The goal of this course is to understand how payments for environmental services (PES) schemes can be designed, how they are currently operating in practice, and what environmental, social and economic outcomes they are having.
The course will focus on both theoretical aspects of the design of the schemes and empirical analysis of the outcomes of existing schemes.
The issues considered in this course will include:
- The rationale of PES schemes
- Arguments pro and against PES schemes
- The economic theory behind PES schemes
- Key principles of the design, including pricing, transparency, additionality, and conditionality
- Land and property rights
- Efficiency vs cost effectiveness of the schemes
- The role of PES in poverty alleviation
- Practical applications of PES: climate change, biodiversity, watershed management, coastal management
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On completion of the course, students will:
- Possess a critical understanding of the theory underpinning payments for environmental services (PES) schemes
- Have knowledge of the key design principles of PES schemes
- Understand the role of PES in environmental management
- Be able to apply this theoretical understanding to interventions
- Be able to verbally communicate the theory and the principles underlying PES schemes
Indicative Assessment
In-class presentation (10%), Case study analysis (40%), Research assignment (50%).
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
2 hour lecture and 1 hour class discussion per week
Prescribed Texts
Reading material will include journal articles and the following text:
Tacconi, L., S. Mahanty, H. Suich eds (2010). Payments for Environmental Services, Forest Conservation and Climate Change: Livelihoods in the REDD?. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
