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351-0532-00L 3 Credits
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Economics of Sustainable Development

Ökonomische Theorie der Nachhaltigkeit

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Lucas Bretschger, Prof. Dr. Karen Pittel
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:10:00

Abstract

Concepts and indicators of sustainable development, paradigms of weak and strong sustainability;neoclassical and endogenous growth models;pollution, environmental policy and growth;role of substitution possibilities and technological progress;Environmental Kuznets Curve: concept, theory and empirical results;economic growth in the presence of exhaustible and renewable resources.

Objective

The aim is to develop an understanding of the implications of sustainable development for the long-run development of economies. It is to be shown to which extent the potential for growth to be sustainable depends on substitution possibilities, technological change and environmental policy.

Content

The lecture introduces different concepts and paradigms of sustainable development. Building on this foundation and following a general introduction to the modelling of economic growth, conditions for growth to be sustainable in the presence of pollution and scarce natural resources are derived. Special attention is devoted to the scope for substitution and role of technological progress in overcoming resource scarcities. Implications of environmental externalities are regarded with respect to the design of environmental policies. Concepts and indicators of sustainable development, paradigms of weak and strong sustainability, sustainability optimism vs. pessimism; introduction to neoclassical and endogenous growth models; pollution, environmental policy and growth; role of substitution possibilities and technological progress; Environmental Kuznets Curve: concept, theory and empirical results; economic growth in the presence of exhaustible and renewable resources, Hartwick rule, resource saving technological change.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Will be provided successively in the course of the semester.

Literature

Bretschger, F. (1999), Growth Theory and Sustainable Development, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. Bretschger, L. (2004), Wachstumstheorie, Oldenbourg, 3. Auflage, München. Perman, R., Y. Ma, J. McGilvray and M. Common (2003), Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, Longman , 3d ed., Essex. Neumayer, E. (2003), Weak and Strong Sustainability, 2nd ed., Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

General Information

Language
German
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Ökonomische Theorie der Nachhaltigkeit
  • Tue 17:15-19:00 (HG E 41)
2 h weekly

Offered In