Economics of the Environment and Public Policy

Catalog description

Provides a systematic analysis of environmental policy issues using microeconomic theory. Topics covered include elements of welfare economics, theories of environmental policy instruments, the law and economics of environmental regulation, economics of recycling, and international environmental issues. Specifically, this course outlines the need for and the means of providing economically efficient environmental management. The emphasis will be on the fundamental concepts utilized in environmental policy. To facilitate this process, students will gain an advanced understanding of economic theory, focusing on the foundational elements relevant to environmental policy. In addition, the incompatibility of individual and social objectives will be outlined as they relate to environmental policy. The main emphasis of this course is to enhance students’ ability to critically assess contemporary environmental policy.