Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LM Environmental Economics
School	Birmingham Business School
Department	Economics
Module Code	07 40064
Module Lead	Anthony Heyes
Level	Masters Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	This module will introduce students to the application of theoretical and empirical economic methods to the analysis of the environment. A range of theoretical topics will be covered, such as theories of externality and the Coase theorem, the tragedy of the commons, the design and operation of policy interventions including different types of regulation, environmental taxes and voluntary approaches, regulatory enforcement, concepts of sustainability, political economy of the environment, and issues around green innovation. Empirical topics will include study of environmental impacts, such as the effects of pollution exposure on various health and non-health outcomes, emphasising the challenges of causal inference. The cost-benefit analysis of environmental interventions will also be covered, including issues such as discounting, treatment of risk, and the use of non-market valuation methods. Throughout the module learning will be enriched by means of examples relating to a wide variety of environmental policy problems, such as climate change, species loss and urban air pollution.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Analyse how a range of theoretical methods can be applied to understand environmental problems Explain and appraise key aspects of how policy can be designed and implemented to address environmental problems Critically apply a range of empirical methods to economy/environment issues Critically appraise some of the challenges around environmental valuation and how society should trade-off various environmental and economic outcomes, and approaches to address those challenges Demonstrate analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1750 word essay (50%). 1.5 hour exam (50%). Reassessment: Resubmission of failed component(s): 1750 word essay (50%). 1.5 hour exam (50%).
Other
Reading List