The main objective of this course is to introduce students with the basic concepts to deal with the environment and natural resources put forward by economic theory. During this course students will learn (1) how economic thought with respect to the environment and natural resources has developed historically, (2) how economists understand the causes of environmental degradation, (3) which concepts economics have put forward to assess the value of environmental goods and services, and (4) what policy concepts economists developed to contribute to the sustainable management of resources. During this course the student will learn how to link theoretical notions to real-world water management cases. After this course the student:
- Should have a good understanding on how economic theory conceptualizes and understands the driving forces of environmental problems
- Is able to critically reflect on the added value of economics for decision making
- Is able to apply course concepts to a real-world case study
|
|
|
Environmental Economics has valuable lessons to learn about both the causes of pressure on the natural environment as well as ideas on how to solve some of the most pressing issues of our time. Ideas hailing from this field have made a substantial impact on how societies think about and deal with the natural environment. Think for instance about the valuation of climate change and its impact on the climate change mitigation/adaptation debate, discussions about ecosystem services or thinking about sustainable development.
Also, environmental economics has had substantial effects on the scaffolds humans have erected to deal with the environment. One can think about the EU emission trading scheme, REDD or the range of instruments used in the regulation of the harvest of natural resources. A large part of this course is attuned to the specificities of quantitative and qualitative water management, yet the course will also discuss other key topics in the environmental economic debates of today (natural resources management, the economic growth debate, economics of climate change).
The course is designed specifically for students with a non-economic background to introduce them in environmental economic thought.
|
|
|