Ecological Economics

Abstract

Students become acquainted with the central questions and basics of Ecological Economics. By means of selected environmental problems they learn how these are analysed within the field of Ecological Economics. Students are made familiar with methods of problem resolution (e.g. economic instruments, institutional arrangements, governmental activities) and learn to apply these to concrete problems.

Objective

In this lecture students become acquainted with the central questions and basics of Ecological Economics. With the example of selected environmental problems (e.g. land-use change, loss of biodiversity, climate change) they learn how these are analysed within the field of Ecological Economics. Students are made familiar with methods of problem resolution (e.g. economic instruments, institutional arrangements, governmental activities) and learn how to apply these to concrete problems.

Content

1 Basic problems and questions of Ecological Economics (scale, distribution, llocation) are introduced and research topics of key precursors and representatives of Ecological Economics are presented; 2 Axioms of Ecological Economics such as the conception of ecologic-economic systems, the concept of entropy, substitutability, uncertainty, and the idea of man and criteria of welfare are presented and analysed; 3 Selected environmental problems at different spatial levels (e.g. loss of biodiversity and homogenisation of the biota at the international, regional, local level) are explained with various analytical approaches (e.g. economies of scale, subsidies and other financial incentives, property rights); 4 Problem solving approaches are presented. The potential of approaches such as market-based instruments, normative regulations, solutions by negotiation, institutional arrangements, as well as markets for environmental products are investigated.

Resources