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Students

ECON8017 – Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Economics

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rohan Best
rohan.best@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(Admission to MSusDev or GradCertResMQBS or GradDipResMQBS or MAppEc (1 year)) or ECON6049 or ECON6032 or ECON8091
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit explores key ecological economics and environmental management issues, stressing the complex nature of the ecosystem within which economic activity is embedded and the constraints imposed on the scale of human economic activity. Topics covered may include sustainability and sustainable development, limits to economic growth, the definition and measurement of welfare and economic progress, and the development of energy and climate change policies for a closed and rapidly changing world. The unit makes significant use of case studies and has an individual applied research component.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Apply advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
  • ULO2: Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
  • ULO3: Critically analyse the major theoretical approaches to the ecological analysis of environmental issues, the assumptions on which they are based and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters.
  • ULO4: Assess and compare policy alternatives to address issues of environmental sustainability from the perspective of ecological economics.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Skills development: Problem solving quizzes 30% No Week 5 and Week 12 Individual No Observed
Skills development: Research and communication 30% No 24/05/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Professional practice: Theory to practice 40% No 03/06/2026 Individual Yes Open AI

Skills development: Problem solving quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 5 and Week 12
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for you to practice how to solve various real-world problems on the spot. You will work independently on two quizzes which will develop your understanding of the application of discipline knowledge.

 

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Digital skills
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable(s): Two quizzes

 

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
  • Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
  • Critically analyse the major theoretical approaches to the ecological analysis of environmental issues, the assumptions on which they are based and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters.
  • Assess and compare policy alternatives to address issues of environmental sustainability from the perspective of ecological economics.

Skills development: Research and communication

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 24/05/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit. You are required to identify what the key points are from particular sections of the unit and then write two reflective blog entries on the unit content.

 

Skills in focus: 

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Work readiness

Deliverable(s): Two written reflective blogs [approx 500 words] each

 

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
  • Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
  • Assess and compare policy alternatives to address issues of environmental sustainability from the perspective of ecological economics.

Professional practice: Theory to practice

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 03/06/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit.

 

You are required to select an observable problem of interest, and propose solutions based on theories and knowledge gained throughout the session.

 

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Digital skills
  • Work readiness
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship 
  • Discipline knowledge 

Deliverable(s): Written report [max 3000 words]

 

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply advanced terminology and concepts associated with the analyses of environmental issues from an ecological economics perspective.
  • Evaluate ecological aspects of environmental problems, including key stakeholders and important incentive effects, and the role of ecological constraints.
  • Critically analyse the major theoretical approaches to the ecological analysis of environmental issues, the assumptions on which they are based and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters.
  • Assess and compare policy alternatives to address issues of environmental sustainability from the perspective of ecological economics.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Unit content

There is a weekly 2-hour live lecture/discussion which is 'in-person'. It will also be available via ECHO360 on iLearn. Pre-recorded content will be available at the same location on iLearn.

Recommended Texts

There is no required textbook. Some references include:

Thampapillai, D.J., and Ruth, M. (2024). Environmental Economics: Concepts, Methods and Policies (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003408574

Perman, R, Ma, Y, Common, M, Maddison, D and Mcgilvray, J (2011). Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, Pearson, 4th edition.

Daly, H.E. and Farley, J. (2010). Ecological Economics: Principles and Applications, Second Edition.

Technology Used and Required: Unit Web Page

Class material as well as up to date information concerning any aspect of the unit, including any changes to the schedule, will be available to students by logging on to the unit web page at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. You are encouraged to regularly visit the website and use it as a resource centre to assist with your learning.

Unit Schedule

Part 1: Concepts and climate change

Topic 1: Introductory concepts

Topic 2: Introduction on climate change and economic concepts

Part 2: The energy context

Topic 3: Introductory energy concepts

Topic 4: Macroeconomic relationships explaining energy outcomes

Part 3: Microeconomic energy perspectives

Topic 5: Adoption of solar panels by households

Topic 6: Other small-scale energy outcomes

Part 4: The broader environmental and social context

Topic 7: Co-benefits of emissions reduction

Topic 8: Equity aspects for environmental contexts

Part 5: Policy responses

Topic 9: Policy principles and existing policy approaches

Topic 10: Carbon pricing impacts

Topic 11: Carbon pricing debates

Topic 12: Case studies of Australian energy policies and new policy proposals

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.05 of the Handbook