The lectures will be discussion-based combined with readings and lecture notes. Class readings will be assigned and a group of students is expected to present the reading:

Lecture 1: What is economics?

• Sectors of the economy
• Interactions of the sectors
• GDP and its components
• Climate-economy interactions

Lecture 2: Understanding the role of the environment and climate change

• Emissions versus pollutants
• Local versus global impacts
• Material flows and supply chains

Lecture 3: Climate policies I

• Climate action now or later?
• Understanding climate policies and their implications
• Carbon taxes, subsidies, green investments

Lecture 4: Supply chains

• Understanding global interlinkages and their climate impacts
• supply chains, trade

Lecture 5: Climate policies II

• Carbon leakages
• Cross-border emission flows
• border adjustment tariffs

Lecture 6: Climate Finance

• Finance and financial interactions, and systemic risk
• Financial regulations
• Enabling green investments
• Green Finance
• Systemic risks

Lecture 7: Summary of topics and final presentations

Lecture 8: Final presentations

After completing the course the students are aware of the environmental context of economic activities. They have a holistic perspective, seeing both the economy and society and human interactions embedded in biophysical systems. They understand the effects businesses have on these dimensions. Throughout the course, students learn to take into account the impact of their later actions on society and the natural environment, their social responsibility, and their contribution to long-term sustainable development goals. Students develop the ability to consider ethical, social and environmental issues implied in their decisions in both private and professional spheres. They acquire skills such as self-reflection, openness and sensitivity to diversity, and most importantly an understanding of causality. They learn to understand scientific evidence, conduct team projects effectively, to listen attentively and to present their ideas in convincing ways. Having completed the course, they are able to process information, to understand ideas and problems, to develop solutions and to communicate them to both expert and non-expert audiences. Extensive feedback from both the course instructors and peers helps students to understand their shortcomings and to improve.

During this course, the students will:

Gain a deeper understanding of the following concepts: causality, data and its limitations, basic economic concepts, decision-making while taking environment into account.

Be able to critically reflect on the concepts, and be able to communicate them both in the terms of discussions through in-class participations and in writing through a reflection paper.

Be able to use apply the knowledge gained during the course on a practical, “real-life” example.

Understand concepts of the dual environment-economy impacts, and ways to measure these interaction.

Related these to management practices and sustainability concepts.

The classes are in person and 80% attendance is compulsory. In case of absence, the lecturer has to be informed in advance.

Standard lectures on selected topics.

In class discussions.

Topic presentations.

25% class participation (active involvement in discussions).

35% in-class presentation

40% group topic paper (to be assigned during the class).

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Basic knowledge of economics, business, and management and a general interest in climate-related topics.

Appointment by email: snaqvi@wu.ac.at or asjadnaqvi@gmail.com