Environmental economics
Summary
Introduction to economic analysis applied to environmental issues: all the necessary basic concepts, including cost-benefit analysis, for environmental policy making and its instruments (examples: climate, waste, mobility). Introduction to financial calculation applied to project evaluation.
Content
Introduction to economic analysis: Actors, supply, demand / Markets and prices / Price and quantity regulation
Introduction to environmental policy: Cost-benefit analysis, objectives / Instruments for environmental policy / Comparison of instruments
Applications: Swiss climate policy (CO2 Act) / Waste management / Mobility pricing
Introduction to financial calculation: Arbitrage, discounting / Net present value / Risk, diversification
Project evaluation: Investment, costs (Capex, Opex) / Amortization and depreciation / Financial comparison of projects
Applications: Energy retrofitting of buildings / Reparation vs replacement / Student personal projects
Keywords
environmental economics, environmental policy, cost-benefit analysis, project evaluation, financial calculus
Learning Prerequisites
Important concepts to start the course
Basic algebra and using a spreadsheet such as Excel.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Explain price formation
- Compare environmental policy instruments
- Argue for an environmental policy
- Compute the profitability of engineering projects
- Solve small mathematical problems
Transversal skills
- Take account of the social and human dimensions of the engineering profession.
- Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
- Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
Teaching methods
In-depth teaching and educational support.
Expected student activities
Participate actively in class, learn the basic financial concepts from a MOOC in French with English subtitles.
Assessment methods
Intermediate exam (1/2 of grade) and final exam (1/2 of grade).
Supervision
Office hours | No |
Assistants | No |
Forum | Yes |
Resources
Notes/Handbook
Slides will be made available on a Moodle page
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
- Subject examined: Environmental economics
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
- Subject examined: Environmental economics
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
- Subject examined: Environmental economics
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks