49029 Environmental Policy for Energy Systems

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Systems, Management and Leadership
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Effective environmental policy response is needed to redress the impacts of the energy sector on the environment. This subject aims to develop an understanding of the nature and characteristics of energy–environment linkages, concepts and methods of environmental policy analysis, and technical, economic and social dimensions of environmental policies in the context of energy systems.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	describe environmental policy contexts for energy systems
2.	explain basic concepts, principles and methods for analysing impacts of environmental policy options (e.g., carbon tax, emissions trading); and
3.	analyse and critically appraise contemporary issues in environmental policy debate at national, regional and international levels.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:

• Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs. (A.1)
• Apply principles of sustainability to create viable systems (A.4)
• Apply systems thinking to understand complex system behaviour including interactions between components and with other systems (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) (A.5)
• Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies (B.1)
• Synthesise alternative/innovative solutions, concepts and procedures (B.3)
• Demonstrate research skills (B.6)
• Apply abstraction, mathematics and/or discipline fundamentals to analysis, design and operation (C.1)
• Manage own time and processes effectively by prioritising competing demands to achieve personal goals (Manage self) (D.1)
• Reflect on personal and professional experiences to engage in independent development beyond formal education for lifelong learning (D.2)
• Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose. (E.1)
• Appreciate ethical implications of professional practice (F.2)
• Understand cross-cultural issues (regions or workplaces) (F.3)
• Be aware of global perspectives (needs, rules/regulations, and specifications) (F.4)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is offered in block mode, involving three (two day each) modules, spread over a 12 week session.

Each block follows a similar structure, in that students are required to access pre-class review of subject reading/viewing material on UTSOnline. The material is designed to enable students to engage in meaningful discussions in class. Communication is integral to each class and the pre-reading material informs these conversations.

In class, students will have a formal lecture to re-assess understanding of concepts and methods and their applications in real-life situations using case studies. Students engage in extensive consultations to complete set exercises. These exercises provide opportunities for developing an understanding of concepts and methods relevant to the subject. They also provide opportunities for critical evaluation of presented information. Assignments are issued in each Block and are to be handed in before the next Block so that verbal feedback and relevant examples can be provided to guide each Block. Each Block follows an assignment and feedback, hence increasing understanding and increased opportunity for feedback. The assignments are designed to test students’ ability to apply concepts and methods in specific contexts, analyse policy trade-offs and, develop constructive critique. Quizzes are designed to assess knowledge and understanding of subject content. By completing these before each Block, students will receive verbal feedback on their progress in the following Block.

Content (topics)

1. Environmental policy context for energy systems
   • Overview of global environmental problems
   • Energy-economy-environmental interface
   • Rationale for environmental policy
   • Nature of environmental policy analysis
   • Historical perspective and experience
   • Institutional and policy contexts
2. Global environmental challenges
   • Pollution
   • Acid rain
   • Global warming
3. Environmental policy approaches
   • Voluntary
   • Command-and-control
   • Market-oriented
   • Hybrid
4. Command-and-control approaches
   • Standards
   • Regulation
   • Taxes
5. Market-oriented approach: emissions trading
   • Concepts
   • Methods
   • Issues
6. Other approaches
   • Clean development mechanisms (CDMs)
   • Activities implemented jointly (AIJ)
   • Energy efficiency
7. Selected topics
   • Carbon markets
   • Carbon trade
   • The issue of 'risk' in environmental policies
   • Environmental modelling
   • Environmental policy frameworks
   • Institutional and regulatory issues
   • Economic, social and political dimensions of environmental policies
   • Cultural perspectives
8. Case studies and applications

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Assignment 1

Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, B.1, B.3, B.6, C.1, D.1 and E.1
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	15%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Relevance of discussion/evidence 25 1, 2 A.1, B.1 Depth of research 25 1, 2 B.3, B.6, D.1 Degree of insights 25 1, 2 B.3, C.1 Succinctness of writing 25 1, 2 E.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Quiz 1

Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, B.1, B.3, C.1, D.1 and E.1
Type:	Quiz/test
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	25%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Relevance of discussion 50 1, 2 A.1, B.1, B.3, E.1 Correctness of solutions 50 1, 2 C.1, D.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Assignment 2

Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.4, A.5, B.6, D.1, D.2, E.1, F.3 and F.4
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	15%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Relevance of discussion/evidence 25 1, 2, 3 A.1, A.4, A.5 Depth of research 25 1, 2, 3 B.6, D.1 Degree of insights 25 1, 2, 3 D.2, F.3, F.4 Succinctness of writing 25 1, 2, 3 D.2, E.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 4: Quiz 2

Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.4, A.5, C.1, F.3 and F.4
Type:	Quiz/test
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	25%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Relevance of discussion 50 1, 2, 3 A.1, A.4, F.3, F.4 Correctness of solutions 50 1, 2, 3 A.5, C.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 5: Assignment 3

Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.4, B.3, B.6, D.1, D.2, E.1, F.2, F.3 and F.4
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	10%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Relevance of discussion/evidence 25 1, 2, 3 A.1, A.4 Depth of research 25 1, 2, 3 B.6, D.1 Degree of insights 25 1, 2, 3 B.3, D.2, F.2, F.3, F.4 Succinctness of writing 25 1, 2, 3 D.2, E.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 6: Class Participation

Intent:	To demonstrate students’ participation to critically engage with materials covered in this subject, and their ability to confidently engage in meaningful discussion in the class.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): E.1
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	10%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Contribution to and participation in class discussion 100 1, 2, 3 E.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Required texts

None prescribed. Selective lecture notes, journal articles and other readings are provided below.

References

Arnold, Frank S. (1995) Economic Analysis of Environmental Policy and Regulation, John Wiley, Singapore.

Baumol, William J. and Oates, Wallace E. (1993) The Theory of Environmental Policy, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Bruce, Lames P.; Lee, Hoesung: and Haites, Erik F. (eds.) Climate Change 1995: Economic and Social Dimensions of Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Cline, William R. (1992) The Economics of Global Warming, Institute for International Economics, Washington D.C.

Dorfman, Robert and Dorfman, Nancy (Eds.) (1993) Economics of the Environment, W.W. Norton and Company, London.

Eriksson, Clas (2013) Economic growth and the environment, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom.

Fritsch, Bruno; Schmidheiny, Stephan; and Seifritz, Walter (1994) Towards an Ecological Sustainable Growth Society, Springer-Verlag, Tokyo.

Gates, D M (1985) Energy and Ecology, Sinauer Associates Inc, Sunderland, Massachussets

Kolstad, Charles D. (2000) Environmental Economics, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Manne, Alan S. and Richels, Richard G. (1992) Buying Greenhouse Insurance: The Economic Costs of CO2 Emission Limits, The MIT Press, Massachusetts.

Rose, D J (1986) Learning about Energy, Plenum Press, New York

Nordhaus, William D. (1994) Managing the Global Commons: The Economics of Climate Change, The MIT Press, Massachusetts.

Nordhaus, William (2008) A Question of Balance: Weighing the Options on Global Warming Policies, Yale University Press, New Haven.

Pearce, David W. and Turner, R. Kerry (1990) Economics of Natural Resources and the Environmental, Harvester Wheatsheaf, New York.

Tietenberg, T (1992) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Harper Collins, New York.