- To understand what environment sustainability means and to identify the assumptions behind policies towards it
- To examine the interaction between the economy and the environment
- Students develop a clear understanding of the principles and applications of different schools of economic
- Students are familiar with the limitation on policy-making to achieve sustainable development
- To analyse the role and interests of different stakeholders (public authorities, businesses, individuals, etc.) and possible strategies for achieving future sustainability
- Students are able to identify appropriate instruments to achieve sustainable development
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“The earth is finite and the quest for unlimited growth in population, material goods etc. would eventually lead to a crash” (Meadows et al., The limits to growth, 1972). About 40 years later, global climate change and resource problems are now widely seen as urgent. Environmental problems are increasingly being subjected to economic analysis. In this course, the relationship between economic growth, sustainable development, the environment and the economic sciences is central. What are the limitations of our current system and how to deal with them? The course outlines several streams in economics: neoclassical economics and the tragedy of the commons, Ostrom and public choice, ecological economics and natural capital, etc. What are the policy implications of the various concepts and definitions that are applied? How should we regulate? What is acceptable between weak and strong sustainability? How to coordinate all stakeholders towards sustainable development? How to (and should we) value biodiversity? How to measure sustainability and well-being over GDP?
We will study practical examples on many crucial issues (economic growth, population growth, ecosystems, consumerism, technology, etc.) along the way from all over the world, as international imbalances are also fundamental in this evolution towards sustainable development. By connecting theory and practice the course will help students to learn how they can make a difference. One important idea to take from this course is that sustainable development goes beyond economics. The course is multidisciplinary. It explores how to make our economies, regions and our cities more sustainable and how to work towards a more sustainable global society. Solutions integrate economic, environmental, political and social considerations.
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| No requirements; BA elective course. |
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Written final exam, combining MCQs and open questions.
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