ECO8012 Tools and Techniques for Sustainable Development

Other requisites

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm.

Synopsis

This course is concerned with the policy tools that governments use to try to achieve sustainable development and how businesses and individuals may react to those tools. The course stresses the complementary nature of economic and environmental systems, and examines the growing recognition of the importance of natural resources and the environment in economic policy decision making. Government intervention in markets is an integral element in the drive for sustainable development, and managers as well as individuals should be aware of the importance of these policies. Policy tools can be considered in three groups: decentralized policies such as liability laws, property rights and voluntary action; 'command and control' strategies such as standards and regulations; and market-based programs such as taxes, subsidies and tradable pollution permits. Important examples of these policies in Australia in 2013 are the mineral resource rent tax and the carbon market. This course examines the nature and impact of each of these policies, discusses criteria for evaluating their effectiveness in achieving their goals, and considers their appropriateness for particular aspects of sustainable development.

Course offers