Advanced Economics of the Environment and Climate Change
Course content
The course introduces advanced economic concepts relevant for analyzing problems and policies relating to the environment, natural resources and climate change, using theories and analytical tools from microeconomics and macroeconomics. Additionally, the course introduces optimal control theory, which is applied to various problems within environmental and resource economics.
MSc programme in Economics – elective course
Due to similarity in the Syllabus it is not allowed to take the course and the exam in "Advanced Economics of the Environment and Climate Change (AØKK08402U)", if the following former courses already has been taken and passed:
- "Economics of the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change" (AØKK08382U and AØKA08227U)
- "Miljø-, ressource- og klimaøkonomi" (AØKK08094U).
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
- Credit students from Danish Universities
- Open University students
After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge:
- Discuss and evaluate mondern theories of economic growth and the environment.
- Account for and evaluate the mechanisms behind optimal growth with scare natural resources.
- Account for and discuss optimal management of exhaustible and renewable natural resources.
- Discuss concepts and theories of environmental sustainability.
- Discuss and assess how environmental policies affect equity.
- Identify and discuss the assumptions underlying standard Integrated Assessment Models of climate change.
- Discuss optimal and second-best environmental policies including climate policies.
- Account for estimation of an economys Green GDP.
- Discuss the implications of uncertainty for optimal environmental policy
- Discuss and evaluate the Green Paradox hypothesis and the concept of carbon leakage.
Skills:
- Master the standard mathematical method for static optimization subject to constraints to analyze environmental policy problems such as the determination of the optimal level of pollution abatement and the optimal environmental tax rates.
- Master optimal control theory to solve dynamic optimization problems subject to constraints such as the determination of the optimal extraction of natural resources and the optimal pace of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Communicate economic theories and models of the environment, natural resources and climate change in a clear and precise language.
Competences:
- Perform advanced model analyses within the field of environmental and climate economics.
- Evaluate environmental policy goals and discuss the role of the state and the market in the implementation of the environmental policy goals.
- Perform a comprehensive critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the environmental theories and models.
- Critically analyze and evaluate real-world environmental policies.
Lectures and exercise classes.
The lectures present the relevant theories and evidence. As
preparation for the lectures the students have to watch some videos
that the lecturer uploads in Absalon before the lectures.
The exercise classes consist of instruction in solving exercises
that involve applications and extensions of the theories presented
in the lectures as well as training in the application of the
mathematical analytical tools used in the course, including optimal
control theory.
As a complement to the ordinary lectures, the course will include a
couple of guest lectures by Danish experts who will present
examples of practical applications of the theories presented in the
course.
The syllabus consists of a selection of scientific papers by leading authors in the field plus lecture notes. A detailed list of the syllabus will be posted in Absalon at the beginning of the course.
The student should have followed courses similar to
"Microeconomics I" and "Microeconomics II",
"Macroeconomics I" and "Macroeconomics II",
"Mathematics A" and "Mathematics B" at the
Bachelor of Economics, University of Copenhagen.
Knowledge of environmental economics corresponding to the
curriculum of the course "Economics of the Environment and
Climate Change", at the Studies of Economics, University of
Copenhagen.
Schedule:
2 hours lectures 1 to 2 times a week from week 36 to 50 (except
week 42).
2 hours exercise classes a week from week 36 to 50 (except week
42).
The teaching assistants gives the students individual written feedback at the mandatory assignments.
The lecturer gives collective oral feedback in the lectures.
for enrolled students: Rules etc at Master(UK) and Master(DK)
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more through this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
- Open University students - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
On-site written exam, 3 hours under invigilation
- Type of assessment details
- ITX-exam in the exam venues of the university.
- Examination prerequisites
-
To qualify for the exam the student must no later than the given deadlines during the course:
- Hand in and have approved 1 out of 2 mandatory assignments.
- Aid
- No aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
An oral re-examination may be with external assessment.
- Exam period
-
Exam information:
The examination date can be found in the exam schedule here
The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester.
More information about examination, rules, aids etc. at Master (UK) and Master (DK).
- Re-exam
-
Reexam information:
20 min. oral exam without preparation.
No aids allowed during the examination.
The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule here
More information in Digital Exam in February. More information at Master UK) and Master DK)
Criteria for exam assessment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.
To receive the top grade "12", the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
In order to obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 38
- Class Instruction
- 28
- Preparation
- 133
- E-Learning
- 4
- Exam
- 3
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- AØKK08402U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Price
-
Information about admission and tuition fee: Master and Exchange Programme, credit students and guest students (Open University)
- Studyboard
- Department of Economics, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Peter Kjær Kruse-Andersen (22-6277867784405d405d848785773f53807677848577805277758180407d8740767d)
Teacher
see 'Course Coordinators'.
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Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende