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AERD40190

Academic Year 2025/2026

Agri-Environmental Economics and Policy (AERD40190)

Subject:
Agribus Extension & Rural Dev
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr David Stead
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Will it cost the earth? This module considers the contribution of economics to (i) the analysis of agri-environmental sustainability challenges; (ii) the formulation of agri-environmental policy. It brings an economic perspective to issues such as the causes and costs of environmental degradation (including water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions), the development of policy and market incentives to change behaviour, and the valuation of environmental resources. The impact of agri-environmental policy on the operation of the Irish agricultural sector is also explored. Students will further develop their transferable skills in critical analysis, economic analysis, research and team working.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: (i) Identify the main contributions of economic analysis of agri-environmental sustainability challenges; (ii) Evaluate the key economic instruments used in correcting for environmental degradation and (iii) in valuing environmental resources; (iv) Critically assess the impact of agri-environmental policy on the operation of the Irish agricultural sector; (v) Further develop transferable skills in critical analysis, presenting and interpreting information, team working, and economic analysis.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

21
Tutorial

1
Seminar (or Webinar)

2
Conversation Class

2
Specified Learning Activities

63
Autonomous Student Learning

41
Total

130

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, background reading, class discussion, problem-solving, critical thinking, team-working, presentation preparation and delivery, mock stakeholder consultation exercise.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Level 1 module in Economics/Agricultural Economics.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
AERD30030 - Agri-Environmental Economics, ENVP40100 - Enviro & Behaviour Economics, ENVP40230 - Environmental Economics, PEP20030 - Environmental Economics, PEP20070 - Environmental Policy


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Open Book): 1 question in 2 hours End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
65
 No
Group Work Assignment: Mock stakeholder consultation exercise Week 10 Graded No
25
 No
Group Work Assignment: Team mini-presentation (approx. 10 mins in total) Week 4 Graded No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Details of readings will be posted on Brightspace during the trimester.

Name Role
Dr James Breen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
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