In this course we will analyze current environmental challenges from a political economy and distributional perspective. We will first deal with the economics of climate change and identify some challenges for climate policy and international climate negotiations. We will distinguish between different climate policy options and focus on policies that increase the price of carbon, e.g. taxes and marketable permits. We will then move toward climate justice and environmental justice, and analyze socioeconomic disparities in environmental quality and disaster vulnerability. In the last section, we will compare different indicators to measure economic, social, and environmental progress.

After completion of this course, students will have an overview of current debates in environmental and ecological economics as well as current environmental policy options.

Attendance is mandatory in this course.

Lectures, student presentations, and class discussions

• Presentation & handout (40%)
• Comment on other group's presentation (10%)
• Submission of weekly discussion questions (20%)
• Short quizzes (10%)
• Class participation (20%)