ECON1922 – Environmental economics and climate policy
Course description
Course content
We will discuss common concepts in economics to learn why we harm the environment and overuse natural resources, and what we can do about it. We will discuss different types of environmental policy, how they work, and for what problems they are suitable. We will talk about whether and how we can put a dollar value on nature and ecosystem services. We will study cost benefit analysis, international treaties, pollution in general and climate change. We will take an economic approach to global sustainability and study the relationship between the environment and economic growth and trade.
Learning outcome
Some people think economics is "all about the bottom line," where the bottom line is necessarily about corporate profits and GDP. It is certainly possible to use economics in that way. However, the tools of economics are also well-suited to helping solve the world’s environmental and natural resource problems. In this class, we will take a tour of the fields of environmental economics. The objective of the course is to give you a taste of what the topics in this field are, and how economic tools are useful in analysing and solving problems in this field. By the end of the semester, you will be able to approach a range of environmental problems with the perspective of an economist, and I hope this will inform your engagement with the world’s important environmental policy debates.
Knowledge
You should know:
- the concepts and frameworks that characterize an efficient allocation of resources;
- the different types of institutions that can contribute to achieving efficiency with respect to private goods, public goods, and common pool resources; and
- the main types of policy tools that governments can use to correct market failures related to the environment.
Skills
You should be able to:
- propose policy instruments to correct for market failures related to the environment;
- assess the advantages and disadvantages of such policy instruments; and
- use cost benefit analysis to assess a wide range of policy options or investments decisions.
Competence
You should:
- increase your ability to comprehend environmental problems, and critically assess environmental policy proposals.
Admission to the course
Students at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
You can not attend this course if you have already passed specific?ECON-courses at a higher level.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with ECON2920 – Environmental and natural resource economics (discontinued).
Teaching
Lectures and seminars.
Compulsory tuition activities:
A compulsory assignment
The assignment deadline will be specified in Canvas. If you submit your answer to the assignment, but do not pass, you may get another attempt. The new attempt will have a short deadline.
If your assignment is approved, this will be registered by the administration. You don’t have to resubmit the assignment if you wish to retake an exam.
See The Faculty of Social Sciences' rules regarding change of seminar groups?and?compulsory tuition activities.
Absence from compulsory tuition activities
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory tuition activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
At the start of the semester, the course reponsible can update the syllabus list by replacing up to 3 articles, without the scope and thematic content of the syllabus changing significantly.
The syllabus also includes any lecture notes that are made available during the semester.
Examination
This?course has a?3-hour written school exam.
You must have passed the mandatory activities in order to sit for the exam.
Previously issued exam papers and grading guidelines
Examination support material
Usage of a dictionary during the examination is allowed, subject to prior inspection by SV-info.?See guidelines for further details.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a?postponed exam?later in the same semester.
There are restrictions on resitting this exam. See further information about?resitting an exam.
Students who wish to take the exam again in a later semester are not guaranteed that the course will be given with the same content and syllabus, or that the form of assessment will be the same.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.