Introduction to Environmental Economics Course | IIT Roorkee | Prof. Diptimayee Nayak
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 515 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences, Energy, Climate and Sustainability, Economics |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 19 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Introduction to Environmental Economics: A 12-Week Course by IIT Roorkee Experts
In an era defined by climate change, resource depletion, and urgent sustainability debates, understanding the intricate relationship between our economy and the environment is no longer optional—it’s essential. The “Introduction to Environmental Economics” course, offered by distinguished faculty from IIT Roorkee, provides a comprehensive framework to analyze these critical intersections. Designed as a 12-week journey, this course equips students and professionals with the tools to evaluate environmental challenges through an economic lens.
Meet Your Instructors: Leading Minds in Economics and Policy
The course is guided by two renowned academics with deep expertise in development and environmental issues:
- Prof. Diptimayee Nayak: Holding a PhD from IIT Delhi, Prof. Nayak’s research focuses on ecosystem services, non-market environmental valuations, environmental policy, and sustainability. Her work bridges rigorous economic theory with pressing real-world environmental problems.
- Prof. S.P. Singh: With over 25 years of teaching experience, Prof. Singh brings extensive knowledge in development and policy issues, particularly those addressing agricultural, environmental, and rural development. His perspective ensures the course is grounded in practical policy applications.
Who Should Enroll? (Intended Audience)
This course is meticulously designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students across disciplines, including:
- BE/BTech students in any branch seeking to understand the economic dimensions of environmental engineering and sustainability.
- MSc students in Economics, Environmental Science, Sustainability Studies, and Public Policy.
- Professionals and researchers looking to solidify their foundation in environmental economic principles.
Course Overview: Decoding the Economy-Environment Nexus
We navigate daily debates on economic growth versus environmental protection. This course cuts through the complexity to provide clear analytical tools. You will explore:
- The fundamental theories of environmental and collective goods.
- The critical links between environment, economic growth, and development.
- Welfare economics and methods for valuing environmental goods and services that lack a market price.
- The economics of pollution and the design of effective environmental regulations and policies.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-3 | Foundations: Relevance of Environmental Economics, Microeconomic tools, comparison with Ecological Economics. Deep dive into Commons and Collective Action Problems (including Mancur Olson's theory, Prisoner's Dilemma) and Governing the Commons. Introduction to Ecosystem Services & Ecological Footprints. |
| Week 4-5 | Macro Links & Sustainability: Exploring the Poverty-Environment-Growth nexus and the Environmental Kuznets Curve. Concepts of Environmental Sustainability, the Environmental Performance Index, and Benefit-Cost Analysis. |
| Week 6-7 | Valuing the Environment: Understanding Non-Market Valuation techniques. Covers both Revealed Preference Methods (like travel cost, hedonic pricing) and Stated Preference Methods (like contingent valuation). |
| Week 8-9 | Market Efficiency & Failure: Concepts of market efficiency, optimality, and surplus. Analysis of Market Failures via public goods/bads and Externalities, introducing solutions like the Pigouvian Fee. |
| Week 10-12 | Solutions & Policy Instruments: The role of Property Rights and the Coase Theorem. Comprehensive study of Environmental Regulation: Command-and-Control approaches and Market-Based Instruments (e.g., taxes, subsidies, and market trading systems like cap-and-trade). |
Industry Relevance and Applications
This course is highly relevant for professionals and future leaders in industries that interface directly with environmental regulation and sustainability, including supporting industries like:
- NTPC, NALCO, Coal India, ONGC, SAIL: For managing environmental compliance, resource economics, and sustainable operational strategies.
- Green Industries & Consultancies: For expertise in environmental valuation, impact assessment, and designing eco-friendly business models.
- Policy and Regulatory Bodies: For crafting effective economic instruments for pollution control and conservation.
By the end of this 12-week program, participants will gain a robust understanding of how economic principles can be applied to diagnose environmental problems and design efficient, equitable solutions. Whether you aim to pursue a career in policy, corporate sustainability, research, or simply wish to be an informed citizen, this course offers the critical knowledge needed to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Enroll today to bridge the gap between economy and ecology with expert guidance from IIT Roorkee.
Enroll Now →