documentary exploring socioeconomic transformation in Spain.
Balaguer, Jordi. 2022. Transición Ecológica: El Caso Español. Documentary.
European Commission. 2023. The European Green Deal: Spain's Journey. Video.
Jordi, Évole. 2021. Salvados: Crisis Climática en España. La Sexta Television Documentary.
Sachs, Jeffrey. 2021. SDG Implementation: The Politics of Change. TEDx Talk.
Aguilar-Fernández, Susana, and Javier Valencia-Sáiz. 2022. "Climate Governance in Spain: Challenges for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement." Environmental Politics 31 (3): 451-473.
Bono, Ferran, and Santiago Gorostiza. 2021. "Environmental Justice Conflicts in Barcelona: Community Mobilization and Green Infrastructure Planning." Environmental Justice 14 (4): 294-305.
Cerrillo Vidal, José Antonio, and Ernesto Ganuza Fernández. 2020. "Environmental Conflicts and Social Mobilization in Spain: A Multi-Scale Analysis." Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning 22 (2): 227-241.
De Cózar-Escalante, José Manuel. 2021. "Sustainability Transitions in Spain: A Multi-Level Perspective." Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 38: 275-289.
Del Moral Ituarte, Leandro, and Belén Pedregal Mateos. 2022. "Water Governance Tensions in Spain: Ecological Flows, Territorial Power and Socioeconomic Impacts." Water International 47 (3): 371-393.
Font, Nuria, and Joan Subirats. 2019. "Multi-level Climate Governance in Spain: Swimming Against the Tide?" South European Society and Politics 24 (2): 193-216.
March, Hug, and David Saurí. 2023. "Urban Political Ecology of Climate Change Adaptation in Mediterranean Cities: The Case of Barcelona." Urban Studies 60 (2): 325-343.
Zografos, Christos, et al. 2020. "The Everyday Politics of Urban Transformational Adaptation: Struggles for Authority and the Barcelona Superblock Project." Cities 99: 102613.
Ajuntament de Barcelona. 2022. Pla Clima Barcelona 2018-2030.
European Commission. 2019. The European Green Deal.
Generalitat de Catalunya. 2023. Estratègia Catalana d'Adaptació al Canvi Climàtic 2021-2030.
Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica. 2023. Plan Nacional Integrado de Energía y Clima 2021-2030.
Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica. 2022. Estrategia Española de Desarrollo Sostenible 2030.
Observatorio de la Sostenibilidad en España. 2023. Sostenibilidad en España: Informe Anual.
United Nations. 2015. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.