Environmental Policy Integration
Course content
Environmental Policy Integration [EPI] is usually defined as the incorporation of environmental policy instruments and objectives in sectoral policies outside the traditional environmental policy domain such as energy, transport, agriculture etc. It is considered a more effective approach to pursuing environmental objectives rather than adopting environmental measures that are not embedded in sectoral policies. The principle of environmental policy integration is part of the EU’s Amsterdam treaty and is guiding much EU environmental policy making as well as much of the EU’s Green Deal. The reasoning behind integrating environmental policy objectives and measures in sectoral policy is that this would enable more coherent policies, avoid institutional fragmentation and thus result in more effective environmental policy.
However, there is considerable discussion whether EPI does indeed deliver what it promises. Empirical research suggests that experiences are mixed. In this course, the participants will be introduced to the conceptual EPI literature and studies which analyse actual EPI. The course will go beyond establishing the success and failure of EPI and delve into the processes of pursuing EPI in selected sectoral policies to understand some of the institutional barriers to EPI as well as the opportunities to overcome these. In assessing EPI, the participants will critically discuss the claims of EPI in EU and national policies.
MSc Programme in European Environmental Economics and Policy
Knowledge
Upon completion of the course, the participants will be able to:
- define and explain the concept of environmental policy integration and related concepts,
- explain and assess the relevance of applying an environmental policy integration strategy in EU policies and in the Green Deal,
- explain the various dimensions of integration of environmental policy into sectoral policies, and
- discuss the political and institutional challenges of environmental policy integration
- critically reflect on the strengths and limitations of the concept of environmental policy integration in analysing the EU Green Deal and other initiatives to promote green transition
Skills
Upon completion of the course, the participants must be able to:
- Formulate a relevant research project based on a well-defined question related to environmental policy integration,
- explain the challenge of environmental policy integration in a case selected for analysis,
- select and apply relevant theoretical concepts and frameworks to describe and explain environmental policy integration in a selected case, and
- present their policy project in a clear and balanced way that logically connects the research question, the description of the issue, the application of a theoretical framework, the evidence and the conclusions.
Competences
Upon completion of the course, the participants must be able to:
- Apply theoretical concepts and analytical frameworks to reach practice-oriented conclusions on how to assess and understand environmental policy integration,
- systematically apply evidence obtained from policy documents, online sources and other sources to support such conclusions,
- reflect critically on such evidence and how it influences conclusions,
- take into account the political dimensions of environmental policy integration,
- work in a team representing different disciplinary backgrounds, and
- adapt their studying skills to unfamiliar challenges.
In the first part, the course will introduce the students to the
concept of EPI and related concepts as well as selected empirical
studies of EPI to deepen their knowledge of the EPI concept and
practices and develop their competencies to assess actual EPI.
Teaching will be based on lectures and discussions of the
conceptual literature and critical application of the concepts to
various EPI situations.
In the second part of the course, the students will produce a group
project report
A reading list will be available one to two weeks before the course starts. These areticles are examples of readings:
Biesbroek, R., & Candel, J. J. L. (2020). Mechanisms for policy (dis)integration: Explaining food policy and climate change adaptation policy in the Netherlands. Policy Sciences, 53(1), 61–84.
Cejudo, G. M., & Trein, P. (2023). Pathways to policy integration: A subsystem approach. Policy Sciences, 56(1): 9-27
Tosun, J., & Leininger, J. (2017). Governing the interlinkages between the sustainable development goals: Approaches to attain policy integration. Global Challenges, 1(9)
It is recommended that students have obtained minimum 60 ECTS in political science and/or economics, or in other social science disciplines
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Oral exam on basis of previous submission, 30 minutes - no time for preparation under invigilation
- Type of assessment details
- The student must submit a group project report analysing an
empirical case or cases of environmental policy integration.
Individual contributions (maximum 7 pages) must be clearly marked
in the report. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the
project report must be a group report.
The overall assessment is based on a combination of the report as a whole, the individual contribution and the oral performance. The report is made during the course. - Aid
- All aids allowed except Generative AI and internet access
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Two internal examiners.
- Re-exam
-
Same as ordinary exam. If the student has not handed in a group project report, then an individual report (max. 7 pages) must be handed in two weeks prior to the re-exam.
Criteria for exam assessment
Assessment is based on students' ability to demonstrate obtained knowledge, skills, and competences (see learning outcomes) with particular emphasis on students' ability to demonstrate understanding of theoretical concepts, their use to answer empirical questions and critically reflect on them.
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 21
- Preparation
- 74
- Project work
- 110
- Exam
- 1
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NIFK25001U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedulegroup
-
C
- Capacity
- 42
The number of places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student. - Studyboard
- Study Board of Natural Resources, Environment and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Food and Resource Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Carsten Daugbjerg (3-737471507976827f3e7b853e747b)
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