ENR-50806 Environmental Economics in Practice

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Practical extensively supervised24
Problem-based learning24
Course coordinator(s)dr. RB Dellink
Lecturer(s)dr. RB Dellink
Examiner(s)prof. dr. EC van Ierland

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

'Milieueconomie en Beleid' or 'Environmental Economics for environmental sciences'.

Continuation courses:

Advanced Environmental Economics and Policy;
Theories and Models in Environmental Sciences;
Cost Benefit Analysis and Environmental Valuation;
Economics and Management of Natural Resources.

Contents:

This course introduces BSc students into topics of environmental policy from an economic point of view. It highlights the importance of environmental economic theory for the design and implementation of environmental policy in real life situations. A considerable part of the course is dedicated to the evaluation of policy instruments, both economic instruments (such as tradable emission permits, environmental taxes and subsidies) and command and control regulations by guest lectures by experienced environmental policy makers and researchers. Functioning of the instruments is examined for a number of topics such as climate change, tropospheric ozone, forest conservation, water management, food safety, etc.

Aims:

- knowledge and understanding of present environmental economic policy issues;
- to apply environmental economic theory to practical problems of environmental policy; in a real world setting
- understanding the pros and cons of the various environmental policy instruments in the context of concrete environmental problems;
- learn to evaluate and critically refelct on scientific papers and application of environmental economics methods.

Activities:

- study the reader;
- attend lectures;
- critically discuss and comment on articles on environmental economic topics;
- work on a number of case studies.

Examination:

Based on study report, discussion questions and participation in discussions.

Literature:

There will be a reader