Environmental Policy Tools

Recommended Prerequisites

Background on Environmental Sciences or Environmental Engineering

Teaching Methods

Presentation of the subjects and discussion of case studies. Conferences delivered by environmental specialists (academics and professionals) in the definition and implementation of environmental policy tools previously introduced in this course unit.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge about the general principles of the environmental policies in Europe and around the World.

 

Understanding of the main tools applicable to the various environmental areas (e.g., air and water pollution, waste management and climate changes) at level of the definition of the government policies, the evaluation of planned interventions and the implementation of management strategies for the improvement of the environmental performance of the organizations.

 

Capability for participating in teams for the definition, evaluation and implementation of environmental policy tools.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Environmental policy principles

1.1. Introduction and historic perspective

1.2. General principles of the environmental policy

1.3. Environmental policy and sustainable development

 

2. Environmental political tools

2.1. Property rights

2.2. Command and control tools and economic incentives

2.3. Political packages and voluntary agreements

 

3. Environmental assessment tools

3.1. Strategic environmental assessment

3.2. Environmental impact assessment

 

4. Environmental management tools

4.1. Environmental management systems

4.2. Life cycle assessment

4.3. Communication of environmental performance

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria da Conceição Morais de Oliveira Cunha

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 50.0%
Synthesis work: 50.0%

Bibliography

Canter, L. (1996). Environmental Impact Assessment. McGraw-Hill.

Compton, P.; Devuyst, D.; Hens, L.; Nath, B. (1998). Environmental Management in Practice -  Vol 1: Instruments for Environmental Management. Routledge.

Glasson, J.; Therivel, R.; Chadwi, A. (2005). Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - 3rd Edition. Routledge.

Hurrell, A.; Kingsbury, B. (1992). The International Politics of the Environment. Oxford University Press.

Hussen, A. (2013). Principles of Environmental Economics and Sustainability : An Integrated Economic and Ecological Approach - 3rd Edition. Routeledge.

Perman, R.; Ma, Y.; Common, M.; Maddison, D.; McGilvray, J. (2011). Natural Resource and Environmental Economics - 4th Edition. Pearson Education Limited.

Sadler, B.; Aschemann, R.; Dusik, J.; Fischer, T.H.; Partidário, M.R.; Verheem, R. (2011). Handbook of Strategic Environmental Assessment. Earthscan.

Therivel, R. (2010). Strategic Environmental Assessment in Action - 2nd Edition. Earthscan.