ENV-723 / 1 credit

Teacher: Vöhringer Frank

Language: English

Remark: Next time: Spring 2025, Min. 5 persons


Frequency

Every 2 years

Summary

Mainly based on the discussion of peer reviewed academic papers, the course introduces non economists to the main types of applied models used in environmental economic analysis: linear programming, partial and general equilibrium, game theory, and agent based models.

Content

For each type of applied environmental economic model, there is a brief general introduction, followed by a discussion of a peer-reviewed academic paper on an applied topic using that type of model.

Families of models presented and discussed:

- Linear programming (paper topic: acidification; model features in paper: spatial)

- Partial equilibrium (paper topic: timber industry and wildlife conservation; model features in paper: integrated assessment)

- Computable general equilibrium (paper topic: carbon taxes; model features in paper: multi-regional)

- Game-theoretic (paper topic: climate negotiations; model features in paper: cooperation)

- Agent-based (paper topic: adoption of residential photovoltaics; model features in paper: spatial, bounded rationality)

Keywords

environmental economics
economic modeling

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Some prior familiarity in applied modeling of any kind or in economics is an advantage, but not a formal prerequisite.

Recommended courses

ENV-610 Ecological Economics or

ENV-724 Climate Economics for Engineers

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • to understand the differences between simulation and optimisation models
  • to describe the main characteristics of each model type
  • to discuss the main merits and limitations of each modeling approach
  • to recognize attributes of well written papers

Resources

Bibliography

Cofala, J. et al. (2004) : Cost-effective control of SO2 emissions in Asia, Journal of Environmental Management 72, 149-161.

Nalle, D.J. et al. (2004): Modeling joint production of wildlife and timber, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 48, 997-1017.

Beck, M. et al. (2015): Carbon tax and revenue recycling: Impacts on households in British Columbia, Resource and Energy Economics 41, 40-69.

Carraro, C. et al. (2006): Optimal transfers and participation decisions in international environmental agreements, The Review of International Organizations 1, 379-396.

Rai, V. and S.A. Robinson (2015): Agent-based modeling of energy technology adoption: Empirical integration of social, behavioral, economic, and environmental factors, Environmental Modelling & Software 70, 163-177.

Ressources en bibliothèque

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Exam form: Oral presentation (session free)
  • Subject examined: Models for applied environmental economics
  • Lecture: 13 Hour(s)
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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