This course will introduce the basic insights of ecological economics – that is an economics grounded in ecological realities - and situate these in the context of historical and current debates about economics and prosperity on a finite planet.

Available to MSc Water and Environmental Engineering students only.

This module takes place over 5 days in the Easter Holiday.

The dominant approach towards identifying, documenting and minimising the effects an organisation has on its specific and the wider (physical and to some extent social) environment is originated in the Total Quality Management (TQM) Movement.

Auditing as the systematic process of performance evaluation against pre-set standards, as well as the need to embed all activities into a contrived system of managing activities are at the heart of environmental management.

This module will introduce environmental auditing and environmental management systems in a practical, informative and useful manner and will explore the dominant, practical and topical concerns surrounding environmental auditing and environmental management systems.

This module will discuss the foundation principles of the legal system related to the protection of the environment in context, the framework of environmental law at UK, EU and international level, law relating to the protection of land, air, waste, water and wildlife and biodiversity as well as solving environmental pollution problems and achieving compliance and enforcement.

This module builds an understanding of life cycle assessment methodology developed in the Life Cycle Thinking and the Circular Economy module, by providing more in-depth training on life cycle assessment methodology, and practical experience of doing a life cycle assessment.

You are encouraged to take the Life Cycle Thinking and the Circular Economy module before doing this module.

Energy use and the systems put in place to supply it are responsible for the majority of the world’s emissions of carbon dioxide and hence, much climate change policy is directed towards the energy sector. Energy is also central to economic development and social welfare and thus, energy security and cost minimisation are high on national policy agendas.

Energy markets throughout the world are also evolving rapidly, with privatisation, competition, market structure and regulation remaining prominent issues in the UK, Europe and internationally. The range of challenges for energy policy is diverse and exciting.

This module focuses on the transitions needed from the current situations in energy use, supply, markets and policy, to those required as part of a long term, sustainable, low carbon energy system.