ESA-31806 Integrated Environmental Assessment: Pollution Management

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Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Environmental Systems Analysis (ESA-20406)

Contents:

Pollution problems are often complex. Finding good solutions may require Integrated Environmental Assessments (IEA). These assessments use multi-disciplinary scientific insights to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental policies to deal with local, regional and global environmental problems. The course starts with an introduction into environmental management under uncertainty. Next, we study different environmental assessment approaches, with a special focus on conceptualizing causes, effects and possible solutions of specific problems. This includes an introduction to the design and use of Integrated Assessment models. The computer game NitroGenius, which deals with nitrogen-related problems, is used to illustrate different approaches. To follow the course, students do not have to have experience in programming or computer modeling.

Aims:

After the course, students are able to:
- recognize the importance of uncertainties in Integrated Environmental Assessment and are familiar with different approaches for uncertainty assessment;
- explain and critically discuss in detail how selected environmental assessment systems analysis methods ('tools') have been used in combinations within the Integrated Environmental Assessment models underlying NitroGenius; and
- design an environmental model in terms of general model specifications (model input and output, system elements and their relations, system bounderies and aggregation levels, tools to be used, uncertainty assessment), that can be used in Integrated Environmental Assessment focusing on pollution management.

Examination:

Based on written examination and participation during the case studies.

Literature:

A course manual and reader are available.