ECC3640 Economics of climate change
Faculty of Business and Economics
ECC3640 Economics of climate change is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs ECF1100, ECC2460, ECC1000, ECW1101 or ECB1101.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before ECC3640
After ECC3640
No unit lists ECC3640 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
To be successful in this unit, background knowledge and application of maths is required at the equivalent of VCE Year 12 Higher level. You may have satisfied this by completing relevant prerequisite unit/s, or you have covered relevant topics in your final years of secondary study. You should self-assess your maths competency prior to enrolling in this unit.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
Explore the multifaceted economic dimensions of climate change in this comprehensive unit. You'll delve into the impacts and economic costs of climate change, conduct global cost-benefit analyses, and critically evaluate the limitations of integrated assessment models. Investigate the state of international climate agreements through a game theoretic lens, understand carbon budgets and transition pathways, and critically assess various policy instruments, including carbon taxes, emission trading schemes, and emission standards. Additionally, you'll examine adaptation strategies to address the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. This unit provides a robust academic foundation for understanding and addressing one of the most critical issues facing our world today.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Quiz / Test6%
- Exercise28%
- Written26%
- Examination40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
understand how climate change affects various economic sectors across countries and regions, identify the challenges in translating impacts into economic costs and explain their implications for global climate policy
- 2
apply simple game theory to analyse and understand the current state of international agreements on climate change
- 3
contrast the efficiency and equity implications of different policy instruments, including emission standards, carbon taxes, and emission trading schemes, and leverage this knowledge to critique climate change policy
- 4
assess how policy can support adaptation and provide examples of efficient adaptation practices.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit allows you to engage in guided, immersive experiences to develop relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes through simulation or virtual practice.
This unit allows you to develop your research skills by engaging in structured inquiry using a systematic approach and discipline-specific methodologies.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
This unit engages you in enquiry-based learning, where you will be encouraged to use your own knowledge to develop and engage in a process of enquiry, study and research to identify areas to be investigated and an approach to doing so.
Where it fits
ECC3640 is part of 5 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
- ECONANLY01Specialisation elective unitsEconomic analysisNo reviews yet
- ECONOMIC07Energy, environment and sustainabilityEconomicsNo reviews yet
- ECONPOLY01Cluster 1: SustainabilityEconomics and economic policyNo reviews yet
- SSRSPMGT01Core unitsSustainability and responsible managementNo reviews yet
- SSRSPMGT02Caulfield and Clayton unitsSustainability and responsible managementNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Benjamin Chipperfield
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECC3640?
You need ECF1100, ECC2460, ECC1000, ECW1101 or ECB1101 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is ECC3640 offered?
In 2026, ECC3640 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ECC3640?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECC3640 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECC3640?
ECC3640 is part of Economic analysis; Economics; Economics and economic policy; and Sustainability and responsible management.