Environmental Economics

Module overview

The aim of this module is to provide students with a set of analytical tools to explore and understand the main mechanisms that govern the interaction between the economy and its natural resources. This module addresses the main economic problems arising in the management and allocation of natural resources, with a particular focus on energy and the constraints that the natural environment represents for economic growth. It combines economic theory, including a presentation of the most recent advancements in the field, a critical analysis of the existing empirical evidence, and a study of the effects of different policy interventions.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

to communicate knowledge about the functioning of complex dynamic systems in writing
analyse policies and outcomes from a sustainability perspective using a rigorous logical framework

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Apply fundamental concepts such as public goods, environmental externalities, sustainability, and scarcity to analyse problems in energy, resource and environmental economics

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the optimal management of exhaustible natural resources
the costs and benefits of alternative instruments to control pollution
the set of interactions that exist between economic activities and the natural environment

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be delivered through a set of lectures and connected seminars.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	122
Lecture	20
Tutorial	8
Total study time	150

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Assessment in this module is through group presentations (worth 20% of the final mark) and a final written exam (worth 80%). This is supported by continuous formative assessment. This is the same for internal repeat. Assessment for external repeat and referral is through final exam only.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Group presentation	20%
Final Exam	80%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Final Exam	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Final Exam	100%