Pakistan Institute of Development Economics - Environmental Economics

Environmental Economics

For the sustainable economic development, for the current and future generations, profound knowledge of the issues of Environment and Resource Use is critical. The aim of the teaching programme in Environmental Economics is to create awareness and train the students, researchers and practitioners to conduct research, using the concepts and tools of economics, on issues related to Environmental Economics and Climate Change. The teaching curriculum focuses on developing the role and application of economic approaches for environmental issues, essential features of the market mechanism to control environmental degradation for sustainable economic development, the nature and treatment of environmental effects in economic reasoning and decision-making, and the application of environmental policy instruments based on economic analysis. The course work is based on contemporary environmental management approaches (e.g. ecological modernization, ecological economics, and industrial ecology) with substantial (physical) economy dimensions. Keeping in view the current lack of awareness and knowledge of Environmental issues, the MS Environmental Economics Programme is designed to:

Impart a sound understanding of the nexus between the economy and the environment; Teach major concepts and theories to explain and describe the economic behaviour of human beings and its impact on the environment. Outline and contrast the major economic schools of thought on the environment, and highlight the weaknesses of each market system (especially with regard to environmental aspects) and discuss the associated role of the government in the economy. Supply high quality personnel to the federal and provincial governments, to educational institutions, to research institutions and to the private sector. After successfully completing this programme the students should:

Have a basic understanding for the measurement of net social impact of alternative environmental options. Be able to apply economic tools for valuation and other non-economic decision-making tools; and also distinguish between economic valuation tools and policy instruments. Describe, critically review, and engage in the appropriate selection of the major existing economic tools for environmental management. Be familiar with the essential features of the range of contemporary conceptual frameworks and sustainability assessment approaches with a significant economic component.