SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS - BMEGT42M104

The course unit aims to introduce students to the fundamental environmental and natural resource based prob-lems that our contemporary society must face. Starting out from the economic basics, through a review of case studies to future-conscious decisions, students will gain an insight into environmental and natural resource economics. It is the objective of the course to empower students to understand the global events related to sustainable development and climate change, and to afford them the capability of taking fair, balanced and socially beneficial decisions.

1. The student understands the importance of the economic approach in the transition to sustainable devel-opment.
2. The student is aware of the decision-making approach in economics.
3. The student has a basic knowledge of environmental valuations and its primary methods.
4. The student understands static and dynamic efficiency, and the decision-making it supports.
5. The student is aware of the problem of time frames in the decision making process. In particular, the stu-dent is acutely aware of the consequences of very long time frames.
6. The student understands the basic interrelations of resource management, fundamental problems and possible solutions. They are aware of the role and availability of substitutes, and the cost factor.
7. They understand the necessity of an energy transformation, its drivers, opportunities and limitations.
8. They are aware of the necessity of recycling, and are informed about the opportunities and limitations in the recyclability of certain substances and materials.
9. They understand the particularities of the fundamental resources necessary for the sustenance of human existence, such as water, air, soil and agricultural land. 1
10. The student understands the opportunities and contemporary challenges in food production, fishing and hunting, agricultural production and forestry, including local and global trends. 1
11. They comprehend the economics of pollution control, including that of local and regional, diffused, global and mobile sources, and possess an essential toolkit for their management. 1
12. The student understands the problems arising from the production, handling and storage of wastes, in-cluding harmless, toxic and nuclear wastes, and their economic, social and environmental implications to the present and future. 1
13. The student understands the basic environmental processes behind climate change, its phenomena and consequences, and the institutions and objectives humanity has established for its mitigation. 1
14. The student understands the objectives of humankind for the 21st century, the main shapers of sustainable development, issues of population and population growth conflicts, and the trajectories of mankind’s future.

1. The student is sensitive towards and is capable of solidarity with future generations, and is capable of taking future-conscious, fair and equitable decisions.
2. The student is capable of drawing up economic, social and environmental plans for the future, and is competent at assessing these.
3. They are capable of assessing decisions taken from an economic, social and environmental aspect, bearing in mind the impacts on future generations.
4. They are able to manage resources sustainably.
5. They are competent in recognising problems arising from pollution, and are capable of finding appro-priate solutions.
6. The student comprehends the basics of climate change, and is capable of taking decisions accordingly.
7. They are capable of foreseeing the challenges of the 21st century, and are capable of taking preventative, preservative or regenerative measures.

1. The students are able to work individually: selecting methods and techniques; organizing, planning, coordinating work; collecting, organizing, analysing, evaluating data; developing in general and professionally
2. The students are able to apply system-oriented thinking.
3. The students are able to take responsibility for the analyses, conclusions, decisions made.
4. The students are able to perform tasks individually and with responsibility as a member of a project team.
5. The student aims to overcome all and any shortcomings in any adjoining disciplines and knowledge areas, including natural sciences, philosophy or social and economic studies.

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
• Folyóiratcikkek és további, folyamatosan kiadott oktatástámogató anyagok
• A detailed and up-to-date list is provided during classes.

Assessment of the learning outcomes described under 2.2. is based on two mid-term summative assessments and a final examination.

Two mid-term assessments must be completed. These will assess the basic knowledge of students, and serves as a check of the understanding of basic concepts, terms and relationships. Students will be offered a recommended grade based on their performance on the two assessments. Should they accept this, they are exempted from taking the written exam.

• Mid-term assessment 1: 50%
• Mid-term assessment2: 50%
• total: 100%

• This applies for the student accepting the recommended grade. If they choose not to accept the rec-ommended grade, they will have to take an exam, which will cover 100% of their grade.: 100

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• Both of the tests may be retaken as per the relevant by-laws on performance assessment and examination. • A second retake opportunity will be provided upon payment of a fee.

Consulted with the Faculty Student Representative Committee, approved by the Vice Dean for Education, valid from: 04.10.2021.

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.