Environmental Economics - BMEGT42M520

The course unit aims to augment and deepen the students’ previously acquired knowledge in micro- and macroeconomics in a more complex manner, such that the objectives of environmental protection and the vision of sustainable development may be exercised as a skill. Having completed this course unit, students will be able to make more balanced, fair, equitable, and socially and environmentally desirable decisions, but also to assess and evaluate decisions taken by others.

1. The student has knowledge of the basic, comprehensive concepts, theories, facts, national economic and international connections of environmental economics;
2. mastered the basic information collection and analysis methods of environmental economics, knows its characteristic indicators;
3. knows the basics of the environmental protection fields related to his field of expertise;
4. knows the most significant normative theories of environmental policy intervention: the Pigou theorem and the Coase tradition;
5. knows the types of environmental policy intervention solutions, their advantages and disadvantages. Knows the criteria according to which the appropriate intervention tool can be selected for a given environmental problem;
6. knows the possibilities of government failures in the planning of environmental policy interventions;
7. knows the more frequently used environmental economic analysis methods: natural capital and ecosystem service evaluation procedures, cost-benefit analysis solutions.

1. By applying the learned theories and methods, the student is able to evaluate the social welfare and economic consequences of any environmental use problem, to determine the necessary range of facts and data necessary for the evaluation;
2. after evaluating the characteristics of a given, arbitrary environmental use problem, is able to determine possible alternatives for environmental policy interventions suitable for solving the problem, after comparative analysis and evaluation of these alternatives, is able to independently propose the appropriate corporate response or public policy intervention;
3. follows and interprets world economic, international, EU and national economic policy and policy processes, and is able to interpret the effects of changes on the future state of natural resources based on these;
4. able to determine the complex consequences of economic processes and organizational events;
5. can apply techniques for solving environmental problems, problem solving methods, taking into account their application conditions and limitations;
6. able to cooperate with representatives of other fields;
7. is able to formulate specialist, scientific, business and public policy information in a comprehensible way, making it understandable to the wider public.

1. For the sake of quality work, the student demonstrates problem-sensitive, proactive behavior and takes the initiative;
2. receptive to receiving new information, new professional knowledge and methodologies, open to new tasks and responsibilities that require cooperation and independence. Strives to improve your knowledge and working relationships;
3. is open to changes in the broader economic and social environment of the given job, work organization, enterprise, strives to follow and understand the changes;
4. receptive to the opinions of others, to sectoral, regional, national and European values (including social, social and ecological, sustainability aspects).

1. The student assumes responsibility for his analyses, conclusions and decisions;
2. assumes responsibility for compliance with professional, legal and ethical standards and rules related to work and conduct.

Lectures, problem discussions and case studies. Oral and written communication, use of IT, optional individual and group assignments and planning.

• Bartus Gábor - Szalai Ákos: Környezet, jog, gazdaságtan. Budapest: Pázmány Press, 2014.
• Szlávik János (szerk.): Fenntartható környezet- és erőforrás-gazdálkodás. Környezetvédelmi kiskönyvtár 14. Complex kiadó, Budapest, 2005.
• Tietenberg, Tom – Lewis, Lynne: Environmental & Natural Resource Economics. 10th Edition. Pearson, 2014
• Phaneuf, D. J. – Requate, T.: A course in environmental economics. Theory, Policy and Practice. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
• Folyóiratcikkek és további, folyamatosan kiadott oktatástámogató anyagok
• A detailed and up-to-date list is provided during classes.

The two pillars of the evaluation of learning outcomes set out in point 2.2. are: 1. a formative assessment showing analysis and planning skills (preparation of a work plan); 2. as well as a summative assessment of the competencies acquired during the semester (handing in an exam paper).

A. Detailed description of performance evaluations during the study period: Formative assessment (preparation of a work plan): preparation of the work plan related to the exam paper. B. Detailed description of the performance evaluations carried out during the exam period: A complex, written evaluation of the knowledge and ability-type competency elements of the subject in the form of an exam paper. The exam paper focuses on the assessment of the acquired basic knowledge and the exploration of the knowledge of the determining relations. The material on which the evaluation is based on is determined by the lecturer of the subject.

• formative assessment (preparation of the work plan): 10
• total: 10

• written exam: 90
• total: 90

Condition for receiving a signature: preparation and approval of the course lecturer regarding the work plan of the exam paper.

1) Pursuant to the current CoS, in the case of formative assessments, if the assignment was submitted on time, it is possible to repeat or retake it before the end of the late completion period, if the original task has already been accepted by the instructor. 2) Formative assessments can be submitted late. The latest date for late submission is the last day of the late completion period. 3) Retake, repeat and late completion of exams is possible according to paragraphs 121 and 123 of the CoS.

Consulted with the Faculty Student Representative Committee, approved by the Vice Dean for Education, valid from: 06.05.2024.

Subject includes the topics detailed in the course syllabus to ensure learning outcomes listed under 2.2. to be achieved. The schedule of topics in the course curriculum in each semester may be affected by the calendar and other constraints.