ØASØK4200 Environmental Economics Emneplan

Economic activities impact the environment. Plastics end up in the ocean, producing one T-shirt consumes thousands of liters of water, and salmon farmers pour toxic chemicals into the seas to fight lice infestations. Economists see the natural world around them as providing environmental goods and services that we all enjoy, such as a lake to swim in, drinking water, or a forest that filters the air. Pollution to an economist is an unintended byproduct of activities that are otherwise desirable, like flying to New York, assembling computers, or eating dinner.

This course teaches students to think like economists about a wide range of environmental problems, from small, local ones to the biggest one of them all, climate change. Students learn about the economics of environmental regulation. We can try to reduce pollution in many ways: by providing information, `nudging´ people to `do the right thing´, subsidizing clean technologies, taxing emissions, creating cap-and-trade markets, banning substances, or signing up to international environmental agreements. The students learn how pollution crossing borders complicates the picture, and how trading goods affects where - and how much - pollution takes place. They will consider what taxing pollution means for other parts of the economy, and they will think about how green technologies are developed.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.

None

MT2 is dedicated to the project work, for example, development, data collection and analysis, depending on the specific projects. In addition to a written report, project status and the results achieved will be presented orally at an internal mini-conference affiliated with the programme.

Professor Pedro Lind

Master¿s Thesis, Long - MT1 (Phase 1) must have been passed before the student can start work with MT2.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student:

• has specialized knowledge on the specific areas of their Master thesis

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can plan and carry out limited research or development projects
• can identify types and scopes of results which are required to ensure the claims and conclusions are scientifically valid
• can reflect on the decisions made and their consequences for the project

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can carry out projects according to a defined project plan
• can carry out projects on the basis of a problem statement and defined research questions
• can carry out comprehensive independent study

The project plan, literature study, problem statement and research questions from MT1 (Phase 1) forms the basis for MT2. The work is carried out under the guidance of the supervisor appointed at the start of MT1.

None.

One individual report with recommended size of 5000-10000 words. This should be a suitable and qualified document with systematically documented research, including research methodology, project results and ethical considerations, according to the project plan from Phase I.

The exam grade can be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for applying for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

All aids are permitted.

Assessment is pass or fail.