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Environmental Economics and Strategy (ECON90016)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2026
About this subject
Overview
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The subject provides an understanding of the economic analysis of market and government decisions affecting the environment. Topics include economic principles used in analysing private sector decisions on resource use and preservation, externalities and public goods reasons for government intervention, the theory and practice of benefit cost analysis, case study illustrations to water, forests, greenhouse gases and biodiversity.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Apply economic tools of supply and demand, and of benefit cost analysis, to critically evaluate business and government decisions related to the use of the environment as a resource, as a waste disposal and as an amenity;
- Describe and evaluate private sector decisions;
- Critically evaluate the reasons for, and effects of, government intervention via taxes, subsidies, specifying property rights, rules and regulations and tradeable permits;
- Apply economic concepts to analyse examples of real-world environmental issues, including population and economic growth, agricultural land, water, pollution and greenhouse gases and biodiversity.
Generic skills
On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:
- Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence
- Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence
- Strategic thinking
- Critical thinking
- Application of theory to economic policy and business decision making
- Statistical reasoning
- Problem solving skills
- Collaborative learning and team work
- Negotiation and bargaining
- Written communication
- Oral communication
Last updated: 19 November 2025