Environmental Economics deals with the exploitation, sustainability, preservation, and allocation of renewable natural resources. Environmental policies are the set of rules that organizations implement in order to deal with certain environmental issues. With the increase of potential threats to our environment and the depleting resources, which are largely a product of anthropogenic activities, there arises a need to formulate certain rules and policies that aid in preserving our planet. Environmental policies thus, contribute to addressing significant environmental concerns. 

Environmental Economics and Policy assists us in comprehending the economic impacts of various policies through an empirical approach and theoretical approach. This subject area helps us in understanding the impacts of economic and political institutions that affect the management and sustainability of our natural resources.

It is highly inter-disciplinary since it is closely related to and draws from other disciplines like Economics, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, and Sustainable Development to name a few. Students are taught how to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world environmental problems. They also learn how to design and assess environmental policies. Career opportunities are tremendous for students who have a degree in Environmental Economics and Policy.

Study Levels

The following are the study levels that fall under this discipline:

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Economics
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Environmental Policy and Management
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Environmental Policy
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Environmental Sciences
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Natural Resource Law Enforcement
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Environmental Sciences and Policy
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Economics
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Environmental Policy and Management
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Development Studies
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Environmental Sciences and Policy
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Environmental Management
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Environmental Policy
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Sustainability Studies
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Economics and Public Policy
• L.L.M. in Natural Resources and Environmental Law and Policy
• LL.B. in Natural Resources and Environmental Law and Policy
• M.Phil. in Economics and Finance
• PhD

Specializations

The following are the different areas of specialization offered under this discipline:

• Economics and Policy of Energy and The Environment
• Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
• Environmental Policy, Technology, and Health
• Environmental Sustainability, Law, and Policies
• Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences
• Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning
• Social Policy
• Agricultural, Food and Environmental Policy Analysis
• Global Environmental Economics
• Regional and Environmental Economics
• Environmental Policy and Governance
• Environmental Management for Business
• Environmental Strategy
• Anthropology and Environmental Policy
• International economic law business and Policy
• Public and International Affairs – Environmental Sustainability

Employability

As is evident from the above-mentioned list of specializations, Environmental Economics and Policy offers various opportunities for employment to students. Graduates can find employment in different sectors throughout the world. Various government institutions, as well as international firms, hire Environmental Economics and Policy graduates to work with them providing colossal and promising career opportunities.

Companies that recruit Environmental economists include:

• World Bank
• Ministry of Economic Affairs
• Asian Development Bank

Job roles include:

• Environmental Compliance Inspectors
• Regulatory Affairs Specialists
• Risk Management Specialist
• Sustainability Specialist
• Ecological Economist
• Agricultural Economist
• Project Manager
• Environmental Consultant
• Resources Policy Advocate
• Environmental Auditor
• Energy Economist
• Environmental Economic Policy Analyst
• Policy Economist
• Research Analyst