VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Economics of Sustainable Development
Ökonomische Theorie der Nachhaltigkeit
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:19:18
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
- Levels
- DS , BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Ökonomische Theorie der Nachhaltigkeit |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
-
Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (In order to be awarded credits, please register under "Pflichtwahlfach GESS"!. The language courses are offered by the ETH and University of Zurich Language Center.)
-
-
Compulsory Electives GESS (Categorically all students at ETH Zurich are required to obtain 8 credit points (ECTS) within the frame of this elective course program throughout their studies; 6 credit points during the bachelor and 2 for the master. Some of the lectures are part of other departments’ curricula. Further information can be found in the course catalog or at the particular student offices.)
-
-
-
-