The course consists of two main parts: i) THE GLOBAL CLIMATE REGIME AND CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS. Here we will discuss factors affecting the global climate negotiations, and assess various options being discussed. Topics include: 1. Economic costs of climate change - how to value future damage costs, og how to deal with risk and uncertainty? 2. Main principles for the global climate regime - emission quotas, global carbon tax etc. 3. Fair distribution of emissions obligations between countries. 4. The climate game - what is happening at the negotiation table and in the corridors? 5. Norway"s role in the climate negotiations. ii) NATIONAL CLIMATE POLICIES. 1. Policies to reduce climate emissions in Norway and the EU. 2. Climate and technology policies. 3. Carbon leakage from national climate policies. 4. Policies for implementing Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) in developing countries.

The course gives the students insights into environmental economics and game theory, applied to international climate negotiations and design of national climate policies. The aim is to show how economic methods may provide insights into the current climate debate, and to assess different policy options. Although the combination of theory and application is focused on the climate issues, the methodological part of the course will also be useful for other environmental issues.

Lectures including guest lecturers. Compulsory group term paper and presentation of this

Seminars

Selected journal articles

ECN 210 or an equivalent course in microeconomics

ECN 371 or an equivalent course in environmental regulation; and ECN170 (or ECN270) and ECN271 or equivalent courses in introductory environmental and resource economics and cost-benefit analysis/project evaluation.

Group term paper and presentation of this.

Oral exam. The grade is determined based on the term paper, the presentation of this, and the exam.

300 hours.

Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)

ECN370: 10 credits.

34-36 hours (incl presentations of term papers) + supervising term paper

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External Examiner for the oral examination.