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Advances in Sustainability Economics
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:38
Abstract
Achieving sustainable development is a key challenge for the 21st century. Economics is crucial both for understanding sustainability challenges and for helping to develop solutions. This course will survey the research landscape on sustainability economics with input lectures. We will discuss developments at the frontier and facilitate the development and presentation of own research ideas.
Objective
Achieving sustainable development is a key challenge for the 21st century. Economics is crucial both for understanding sustainability challenges and for helping to develop sustainability solutions. This course will survey the research landscape on sustainability economics with input lectures. Students will present and critically discuss recent papers, and will work on and present their own research designs or explorations. . After taking this course, students will be able to: - Understand and be able to reflect on the historical roots of Sustainability Economics and its relation to related fields - Analyse and critically discuss recent contributions at the research frontier - Apply prior knowledge and skills to research challenges in Sustainability Economics - Present own research designs to address sustainability challenges or solutions
Content
The target group for this course consists of PhD students with an active interest in Sustainability Economics, i.e. how to understand and manage the relationship between humans and nature with economic tools such that both human-made and natural resource, goods and services are not only used non-wastefully but also equitably. Ideal prerequisites are a graduate-level training in core economics courses as well as knowledge of Environmental, Resource, and/or Climate Economics at the graduate level. PhD students with more interdisciplinary backgrounds as well as exceptionally interested master students are also welcome to participate. This course will move from a textbook understanding of Environmental and Resource Economics to the research frontier in Sustainability Economics. We will cover a range of both theoretical and empirical approaches and a broad field of applications, including but not limited to climate change, biodiversity loss or air pollution. By means of around six interactive lecture units, we will survey and explore the research landscape of Sustainability Economics. Subsequently, students will present and/or critically discuss recent contributions at the research frontier, published in both leading economics as well as general science journals. In a final part, organized as a one-day block format, students will present own research ideas, designs or explorations. Assessment of the ungraded coursework therefore consists of (a) active participation, (b) presentation or critical discussion of a research paper from the literature, and (c) presentation of an own research idea.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Advances in Sustainability Economics | No time listed | 2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Doctorate Management, Technology, and Economics (More Information at: )
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