ECO484H1: Climate Economics

24L/12T

We use economic theory to study the impact of climatic factors (such as heat, sea level rise, groundwater depletion, and precipitation) on agriculture, industry, trade, health, and more. We study how market failures and knock-on effects can exacerbate these impacts, how adaptation and policy can ease them, and how these can all be understood through the lens of equilibrium. Building on economic and econometric theory, we use real-world datasets to understand how to measure climate impacts, disentangle cause and effect, test theories, uncover inequalities in impacts, and understand the limits of measurement and prediction. We cover some aspects of regulation and compliance gaining rapidly in importance, such as carbon accounting, carbon markets, and institutional climate risk management. The course is open to all students who meet the prerequisites and necessary support for applicable software is provided.


ECO200Y1/ ECO204Y1/ ECO206Y1, ECO202Y1/ ECO208Y1/ ECO209Y1, ECO220Y1/ ECO227Y1/ ( STA237H1, STA238H1)/ ( STA247H1, STA248H1)/ ( STA257H1, STA261H1), at least 1.0 credit in ECO at the 300+ level.
ECO481H1 (Topic: Climate Economics), offered in Fall 2024 and 2025, and Winter 2026.
Society and its Institutions (3)