Leader: Sharron Pfueller

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit equips students with understanding of basic tools for environmental analysis and decision making for sustainability and skills in their application. It will look at a range of techniques for attributing value to the environment including those based on economics e.g. cost benefit analysis, as well as tools for evaluating planning and policy decisions. These include environmental and social impact assessment, risk analysis, strategic and integrated assessment, life cycle analysis, state-of-environment reporting, modelling, auditing, monitoring and scenario building. Throughout, the dynamic interaction between scientists, policy makers and the broader community will be explored.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit at level 4 students will be able to demonstrate:

1. a capacity to describe and understand a variety of methods used to value the environment.

2. understanding of the complexity of analysing and presenting data to form the basis of decisions about the environment.

3. understanding and critical evaluation of the development and operation of the Environmental Impact Assessment process both nationally and internationally

4. understanding of the economic approach to attributing environmental value

5. skills in applying a range of techniques to real world situations

6. students will demonstrate a capacity to evaluate the comparative usefulness of various tools for analysis

Assessment

A field trip report 1000 words 20%, Two practical exercises Each 500 words Each 15%, Simulation exercise Equivalent to 800 words 20%, Essay 1700 words 30%

Contact hours

One 2 hour seminar per week

Prohibitions

ENV422E or ENV522E Environmental Assessment