ECC2360 - Environmental economics - 2019

The role of government in regulating the interaction between the economy and the environment; application of microeconomic theory to environmental problems, including air pollution, climate change and the over-exploitation of open access resources; using the tools such as environmental valuation and cost-benefit analysis to discuss policy options ranging from command and control to market based approaches to address these problems.

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

1. explain how the economy and the environment interact
2. demonstrate the link between environmental problems and the economic concepts of property rights, externalities and non-excludability
3. critically analyse how market failures contribute to environmental problems
4. provide recommendations on how to correct for market failures and solve mathematically for the optimal environmental policy.

Within semester assessment: 50% + Examination: 50%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information