ECN181-B Sustainable Economics

Climate change, loss of biodiversity and various types of pollution are negatively affecting the conditions for life on Earth. We are facing a crisis of global dimensions and great demands are placed on us in the coming decades to avoid our living conditions becoming very difficult.

Sustainability is about maintaining or improving the living conditions for future generations. In this course, we ask the fundamental questions: What is it that makes the existing economic system create such extensive environmental problems? And, what could an economy look like where human production and consumption are adapted to the limits set by nature?

Upon completion of the course, the student shall have the following total learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of different aspects of the concept of sustainability and how the concept is understood in different academic perspectives
• is familiar with economic theory that takes into account natural resources and institutional frameworks in the analysis of a sustainable economy
• has knowledge of the economic processes that contribute to global environmental challenges

Skills

The student

• can describe why it is necessary to include the natural environment and institutional frameworks to achieve a sustainable economy
• can communicate about the concept of sustainable economy and how the concept can be practiced and interpreted in different ways
• can reflect on how today's economic systems and institutions relate to and influence environmental challenges
• can use theoretical knowledge to analyze environmental policy instruments
• can critically evaluate proposals for system changes that can make the economy more sustainable

General competence

The student

• can communicate about the interaction between economic actors' actions and the limitations imposed by nature
• can contribute to the discussion of whether the sustainability problem is primarily a technological problem or a value issue
• can argue for how an interdisciplinary approach contributes to the understanding of what is required of economic organization to handle sustainability challenges