Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy

Class 1. Overview of Environmental Economics and Policy

This lecture discusses the rationale for studying environmental economics, the role of environmental economics and policy and its relation with other brands of economics, and examples of environmental policy in the real world.

Required Readings:

*Perkins, Dwight, Steven Radelet and David Lindauer (2006). Economics of Development, New York: WW Norton and Company, 6th edition. Chapter 20.

Additional References:

- Hussen, Ahmed (2004). Principles of Environmental Economics, Routledge London 2nd Edition, ISBN 0-203-57050-2. Chapter 4, 5, 6.

Policy Memo 1 Distributed

Class 2. Instruments of Environmental Policy (EP)

Students will learn the principle of environmental policy, and how the government can address environmental externalities and fix market failures through a broad range of market and non-market instruments.

Required Readings:

*Hussen (2004). Chapter 4, 5, 6.

Additional References:

- Field, Barry C.

Class 3. Discussion of Environmental Policy Instruments

Policy Memo 1 Due

Class 4. Environmental Cost – Benefit Analysis (eCBA) and Decision Tools

This lecture presents a conceptual framework for analyzing environmental cost and benefit, elements of eCBA, and decision-making criteria used in assessing the feasibility of an environmental project.

Required Readings:

*Field, Barry C. (1997). Environmental Economics: An Introduction, 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-021498-0. Chapter 6-7.

Additional References:

- Hussen (2004). Chapter 9.

- Perman, Roger, Yue Ma, James McGilvray, and Michael Common, 2003. Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, Pearson Education Limited, ISBN 0273655590 (3rd edition). Chapter 11.

- Pearce, David, Giles Atkinson, and Susana Mourato (2006). Cost Benefit Analysis and the Environment. OECD Publishing. Chapter 2-3.

- Common, M (1996).Environmental & Resource Economics: An Introduction. Longman, ISBN 0-582-24632-6 (2nd Edition). Chapter 8.

Policy Memo 2 Distributed

Class 5. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Projects

This lecture presents the principle of EIA in project appraisals, what EIA steps involve, and describe what capacities and supports one might need in order to conduct an environmental impact assessment.

Required Readings:

* Bộ Tài nguyên và Môi trường, Tổng cục Môi trường (2009). Hướng dẫn kỹ thuật lập báo cáo đánh giá tác động môi trường các dự án sản xuất hóa chất cơ bản.

Additional References:

- EIA example of a Thermal Power Plant.

- MPP Theses: Đinh Thị Anh (2015). Thẩm định kinh tế, tài chính dự án xây dựng hệ thống xử lý nước thải tại KCN cao TPHCM; Hoàng Thị Chinh Thon (2015). Tác động của ô nhiễm tại các làng xã đến tình trạng khám chữa bệnh ở Việt Nam.

Class 6. Discussion of eCBA and EIA

Policy Memo 2 Due

Class 7. Sustainable Development and Sustainable Livelihoods in Vietnam – Issues and Challenges

This lecture provides students with a broad overview of environmental challenges facing Vietnam in the 21st century. Issues to be covered include: climate change and projected impacts; resource intensive vs. knowledge-based development strategies; energy generation; trans-boundary issues that need inputs/cooperation from other countries, such as dams construction in Lao PDR and China and potential impacts. At the local scale, students learn to relate those changes to household impacts and resilience by using a sustainable livelihoods framework.

Recommended References:

- Bộ Tài nguyên và Môi trường (2012). Kịch bản biến đổi khí hậu, nước biển dâng cho Việt Nam. Nhà xuất bản Tài nguyên - Môi trường và Bản đồ Việt Nam.

- Mekong Delta Study 2015 (selected chapters).

- Mekong Development Plan 2013 (selected chapters).

- Department for International Development (DFID) 1999. Sustainable Livelihoods Guidance Sheets.

Policy Memo 3 Distributed

Class 8. Discussion of Sustainable Development and Sustainable Livelihoods

Policy Memo 3 Due

Class 9. Urbanization in Vietnam: Issues and Challenges

The urban development section focuses on characteristics of urbanization and challenges for sustainable urban development in Vietnam. A comprehensive picture will be presented before approaches and solutions to deal with challenges to be introduced.

Required Readings:

*Du Huynh 2012. The Transformation of Ho Chi Minh City: Issues in Managing Growth, Doctor of Design Dissertation at Harvard University, Chapter 1, 2.

Additional Readings:

- World Bank (2011). Vietnam Urbanization Review: Technical Assistance Report.

Class 10. Urbanization in Vietnam (continued)

Required Readings:

*Du Huynh 2012. The Transformation of Ho Chi Minh City: Issues in Managing Growth, Doctor of Design Dissertation at Harvard University, Chapter 3.

Take-home Essay Distributed.