F1ES 4015 - Applied Environmental and Ecological Macroeconomics

This course targets students in economics and sustainability studies, aiming to deepen their understanding of economics applied to environmental issues and the integration of sustainability dimensions. It goes beyond the standard framework of contemporary economics by exploring alternative approaches to address current environmental challenges. The first part examines climate change within the economic analytical framework, including its effects, responses such as carbon taxes, and considerations of climate justice. It also explores ecological economics and its implications for sustainability and ecosystem preservation. The second part discusses constructing structural policies for a low-carbon transition, including scenario building, evaluation through macroeconomic models, and studying redistributive effects. The final part presents debates between green growth and degrowth within different frameworks and their influence on modern macroeconomics through ecological macroeconomics.

Learning Outcomes :
● Acquire a comprehensive understanding of the historical evolution of economic thought regarding environmental and ecological challenges.
● Develop the ability to critically analyze mainstream economic models and contrast them with ecological macroeconomic frameworks.
● Understand and evaluate the concept of planetary boundaries and its integration into macroeconomic and climate policy modeling.
● Gain analytical tools to assess and compare national and international climate policy instruments (e.g., carbon pricing, redistribution mechanisms, climate clubs) in terms of cost-effectiveness, justice, and political feasibility.
● Identify the social and political dimensions of climate transitions, including fairness, inequality, and public acceptance (e.g., Yellow Vests, energy vouchers).
● Develop an interdisciplinary perspective on sustainability

Professional Skills :
● Analytical skill and critical mindset
● Collective work

Paul MALLIET,Meriem HAMDI-CHERIF,Benjamin LARGIER

Séminaire

English

Course workload :
- Attendance: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 8 hours a semester

None, but we expect a minimal understanding of mathematical notations

Autumn 2025-2026

Assessment:
Course Validation is based on three components: Two as part of continuous assessment and one through a final exam.
Continuous Assessment (50%):
As part of group work (ideally 3 people per group), students will be required to provide an argumented discussion on a specific issue or scientific article. In addition to a descriptive dimension, a critical analysis is expected in the presentation of this work.
The submission is divided into two parts:
● A relatively short written essay, between 3,000 and 4,000 words, presenting a structured analysis in sections (25% of the overall grade).
● An oral presentation lasting 15 minutes (20% of the overall grade), followed by a Q&A session (5% of the overall grade).
Final Assessment: (50%):
An individual assignment in the form of a written exam lasting 2 hours, composed of two parts:
● The first part consists of a multiple-choice questionnaire (25% of the final grade).
● The second part involves writing a short essay on a topic to be chosen from several proposed options (25% of the final grade).

Pedagogical and feedback format
Main moments of pedagogical and feedback will be hold during :
● Conclusion session: discussion and criticism
● Group presentations with direct feedback
● Comments on final essays