This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module ECON3161: Environmental Economics and Policy

Department: Economics

ECON3161: Environmental Economics and Policy

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	3	20	Available in 2025/2026		Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

Microeconomics (ECON2021) OR Economic Theory (ECON2291)

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

To provide, by building on the skills and knowledge from level 2, an understanding of the contribution of economic analysis to the solution of environmental problems. In addition, it seeks to provide students with the skills necessary to analyse and discuss current policy issues concerning the protection of the environment.

Content

In addition to presenting the background to the problem of environmental degradation, externalities and public goods, topics are likely to be drawn from the following list:
Double dividends of environmental taxation
Voluntary agreements
International environmental problems
Economics of natural resources
Kuznets curves
Non-point source pollution
Forestry economics
The political economy of environmental policy

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

At the end of the module the students will be able to:
Understand the contribution of economic analysis to the solution of environmental problems
Understand the role of free markets and/or government intervention to deal with environmental problems
Develop a critical knowledge of the protection of the environment from an economic standpoint

Subject-specific Skills

At the end of the module, students will be able to:
make use of algebra and graphical analysis.
analyse environmental economics issues.
discuss current political strategies for the protection of the environment.

Key Skills

Written Communication - through summative assessment.
Planning, Organisation and Time Management - by preparing for examinations.
Problem Solving and Analysis - e.g. by applying the necessary analytical and quantitative skills, as well as the ability to manipulate concepts in environmental economics and policy, in undertaking assessed work.
Numeracy - e.g. by applying core mathematical and statistical skills to answer a range of examination questions.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching is by lectures, seminars and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes, and private study. Formative assessment to help prepare for the examination. Summative assessment is by means of an in-person examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	20	1 every 2 weeks	2 hours	20
Revision Classes	2	1 per week	1 hour	2
Seminars	8	4 in term 1, 4 in term 2	1 hour	8	Yes
Preparation and Reading				170
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	100%	On Campus Written Examination	2 hours	100%

Formative Assessment

One piece of work to prepare students for the summative examination e.g. presentations.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.