This module covers the theory and practice of environmental and natural resource economics and their application to the area of environmental management. The module begins with a description of how the economy interacts with the environment and how economic activity can impact on natural resources and the earths ecosystem. A review of basic economic concepts and principles such as Benefits and Costs, Supply and Demand and Market Efficiency and how they apply to the environment are also considered. The frameworks of analysis that are commonly used to assess complex interactions between the environment, society and the economy are covered. A detailed assessment is made of different policy approaches to managing environmental issues and dealing with environmental problems and this is followed by Irish and International examples of best practice in environmental management.
The syllabus includes the following elements:
- Introduction to module and economic principles
- Production and consumption and their impact on the environment
- Application of economic principles to environmental problems
- Frameworks of Analysis for assessing environmental impacts including cost benefit analysis, regulatory impact analysis, risk analysis and environmental impact assessment
- Identifying criteria for assessing environmental policies
- Evaluation of different approaches to environmental management including; liability laws, property rights, moral suasion, standards, emission taxes and subsidies and incentive based strategies such as transferable discharge permits.
- International Environmental Issues including biodiversity, control of greenhouse gases and global warming.
- Environmental management in Less Developed Countries
Lectures, workshops, tutorials, and classroom discussion.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 60 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |