The objective of this course is to expand students’ knowledge on theoretical bases of environmental economics and environmental management. In addition to theoretical and practical elaboration of elements of integrated spatial and environmental planning and management, student will envisage the possibility of usage of GIS technology. Special attention is drawn to acquisition of knowledge on theoretical key features of economics of sustainable development as well as studying international and national environmental policy.

Correspondence and correlation with other programs

University of Torino, Faculty of Economics - Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy (IT)

University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Faculty of Economics – Environmental Policy (IT); Tilburg University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration – Environmental Economics (NL); Corvinus University of Budapest – Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy (H); Wageningen University – International Environmental Policy, Economics and Management of Natural Resources (NL); Vrije Univeriteit Amsterdam – Environmental Policy and Management (NL); Masaryk University, Brno, Faculty of Economics and Administration - Environmental Economics (CZ); University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics and Econometrics, Tinbergen Institute – Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (NL)

University of Oslo, Faculty of Social Science, Department of Economics – Resource Economics (NO)

Course content

Scientific and theoretical bases of environmental economics (Key features of environmental economics. Micro-economic aspects of environmental economics. Environmental evaluation and assessing environmental damage. Macro-economic considerations and the environment)

Theoretical and analytical bases of environmental management (Management of renewable and non-renewable resources. Management of air, soil and water quality. Special-area management)

Theoretical elaboration of efficiency and safety standards (Defining standards. Introducing the Coase theorem. Defining ethical basis of efficiency standard. Defining safety rights)

Key features of sustainable development (Economical and ecological basis of sustainable development. Financing of sustainable development. Pollution-related restrictions to economic growth)

Neoclassical and ecological view to sustainability (Measuring sustainability. Depreciation of natural capital. Future benefits, costs and discounting)

Integrated spatial and environmental planning and management (Concept and aim of spatial planning. Transportation and energy policies. Local and regional development policies. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in decision-making in spatial, economic and environmental issues)

Environmental law (Concept of environmental law and its position in the legal system. Principles of environmental law. Environmental protection in civil and criminal law. International environmental legislation. Tax system and the environment)

New state role in environmental protection (Political economics of the environmental law. Implementation and monitoring of environmental law. Environmental policy in Croatia)

International environmental policy (Principles, objectives and policy-makers. International environmental policy act. Environmental policy in the EU and transition countries)

Modes of instruction (mark in bold)

Lectures

Seminars and workshops

Exercises

Independent work

Multimedia and the Internet

Distance learning

Consultations

Laboratory work

Tutorials

Field work

Comments: Group work: attending lectures and seminars

Individual work: consultations, tutorials and seminar paper/ research work

Field work: visit to the major environmental pollution firms and/or institutions dealing with environmental protection/ monitorig.

Development of general and specific competences, knowledge and skills

Students acquire further knowledge on micro-economical and macro-economical aspects of environmental economics. They gain knowledge that enables them to recognise crucial environmental development issues and to create, through integrated spatial and environmental planning and management, preconditions for implementation of international and national environmental policies. Examining theoretical and practical knowledge on sustainable development, students acquire knowledge needed to comprehend, recognise and implement international community’s policy of sustainable development.