EC996: Environmental Economics & Sustainable Development
Anant Sudarshan
Module Leader
Principal Aims
This module will provide a brief introduction to the meaning and scope of environmental economics. It will then outline key theoretical and methodological tools to study how to evaluate and manage natural resources. Key policy instruments to deal with contemporary environmental problems, such as climate change, sustainable development and pollution will be discussed offering an overview of the behavioural responses to environmental conservation and protection. The module will finally look at the linkage between environmental health and (in)justice to outline policy instruments and cutting-edge research that work towards improved justice and sustainability in the environmental health arena.
Principal Learning Outcomes
Subject knowledge and understanding: Acquire knowledge on how environmental issues affect our economy and health. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Presentation; Policy Brief; Written Critique and Data Assignment.
Subject knowledge and understanding: Demonstrate knowledge of methods and tools used to value environmental resources. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Presentation; Policy Brief; Written Critique and Data Assignment.
Subject knowledge and understanding: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of economic arguments to discuss environmental policy proposals and solutions. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Presentation; Policy Brief; Written Critique and Data Assignment.
Subject knowledge and understanding: Understand the interdisciplinary nature of environmental economics. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Presentation; Policy Brief; Written Critique and Data Assignment.
Subject-Specific/Professional Skills: Demonstrate research skills, including using the library and internet as information sources. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Presentation and policy brief.
Subject-Specific/Professional Skills: Communicate knowledge and understanding of key theories, methodological tools and empirical analyses in environmental economics, both verbally and in writing. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Presentation; Policy Brief; Written Critique and Data Assignment.
Cognitive Skills: Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving when approaching environmental problems. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Presentation; Policy Brief; Written Critique and Data Assignment.
Cognitive Skills: Demonstrate creativity to develop policy solutions for environmental problems. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Presentation; Policy Brief; Written Critique and Data Assignment.
Syllabus
The syllabus may cover, but is not limited to, the following topics: first and second welfare theorems, main market failures in environmental economics; Coase theorem and main Government interventions (e.g., command & control instruments vs. price-based policies); Weitzman quality/quantity controls, with an application to carbon taxes vs carbon market; valuation of environmental policies/amenities (e.g., revealed preferences vs. stated preferences); macroeconomic trends (e.g., the effect of extreme risky events on the financial market); environmental health and pollution damages; pollution and the business cycle; the socioeconomic determinants of health model; environmental justice and residential sorting; defensive investments and adaptive behaviour; environmental gentrification; economics of climate change; and the role of behavioural economics in energy efficiency gaps.
Context
- Optional Module
- L1P6 - Year 1, L801 - Year 1, L1P7 - Year 1
- Pre or Co-requisites
- The module is accessible to anyone with a good undergraduate background in economics, including intermediate microeconomics.
Assessment
- Assessment Method
- Coursework (100%)
- Coursework Details
- Data Assignment (30%) , Group Policy Brief (50%) , Group Presentation (10%) , Individual Written Critique (10%)
- Exam Timing
- N/A
Exam Rubric
There is no examination for this module in 2024/25.
Previous exam papers can be found in the University’s past papers archive. Please note that previous exam papers may not have operated under the same exam rubric or assessment weightings as those for the current academic year. The content of past papers may also be different.