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Applied Economics for the Environment - ENV00029I

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Marco Sakai
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module develops skills in applying quantitative methods for the economic analysis of environmental issues.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The module will apply economic thinking and analysis in looking at a range of environmental issues. It will enable students to detect misleading uses of economic and social statistics by politicians, civil servants, the business world, journalists and academics. The emphasis is on the critical assessment of statistical quality and will help students acquire the research and analytical skills required for Year 3 dissertations. Topics also include environmental valuation, well-being and behavioural economics. The module will consist of a mix of lectures, seminars and computer practicals.  During the computer practicals, students will gain an understanding of the software STATA and the basic principles behind regression analysis. Seminars will be highly interactive, for example through games to test whether economic theory stacks up in reality. 

 

Module learning outcomes

After completing the module, you should be able to:

  • Apply economic concepts to the analysis, appraisal and valuation of a wide range of environmental problems and policies (e.g. health and well-being, environmental valuation, pollution control etc.)
  • Use quantitative analysis (regression analysis and experimental designs) to examine relationships between variables of interest
  • Identify misleading uses of economic and social statistics

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
1500 word report		 N/A 35
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Applied Economics for the Environment Open Exam		 8 hours 65

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay 3000 words		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Four week turn-around time on write-up. Feedback is via a written feedback sheet showing comments by markers.

Indicative reading

  • Clemen, R. T. (1996) Making hard decisions: an introduction to decision analysis, Belmont, California: Duxbury Press, 2nd ed., 664 p.

  • Pollitt, M.G., Shaorshadze, I., 2011. The Role of Behavioural Economics in Energy and Climate Policy. Handbook on Energy and Climate Change, Ch. 24. Edward-Elgar.

  • Cooper, R., Burton, E., Cooper, C.L., 2014. Wellbeing: A Complete Reference Guide, Wellbeing and the Environment. John Wiley & Sons.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.