ECC3640 · Economics of climate change

Overview

Explore the multifaceted economic dimensions of climate change in this comprehensive unit. You'll delve into the impacts and economic costs of climate change, conduct global cost-benefit analyses, and critically evaluate the limitations of integrated assessment models. Investigate the state of international climate agreements through a game theoretic lens, understand carbon budgets and transition pathways, and critically assess various policy instruments, including carbon taxes, emission trading schemes, and emission standards. Additionally, you'll examine adaptation strategies to address the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. This unit provides a robust academic foundation for understanding and addressing one of the most critical issues facing our world today.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. understand how climate change affects various economic sectors across countries and regions, identify the challenges in translating impacts into economic costs and explain their implications for global climate policy
2. apply simple game theory to analyse and understand the current state of international agreements on climate change
3. contrast the efficiency and equity implications of different policy instruments, including emission standards, carbon taxes, and emission trading schemes, and leverage this knowledge to critique climate change policy
4. assess how policy can support adaptation and provide examples of efficient adaptation practices.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.