Models for applied environmental economics
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
- Carbon tax and revenue recycling: Impacts on households in British Columbia, In: Resource and Energy Economics
- Agent-based modeling of energy technology adoption: Empirical integration of social, behavioral, economic, and environmental factors, In: Environmental Modelling & Software
- Optimal transfers and participation decisions in international environmental agreements, In: The Review of International Organizations
- Modeling joint production of wildlife and timber, In: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management
- Cost-effective control of SO2 emissions. In: Asia, Journal of Environmental Management 72, 149-161
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Exam form: Oral presentation (session free)
- Subject examined: Models for applied environmental economics
- Lecture: 13 Hour(s)
- Type: optional