Environmental Economics and Governance

Natural resources such as forests, water, fisheries, and clean air are essential for human well-being — but deciding how they should be used, protected, and shared is one of society’s greatest challenges. This course explores these questions by examining the dynamic relationships between people, the environment, markets, and political institutions through the lens of socio-economic systems. Students will investigate how social behavior, economic incentives, institutions, and governance influence resource use, and why environmental problems often arise from competing interests, market failures, and collective action challenges. The course also introduces systems thinking, human–environment interactions, circular economy concepts, and the role of international cooperation in addressing global sustainability issues.

Students will learn to distinguish between regulatory and market-based approaches and assess their effectiveness, efficiency, and societal impacts. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze socio-environmental systems, apply key economic and governance concepts, evaluate policy options, and develop informed solutions that balance environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and societal needs.

Lecturer: Prof. Sabine Schlüter, Prof. Johannes Hamhaber

Note: application deadline 26.8.2026

written examen: face-to-face at TH Köln (date to be announced/between: 9.2. – 26.2.2027)

Registration for this course:

1. Check the Assessment method in the detailed course description

2. Fill out the form in the sign up button below

3.  Since this is an ECTS course from TH Köln, your application will be forwarded to TH Köln.  Your registration is successful, when you get a confirmation email. The relevant course information will be provided by the lecturer.