ECO-40012 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

The Module offers you an intuitive introduction to the economics of the environment, climate change and sustainability. Aside from basic economic theory, it focuses on empirical evidence, real-world problems and case studies. This will allow experiential learning for instance, with the exposure to socio-economic and environmental impact assessments, or the calculation of carbon footprints. In addition to the essential economics in the area, you will be able to see real applications in pollution, water, forestry, fisheries, recycling and energy production - renewable and non-renewable. The Module highlights the policy dimension throughout - regulation, cost-benefit analysis and instruments to limit pollutions such as permits, and will enable you to formulate policy recommendations based on economic analysis, in the form of policy reports and presentations.

The Module offers students excellent training in environmental economics and the economic impacts of climate change and sustainability. The Module draws extensively on empirical evidence, real-world environmental challenges and case studies. It emphasises the ethical aspects of environmental economics and the monetary constraints of resolving environmental issues. The sustainability challenges in the road to a new 'green economy' are also addressed with the focus placed on carbon footprint estimation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically appraise the basic economics of the environment and climate change - key facts, externalities, tragedy of the commons, prisoners' dilemmas, and time discounting;
: 1
Synthesise the main policy tools in the quest for sustainability, such as environmental regulation, methods of valuation and cost-benefit analysis, carbon capture and emissions permits;
: 1
Appraise the viability of applying sustainable economic models in diverse areas such as pollution, water, forestry, fisheries, and recycling;
: 1
Compare and contrast the essential economic models and policy tools of energy production from renewable sources.: 1
Evaluate the prospects of sustainable socio-economic development leading to the new green economy and the risks posed by damage and depletion of environmental resources.: 1

Study hours

20 hours lectures
4 hours seminars
70 hours of reading and preparation of class activities
56 hours of assessment preparation

School Rules

Available to students on other Programmes if they have some background in Economics (at least at L4), to be assessed by the Module Leader in association with the Programme Director.

Description of Module Assessment