About Economics of Sustainability, Master - at Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Master in Economics of Sustainability: Focus on sustainable development and how economic systems and policies can support Sustainable Development Goals.
Why study this programme?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN are challenging and ambitious. How can economics help to reach these goals? How to protect the natural richness of our planet while at the same time support economic development? How to decrease socio-economic inequalities in labour, housing or other markets without creating extensive bureaucracy or violating individual human rights? How to create a cost-effective public health system that divides the costs and benefits equally across society?
In this master specialisation, students are introduced to what sustainable development is and how economic systems can both support and hinder SDG’s.
Worldwide, multiple master programmes in economics delve into either environmental economics, urban economics, education economics, health economics or labour economics. For some societal issues, this single-perspective approach might be sufficient to analyse the causes and consequences. However, for many SDGs, a complex combination of knowledge is necessary to understand the challenges and develop policy interventions, considering both short- and long-term effects, the variety of intervention levels needed and the interconnectedness with other SDGs. This master specialization combines these elements and thus is unique compared with other masters.
At the end of the course students are able to:
- Describe the complexity of the SDGs in terms of timeframes, levels of intervention and the intertwining with other SDGs
- Analyse the variety of economic perspectives necessary to understand the SDGs
- Have in-depth knowledge which economic policy possibilities are present to achieve the SDGs
- Analyse costs and benefits of possible economic policy interventions, including timing effects, levels of interventions and ripple-effects
Is this the right choice for you?
Are you motivated to contribute to a world where over nine billion people are living well within planetary boundaries? Do you think that proper economic analysis can add to reaching a sustainable future? Are you interested in combining knowledge from diverse economic specializations and learn skills necessary to solve complex, societal issues?
Factors that will help you to successfully complete our master’s programme Economics of sustainability are:
- A good basis in economics (bachelor)
- A fondness in developing in-depth and broad economic knowledge
- Enthusiasm in solving societal problems
- A wish to develop your own analytical and professional skills, including working in teams
Learn more about Economics of Sustainability, Master - at Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam
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