Economics of Environmental and Climate Policy

This course focuses on the relationship between economics and the environment, aiming to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand, analyze, and address pressing environmental challenges. Students will explore the economic reasons behind environmental problems and critically examine policy options to mitigate their impact. Given that Duke in Berlin is situated in the heart of Europe, the course will highlight the relationship between economic activity and its environmental impact through a European and German lens, integrating empirical evidence on policy instruments from those regions (e.g., German carbon pricing, EU ETS, low emission zones). Since many environmental issues are often the result of or stand in conflict with economic interests, this course also reflects on the ethical implications of human behaviors and their relationship to environmental policy.