Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

Time slot: 01.10.-19.11.2026, each Thursday from 6 pm and Thursday, 26.11.2026, from 6 pm and intensive training week (= Blockwoche) 14.12.-16.12.2026

FHV presence (8 course units as well as 24 units for the interactive World Climate Game), online presence (4 course units) and asynchronous learning units (24) 

Course language: English

Course occupancy: Minimum 9 persons / maximum 21 persons

Course costs: None

Sustainability:

• SDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• SDG 13 - Climate action
• SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production

FHV Future Skills: Foster Critical Thinking, Create Environmental & Sustainable Awareness, Encourage Collaboration & Cooperation

Registration: From 1 to 10 June 2026 in A5 under ‘Course selection’. If a late booking is required, please contact sabine.frick@fhv.at.

The course Climate Change Essentials offers a multidisciplinary and practice-oriented introduction to the scientific, economic, and societal dimensions of anthropogenic climate change. It covers five key thematic areas:

1. the scientific foundations of climate change and the concept of planetary boundaries;
2. the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and their integration into corporate strategies;
3. the current state of climate impact research, including regional and sector-specific consequences; 
4. the principles, drivers, and implementation of decarbonisation strategies for businesses and society and
5. the application of knowledge through simulation games and case-based exercises, where students develop decarbonisation pathways for selected enterprises.

• Students understand the concept of planetary boundaries, are familiar with its scientific foundations, and are able to analyse and plan business production processes within these boundaries. 
• They possess sound knowledge of the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and can assess their relevance for corporate action in the context of climate change. 
• Students are familiar with the current state of climate impact research and can clearly explain the specific consequences of climate change for the environment, society, and the economy. 
• They understand the key concepts and fields of action related to decarbonisation and can explain their relevance across various economic sectors. 
• They are capable of developing and critically evaluating practical decarbonisation strategies for existing companies. 

• lectures, readings, and quizzes on the digital learning platform
• group discussions, and case-based exercises on the World Climate Game

The final grade for this course is based on the following components: 

Quiz (30 %)

Assessment of subject knowledge through an online quiz covering the core content of the course.

Active Participation in Discussion Rounds (30 %)

Regular and thoughtful contributions to the moderated discussions within the blended learning format are expected and evaluated. 

Final Report (40 %)

Submission of a written report analysing a specific case study related to corporate decarbonisation, applying the concepts and methods discussed in the course. 

The course content is aligned with the United Nations Agenda 2030 and directly contributes to the following SDGs: 

• SDG 13 - Climate Action: Core focus ond understanding climate science, climate impacts, and practical mitigation strategies
• SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Emphasis on sustainable industrial transformation and innovation in business models
• SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Encourages the redesign of value chains within planetary boundaries. 

The course content is aligned with the FHV Future Skills and directly contributes: 

• Foster Critical Thinking: Encourage students to ask questions, analyse information, and evaluate evidence
• Create Environmental & Sustainable Awareness: Include discussions and projects relates to sustainability, environmental challenges, and responsible resource management
• Encourage Collaboration & Cooperation: Assignment of group projects to develop cooperation and collaboration skills

• Understanding Climate Change, Lesch H., Scorza C., Theis-Bröhl K., Springer, 2023
• Climate Change Science, Ting D., Stagner J.A., Elsevier, 2021
• Global Climate Change, Kitchen D., Routledge Handbooks, 2024

The course is conducted in a blended learning format combining two sessions on Thursday at the campus (begin and end of the course), one online session and six asynchronous learning units as well as three on-campus days (Monday to Wednesday). 

The six asynchronous online units are offered via the digital learning platform and provide high temporal flexibility for students to engage with lectures, readings, and quizzes at their own pace. 

These self-directed units are complemented by interactive on-campus sessions (Monday to Wednesday) featuring the World Climate Game, group discussions, and case-based exercises. This hybrid structure ensures both individual knowledge acquisition and collaborative, experiential learning.