Klimaatsverandering, beleid en economie

The course provides an introduction to the political economy of climate change. It investigates national and international climate change mitigation and adaptation policies from an economic perspective, using major concepts from ecological and environmental economics. Particular emphasis is put on the role of societal choices in pursuing such policies.

Questions addressed in the course include the following: What are the costs and benefits of climate change mitigation policies (or the lack thereof)? Should countries reduce CO2 emissions with carbon taxes? Or should they opt for a cap-and-trade mechanism, or rather rely on direct regulations? What are the arguments to choose one instrument, above the others? Is there an economic rational for subsidising solar and wind power? Why is it so hard to sign environmental agreements such as 'Kyoto' and 'Paris' despite the high stakes? Will European industry relocate abroad at a big scale if the EU acts as a first mover in carbon pricing? How can a green industrial policy strategy contribute to mitigating climate change?