International Development and Environmental Policy

Climate change poses the greatest existential threat to society and the environment today. Development, consumption, and population and economic growth, among other challenges, are placing pressures globally on vital natural resources, such as freshwater and food systems, as well as on energy demands. Inequity in wealth and resource access is growing in many places, while globally, poverty contributes to, and is a consequence of, environmental degradation. 

Policies intended to alleviate poverty and promote economic development must be cognizant of their effects on the environment. Similarly, policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, as well as share, protect, and sustain the environment, must be cognizant of their effects on poverty and economic growth.

At Fletcher, you can train to make a difference to help solve these problems and lead us to a sustainable and equitable future.

Study International Development and Environmental Policy (IDEP) with global leaders, scholars, and practitioners. Contribute to groundbreaking research with Fletcher’s Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, such as with the Climate Policy Lab and the Shared Waters Lab. Dive into interdisciplinary coursework to examine the many dimensions of development policy from both macro and micro perspectives while also learning to address environmental policies relating to energy use, technology choice, water and other natural resources, and climate change from a range of perspectives, including science, economics, politics, diplomacy, law, and engineering.

Melissa McCracken

We excel in thinking about the cross-section between international relations, global affairs, and the environmental space. Complex problems are inherently interdisciplinary, and these global challenges can not be solved within singular sectors, such as energy, water, or climate. We’re not going to be able to address those problems wholly without thinking interdisciplinarily.

Melissa McCracken

Steven Block

Our courses in international development approach the ongoing challenge of global poverty from a wide range of policy-relevant perspectives. Why are some countries rich while others remain mired in poverty? The many possible answers to that question include both macroeconomic issues of growth, the role of institutions, and the role of government in guiding development in a competitive global market, and microeconomic issues of how households and firms interact with – often failing – markets and the impact of program interventions intended to lift households out of poverty. Successful long-run development strategies require the diverse perspectives that we integrate in our approach to this field.

Steve Block

Marcia Moreno-Báez

How can we use our ocean’s resources sustainably for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs? Many sectors realize how vast and rich our oceans are. When the resources seem endless, the question is how we can make use of them, while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. The idea is that the blue economy needs to have a different approach; we can’t just extract resources from our oceans. Our oceans are what keep us alive.

Marcia Moreno-Baez

International Development and Environmental Policy requirements

MALD and MIB students complete 12 credits in their field of study. MGA students complete 15 credits plus a practicum.

    • MALD and MIB choose one of the following:
      • DHP P250 Environmental Problem Solving 
      • EIB E240 Development Economics: Macroeconomic Perspectives 
      • EIB E241 Development Economics: Policy Analysis 
      • EIB E242 Development Economics: Micro Perspectives 
    • MGA must enroll in DHP P250 Environmental Problem Solving. Additionally, they choose one of the following for the second core course: 
      • EIB E240 Development Economics: Macroeconomic Perspectives 
      • EIB E241 Development Economics: Policy Analysis 
      • EIB E242 Development Economics: Micro Perspectives
  • MALD and MIB students take 9 credits. MGA students take 6 credits.

    • DHP D205  Global Maritime Affairs: International Trade, Security, Energy and Environmental Issues at Sea 
    • DHP D241 Climate and Migration 
    • DHP D242 Famine, Livelihoods, and Resilience: Food Security Analysis and Response in Crisis 
    • DHP D253 Global One Health Diplomacy: Holistic Approaches to Global Health Challenge
    • DHP D255 Environmental Humanities and Global Health
    • DHP P207 GIS for International Applications
    • DHP P219  Political Economy of Development 
    • DHP P222 Development Aid in Policy and Practice 
    • DHP P225 Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation
    • DHP P251 Energy, Entrepreneurship, and Finance 
    • DHP P252 Global Water Security Perspectives 
    • DHP P254 Climate Change Policy and Law 
    • DHP P255 International Energy Policy 
    • DHP P256 Innovation for Sustainable Prosperity 
    • DHP P258 The Energy Transition 
    • DHP P259 Water Policy and Governance
    • DHP P278 Climate Change and Security
    • DHP P288 Climate Change: Risk and Adaptation for Food Systems and Beyond
    • DHP P289 Advanced GIS
    • EIB B223 Informal and Underground Finance 
    • EIB B230 Managing NGOs and Social Enterprises 
    • EIB B240 Sustainable Business Dynamics
    • EIB B241M Inclusive Finance for Low-Income Households and Business
    • EIB B252 Corporate Sustainability in the Age of Globalization 
    • EIB B252M Corporate Sustainability Module
    • EIB B283 Impact Investing
    • EIB E211 Microeconomics 
    • EIB E214 International Economic Policy Analysis
    • EIB E220 International Trade and Investment 
    • EIB E230 International Finance 
    • EIB E240 Development Economics: Macroeconomic Perspectives 
    • EIB E241 Development Economics: Policy Analysis 
    • EIB E242 Development Economics: Micro Perspectives 
    • EIB E243 Food Systems and Policy in Developing Countries 
    • EIB E244 Political Economy of Development Policy: Theory and Practice 
    • EIB E246 Environmental Economics 
    • EIB E247 Econometric Impact Evaluation for Development 
    • ILO L222 Selected Issues in Law of the Sea 
    • ILO L223 International Environmental Law
    • ILO L227 Sustainable Development and Global Human Rights
  • MGA students select one of the following courses:

    • DHP P203 Analytical Frameworks for International Public Policy Decisions 
    • DHP P207 GIS for International Applications 
    • EIB E211 Microeconomics  
    • EIB E213 Econometrics
  • MGA students must complete a practicum for their field of study.

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