EC110-The Economics of Climate Change

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Stefania Lovo
Email: s.lovo@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module will offer an economic perspective on the causes and consequences of climate change. It will provide an introduction to key theoretical concepts, such as externalities and public goods, and to the policy tools available to devise adequate responses to climate change, such as command and control measures, taxation and subsidies. The module will also introduce national and international policy approaches in dealing with climate change and provide an overview of their implications for economic development.

Aims:
This module aims to introduce economics and non-economics students to the economics and policy issues of climate change.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, the student will be able to demonstrate:  an understanding of the analytical tools that economics offers to find adequate responses to climate change; an understanding of the analytical tools that economics offers to find adequate responses to climate change; the ability to critically evaluate current and proposed policies dealing with climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Following the introduction on the causes and consequences of climate change, a selection of topics from the following list will be covered. Theoretical concepts: externalities, public goods, economic efficiency. Environmental policy: implementation and performance, cost-benefit analysis, ethics of climate change, international agreements. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is delivered using a combination of recorded material, lectures, and online Q&A sessions. More specifically:

1. Recorded content material is posted on Blackboard at the beginning of each week.


2. A weekly 1-hour lecture will summarise the core material and, when appropriate, will provide interactive activities.


3. 3 online Q&A session will offer students the possibility to raise questions about the content of the modul e and the assessment. Students are also encouraged to submit questions ahead of the online sessions

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	3
Project Supervision	1
Guided independent study:	86
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Class test administered by School	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:
There is no final examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One in-class test, with a weight of 40% in the overall mark.

Group essay or excel project to be completed by the beginning of the Spring term. This will have a weight of 60% in the overall mark. 

Formative assessment methods:

Online quizzes on Blackboard

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A minimum mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment will be on the basis of a single independent project, related to a topic covered in the module. This will not be a re-submission of the earlier (group) project. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 July 2021