Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Environmental Economics and Finances
Course Code
SBUEK_190
Branch of Science
Economics and Business
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Business Management; Management Science; Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Dzintra Atstāja
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To provide students with knowledge about the growing importance of the environmental economics and its financial aspects as well as its practical tendencies in the context of the international business environment and its governance. This is achieved by means of knowledge and expertise on a variety of models and approaches to environmental issues in economics, instruments and mechanisms to correct for market failure, environmental valuation and business models for green economy.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basics of economics, basic knowledge in international business.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Understanding the growing importance of the environmental economy, its basic principles, key trends. Understanding current issues of environmental economics in the international business economy. Knowledge of the key players in the public, private, NGO and transnational sectors in the environmental economy.
Skills
1.In group work and discussions students develop their arguments and critical thinking skills. Presentation of papers strengthens students' ability to reasonably explain and discuss topical issues in the environmental economics, finances and related business models.
Competences
1.Ability to identify and interpret environmental economic processes and analyse the role and impact of its key players. Ability to apply various methods of financial assessment of environmental economics.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
10 points
|
|
Independent performance of tasks, preparation of summaries, case study, preparation of a presentation. |
||
|
2.
Drafting of a summary |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Case study analyses and Presentation + Debate |
||
|
2.
Examination |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
1. Attendance at seminars and lectures, participation in class activities (discussions, debates) – mandatory. 2. Exam – 40%. |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental economics – background, concepts, topics and approaches. Introduction to the course.
Introduction to environmental economics: history, scope and main concepts. Environment and market failure.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental economics – background, concepts, topics and approaches. Introduction to the course.
Introduction to environmental economics: history, scope and main concepts. Environment and market failure.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental economics – background, concepts, topics and approaches (continued).
Environmental economics: pollution control. Taxes, subsidies, command and control, voluntary approaches.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental economics – background, concepts, topics and approaches (continued).
Environmental economics: pollution control. Taxes, subsidies, command and control, voluntary approaches.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of global climate change. Introduction to the problem and antecedents of global climate change. Climate effects on economic performance. Adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of global climate change. Introduction to the problem and antecedents of global climate change. Climate effects on economic performance. Adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of global climate change. Introduction to the problem and antecedents of global climate change. Climate effects on economic performance. Adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of global climate change. Introduction to the problem and antecedents of global climate change. Climate effects on economic performance. Adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of natural hazards. Definition and typology of natural disasters. Economic consequences of natural hazards: damages. Disaster risk management.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of natural hazards. Definition and typology of natural disasters. Economic consequences of natural hazards: damages. Disaster risk management.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of natural hazards. Definition and typology of natural disasters. Economic consequences of natural hazards: damages. Disaster risk management.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of natural hazards. Definition and typology of natural disasters. Economic consequences of natural hazards: damages. Disaster risk management.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of natural hazards. Definition and typology of natural disasters. Economic consequences of natural hazards: damages. Disaster risk management.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental valuation and economic valuation methods. Value ethics. Economic value components and value assessment. Economic valuation methods: stated preference methods, revealed preference methods, benefit transfer.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental valuation and economic valuation methods. Value ethics. Economic value components and value assessment. Economic valuation methods: stated preference methods, revealed preference methods, benefit transfer.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental valuation and economic valuation methods. Value ethics. Economic value components and value assessment. Economic valuation methods: stated preference methods, revealed preference methods, benefit transfer.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental valuation and economic valuation methods. Value ethics. Economic value components and value assessment. Economic valuation methods: stated preference methods, revealed preference methods, benefit transfer.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental valuation and economic valuation methods. Value ethics. Economic value components and value assessment. Economic valuation methods: stated preference methods, revealed preference methods, benefit transfer.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental valuation and economic valuation methods. Value ethics. Economic value components and value assessment. Economic valuation methods: stated preference methods, revealed preference methods, benefit transfer.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case study: developing a business case.
Assessment tools: CBA, MCA, business case. Definition and typology of business models. Business models for urban nature. Sustainable finance frameworks.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case study: developing a business case.
Assessment tools: CBA, MCA, business case. Definition and typology of business models. Business models for urban nature. Sustainable finance frameworks.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case study: developing a business case.
Assessment tools: CBA, MCA, business case. Definition and typology of business models. Business models for urban nature. Sustainable finance frameworks.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case study: developing a business case.
Assessment tools: CBA, MCA, business case. Definition and typology of business models. Business models for urban nature. Sustainable finance frameworks.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case study: developing a business case.
Assessment tools: CBA, MCA, business case. Definition and typology of business models. Business models for urban nature. Sustainable finance frameworks.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case study: developing a business case.
Assessment tools: CBA, MCA, business case. Definition and typology of business models. Business models for urban nature. Sustainable finance frameworks.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
64 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental economics – background, concepts, topics and approaches. Introduction to the course.
Introduction to environmental economics: history, scope and main concepts. Environment and market failure.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental economics – background, concepts, topics and approaches. Introduction to the course.
Introduction to environmental economics: history, scope and main concepts. Environment and market failure.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental economics – background, concepts, topics and approaches (continued).
Environmental economics: pollution control. Taxes, subsidies, command and control, voluntary approaches.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental economics – background, concepts, topics and approaches (continued).
Environmental economics: pollution control. Taxes, subsidies, command and control, voluntary approaches.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of global climate change. Introduction to the problem and antecedents of global climate change. Climate effects on economic performance. Adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of global climate change. Introduction to the problem and antecedents of global climate change. Climate effects on economic performance. Adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of natural hazards. Definition and typology of natural disasters. Economic consequences of natural hazards: damages. Disaster risk management.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Economics of natural hazards. Definition and typology of natural disasters. Economic consequences of natural hazards: damages. Disaster risk management.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental valuation and economic valuation methods. Value ethics. Economic value components and value assessment. Economic valuation methods: stated preference methods, revealed preference methods, benefit transfer.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Environmental valuation and economic valuation methods. Value ethics. Economic value components and value assessment. Economic valuation methods: stated preference methods, revealed preference methods, benefit transfer.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case study: developing a business case.
Assessment tools: CBA, MCA, business case. Definition and typology of business models. Business models for urban nature. Sustainable finance frameworks.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case study: developing a business case.
Assessment tools: CBA, MCA, business case. Definition and typology of business models. Business models for urban nature. Sustainable finance frameworks.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy transition and Green economy. Energy economics transition. Energy market(-s). Energy trends and projections. Economics of alternative energy sources.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
28 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Harris, Jonathan M. and Roach Brian (2017) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics; A Contemporary Approach, 4th Edn, Routledge.Suitable for English stream
2.
Bergh, J.C.J.M. van den (2000) Ecological Economics: Themes, Approaches, and Differences with Environmental Economics. Regional Environmental Change 2(00-080/3).Suitable for English stream
3.
Bockarjova, M. Wouter Botzen, Mark Koetse (2018) Economic Valuation of Green and Blue Nature in Cities: A Meta-Analysis. U.S.E. Working Paper series, volume 18, issue 08. Utrecht University.Suitable for English stream
4.
Bubeck, P., Kreibich, H., Penning-Rowsell, E., Botzen, W. J. W., de Moel, H., & Klijn, F. (2017). Explaining differences in flood management approaches in Europe and the USA – A comparative analysis. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 10(4), 436-445.Suitable for English stream
5.
Costanza, R., Rudolf de Groot, Leon Braat, Ida Kubiszewski, Lorenzo Fioramonti, Paul Sutton, Steve Farber, Monica Grasso (2017) Twenty years of ecosystem services: How far have we come and how far do we still need to go? Ecosystem Services, 28(A): 1-Suitable for English stream
6.
Estrada Porrua, F., Botzen, W.J.W., Tol, R. S. J. (2015). Economic losses from US hurricanes consistent with an influence from climate change. Nature Geoscience, 8, 880-884.Suitable for English stream
7.
Groot, R. de, Luke Brander, Sander van der Ploeg, et al. (2012) Global estimates of the value of ecosystems and their services in monetary units, Ecosystem Services, 1(1): 50-61.Suitable for English stream
8.
Polzin, F., Florian Egli, Bjarne Steffen, Tobias S. Schmidt (2019) How do policies mobilize private finance for renewable energy?—A systematic review with an investor perspective. Applied Energy, 236: 1249-1268.Suitable for English stream
9.
Lomborg, Bjorn. TED talk on green innovation (5min)Suitable for English stream
10.
MUÛLS M., JONATHAN COLMER, RALF MARTIN, ULRICH J. WAGNER (2016) Evaluating the EU Emissions Trading System: Take it or leave it? An assessment of the data after ten years. Grantham Institute Briefing paper No 21, October 2016. Imperial College LondonSuitable for English stream
11.
Myrick Freeman III, A., Joseph A. Herriges, Catherine L. Kling (2014) The Measurement of Environmental and Resource Values; Theory and Methods. 3rd Edition. Resources for the Future, RFF press.Suitable for English stream
12.
Ozdemiroglu, E., Rosie Hails (eds.) (2016) Demystifying Economic Valuation: Valuing Nature Paper.Suitable for English stream
13.
Schoenmaker, Dirk (2017). Investing for the common good: a sustainable finance framework. BRUEGEL ESSAY AND LECTURE SERIES.Suitable for English stream
14.
TAGLIAPIETRA, S., GEORG ZACHMANN, OTTMAR EDENHOFER, JEAN-MICHEL GLACHANT, PEDRO LINARES AND ANDREAS LOESCHEL (2019) The European Union energy transition: key priorities for the next five years. BRUEGEL policy brief, 9 JULY 2019Suitable for English stream
15.
Zander, K., Botzen, W. J. W., Kjellstrom, T., Oppermann, E., & Garnett, S. T. (2015). Heat stress has a substantial economic impact on the Australian workforce. Nature Climate Change, 5, 647-651.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Aerts, J. C. J. H., Barnard, P. L., Botzen, W., Grifman, P., Hart, J. F., De Moel, H., ... Sadrpour, N. (2018). Pathways to resilience: Adapting to sea level rise in Los Angeles. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1427(1), 1-90.Suitable for English stream
2.
Arias-Arévalo, P., Erik Gómez-Baggethun, Berta Martín-López, Mario Alejandro Perez Rincón (2018) Widening the evaluative space for ecosystem services: A taxonomy of plural values and valuation methods. Environmental Values 27(1):29-53.Suitable for English stream
3.
CORE. The EconomySuitable for English stream
4.
ECONADAPT project valuation methods.Suitable for English stream
5.
Estrada, F., Botzen, W.J.W., Tol, R. S. J. (2017). A global economic assessment of city policies to reduce climate change impacts. Nature Climate Change, 7(6), 403-406.Suitable for English stream
6.
Farley (2012) Ecosystem services: The economics debate, Ecosystem Services,1(1): 40-49.Suitable for English stream
7.
Gómez-Baggethun, E., Berta Martín-López (2015) Ecological economics perspectives on ecosystem services valuation. In book: Handbook of Ecological Economics (Ch.11) by Joan Martínez-Alier, Roldan Muradian (Eds.). Edward Elgar.Suitable for English stream
8.
Harris, J.M., Brian Roach, and Anne-Marie Codur. [2017] EXTRA MODULE: The Economics of Global Climate ChangeSuitable for English stream
9.
Jeroen C.J.H. Aerts, W.J. Wouter Botzen, Hans de Moel, Malcolm Bowman (2013) Cost estimates for flood resilience and protection strategies in New York City. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1294(1):1-104Suitable for English stream
10.
Kemp-Benedict, E. [2019]. EXTRA MODULE: Green Macroeconomics: Growth and Distribution in a Finite WorldSuitable for English stream
11.
Kothuis, B., Nikki Brand, A.G. Sebastian, Anne Loes Nillesen, Bas Jonkman (2015) Delft Delta Design: The Houston Galveston Bay Region, Texas, USA. TU Delft, ISBN 978 94 6186 490 1.Suitable for English stream
12.
Rothman, D.S. (2000) Measuring Environmental Values and Environmental Impacts: Going from the Local to the Global. Climatic Change 44: 351.Suitable for English stream
13.
Silva, Monaliza da (2018). Compensation Awards in International Environmental Law: Two Recent Developments, 50 N.Y.U. J. Int’l L. & Pol. 1417.Suitable for English stream
14.
Sunstein, Cass R. (2013) The Real World of Cost-Benefit Analysis: Thirty-Six Questions (and Almost as Many Answers). Harvard Public Law Working Paper No. 13-11.Suitable for English stream
15.
Tsimopoulou, V., Jonkman, S.N., et al. (2012). A multi-layered safety perspective on the tsunami disaster in Tohoku, Japan. In: Comprehensive Flood Risk Management, Klijn & Schweckendiek (eds.). Taylor & Francis Group, LondonSuitable for English stream
16.
Weitzman, Martin L. (2009). On modeling and interpreting the economics of catastrophic climate change. Review of Economics and Statistics 91(1): 1-19.Suitable for English stream