Duration
24h Th, 12h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in environmental bioengineering, professional focus | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
In this module we aim to provide the students with an overview of nature based solutions for climate change mitigation (NbS for CC) with a particular focus on the options when considering the terrestrial sphere, including land use change, agricultural as well as natural ecosystem management. In this context a practical exercise considering a dynamic carbon balance based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology will form a key component of the module, allowing the students to deepen their domain specific knowledge as well as develop some key analytical skills. However, we also like to give the module a wider scope by inviting external speakers highlighting the possibilities in other spheres (e.g. oceans) or more technological based solutions. In addition, the module aims to let the student engage with current policymaking aspects (e.g. 4 / 1000 initiative, GHG emission regulations) as well as associated economic challenges and opportunities (e.g. C-Credit market system). The latter will be done both in a theoretical as in a practical context through organizing a class debate in order to stimulate critical thinking and the development of a wider set of transferable skills.
The table of content of the sessions is:
session 1 General Intro -- Overview different C sequestration strrategies + Trade-offs
Synergies Ecosystem Services (C storage vs. Food security)
session 2 NBS focused: definition potential, co-benefits, limitations, redistribution
across continents and ecosystems
session 3 Soil C sequestration and its monitoring, reporting and verification systems
session 4 Theory LCA for C assessment (static + dynamic)
session 5 Examples of LCA from the literature (Basalt, Biochar, Afforestation, Grazing)
session 6 Conference on Blue Carbon by an external expert
session 7 C crediting Market + case example from the company "Soil Capital"
session 8 Review of a scientific paper, presented by the students
session 9 Practical Session 1 - LCA-based carbon balances
session 10 Practical Session 2 - LCA-based dynamic carbon balances
session 11 Practical session -Case study: Dynamic carbon balance
session 12 Class Debate
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course, the student must be able to identify NbS for CC, their potential in the CC mitigation efforts, their co-benefits but also, the political, social and economic barriers and the risks associated to their implementations. The student will also be able to test some environmental aspects of NbS for CC in the framework of LCA.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basic understanding of Climate Change physics, soil science and C dynamics. Confirmed knowledge in LCA methodology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theoretical courses (15h), practical exercise (computer based, 9h), paper presentation (3h), conferences and class debate (9h)
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Paper presentation, evaluation report from practical exercise and performance during the group debate. Participation to the conferences are mandatory.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Coordinator of the module : Jeroen Meersmans (jeroen.meersmans@uliege.be)