In this course, students gain a deeper understanding of ecological economics. The course focuses on the question of how economies and societies can be transformed towards climate-neutrality according to the targets set for 2040 and 2050, respectively, while keeping other biophysical limits in mind. Within this framework, different transformation paths and policy packages are presented, which are derived from different schools of economic thought (neoclassical environmental economics and green growth, as well as ecological economics and post-growth / degrowth).

In addition, students will be equipped with the necessary tools to empirically analyse issues of ecological economics. To this end, students will be familiarised with the programming language R. Over the course of the semester, students will learn how to approach and analyse various data sets relevant to issues of interaction between the economy and the environment. As part of their participation, students actively learn to program using R in class. They will form groups that will focus on analysing specific data sets and issues (e.g. decoupling).

First half – Theoretical foundation

Ecological economics: The economy and the limits of our planet

Understanding nature in economics (neoclassical environmental economics and ecological economics)

Transformation paths and climate & environmental protection measures (green growth and post-growth or degrowth)

Post-growth economics 

Second half – Methods & application

Empirical methods: Data analysis in R

Workshop and group collaboration (R)

Final presentations

Students gain a deeper understanding of ecological economics and post-growth economics. In addition, students are introduced to quantitative methods using R.

Compulsory attendance (at least 80% of course units)

- Inputs from course instructor

- Group work

- Presentations in small groups

- Discussions on selected topics

- Background research and reading of selected literature

Paper: short presentation & reflection (30%)

Group work: 2000-word document & R-script (40%)

Group presentation: presenting results (30%)

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.