ENR-20306 Environmental Economics and Policy

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures24
Literature study
Problem-based learning8
Tutorial16
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. RA Groeneveld
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. ir. APJ Mol
prof. dr. EC van Ierland
Examiner(s)prof. dr. ir. APJ Mol
prof. dr. EC van Ierland

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

Economics (BBC/BIN), Sociology (BBC/BIN)

Continuation courses:

Advanced Environmental Economics and Policy , Economics and Management of Natural Resources, Cost-Benefit Analysis and Environmental Valuation

Contents:

The main aim of the course is to gain insights into the most important environmental issues from an economic and policy point of view. The course provides an introduction into environmental economics and environmental policy and their application. The central theme is the relationship between the economy and the environment, characteristics of the sustainability discussion and policy and control methods to manage and monitor environmental problems. Problems will be analysed on an (inter)national as well as on a sectoral and company level. During the course, it will be discussed which aspects are important for setting up and executing environmental policies. Furthermore, much attention will be paid to policy and economic instruments used for changing environmentally damaging behaviour.

Learning outcomes:

After this course, the students will be able to:
- demonstrate the relation between the environment and the economy and its relation with sustainability issues;
- examine the most important environmental issues from an economic and policy point of view;
- illustrate how the different economic and policy instruments could be applied in environmental policies;
- examine international environmental problems from an environmental economic and environmental policy point of view;
- prepare well written and well argumented essays dealing with the way economic and policy theories can contribute to solving or analysing environmental problems.

Activities:

Students have to study the literature discussed during the lectures and solve a number of exercises in order to learn to apply some of the methods discussed. Furthermore, students will work in groups of 2 to 3 students on a case study in which they apply the subjects discussed during the lectures to analyse an important environmental issue.

Examination:

Students will be tested by way of a written exam and a number of case study reports.

Literature:

Textbooks will be announced at a later stage.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BBNForest and Nature ConservationBScA: Policy and Society3WD
BINInternational Development StudiesBSc5MO
BEBEconomics and GovernanceBSc5MO
Restricted Optional for: BBCManagement and Consumer StudiesBScB: Consumer Studies3WD, 5MO
MinorPeriod
Compulsory for: WUECPBSc Minor Economics and Policy5MO
WUESDBSc Minor Economics of Sustainable Development3WD
WUPPNBSc Minor People - Nature Interactions3WD