University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This course introduces the fundamental economic principles and analytical methods required to understand how consumers and producers make choices within the environmental and energy sectors. Students explore the core elements of consumer theory, including budget constraints, preferences, and utility maximization, to understand how individual demands are generated. The analysis is further extended to include decision-making under uncertainty, providing a robust framework for examining consumption behavior in volatile energy markets.

The course then shifts to producer theory, examining how firms determine optimal production levels and technology mix through cost minimization and profit maximization strategies. By analyzing firm and industry supply curves, students gain insights into how production costs and technological constraints shape the energy supply landscape. Building on these microeconomic foundations, the course evaluates various market structures, ranging from perfect equilibrium to monopoly and oligopoly, to explain how price and quantity are determined in complex market environments and how these outcomes impact the energy industry.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to interpret and discuss economic theory, apply microeconomic principles to analyze market problems, and evaluate different modeling approaches. Furthermore, they will be equipped to apply critical thinking and model-based analysis to propose effective solutions to contemporary challenges in environmental and energy markets.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This course explores the green transition as a foundational structural transformation of the European Union’s legal order, examining how climate and environmental priorities reshape constitutional principles and policy-making. The curriculum begins by establishing the legal basis and allocation of competences between the EU and Member States, clarifying the Union's authority to regulate in the fields of climate and energy. Students analyze the transition from policy objectives to binding legal obligations through key instruments such as the European Climate Law, which translates long-term climate targets into mandatory frameworks for both the Union and its national legal systems.

The syllabus further details the primary regulatory tools used for decarbonization, including emissions trading systems, renewable energy promotion, and energy efficiency measures. It examines how these initiatives reshape the internal energy market, the role of new market actors, and the legal governance of the Energy Union through national planning and monitoring mechanisms. Special attention is given to the legal principles of solidarity, security of supply, and crisis management, as well as the external dimension of EU climate law—addressing how European regulations interact with global trade and international environmental governance.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to interpret Treaty provisions related to climate and energy, explain the legal significance of the European Climate Law, and assess the regulatory frameworks driving decarbonization. They will be equipped to analyze the transformation of the internal energy market and evaluate the broader evolution of EU law as it integrates climate objectives across all policy sectors, enabling them to navigate complex regulatory environments with critical legal reasoning.

University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This course offers an in-depth study of investment decision-making, specifically tailored to the capital-intensive nature of the energy sector. It bridges corporate finance theory with practical application, providing students with the analytical tools necessary to evaluate large-scale, long-horizon energy projects under significant uncertainty. The curriculum is structured around four pillars: the time value of money, investment decision rules, structured financial modeling, and risk assessment. Students begin by mastering foundational concepts such as present value, the opportunity cost of capital, and the law of one price, which serve as the basis for comparing diverse energy investments.

The syllabus advances into the technical evaluation of stand-alone and competing projects using industry-standard rules, including Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Payback Period. A significant portion of the course is dedicated to developing hands-on technical skills through structured financial modeling in Excel, covering model automation, sensitivity analysis, and the use of Tornado diagrams. The final section addresses the complexities of risk, teaching students how to measure and price uncertainty through the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and Real Options Analysis, which accounts for the value of flexibility in volatile energy markets.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand and apply core financial concepts to the energy sector and analyze the theoretical underpinnings of project investment. They will be proficient in carrying out detailed energy project analyses and creating sophisticated investment evaluation models using Excel. Furthermore, students will be equipped to make informed decisions regarding project selection and resource constraints, effectively incorporating risk and return profiles into professional financial assessments.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This compulsory course provides an advanced exploration of the intersection between market regulation and the European Green Deal. It examines how EU competition law and State aid control mechanisms are evolving to support environmental sustainability while maintaining a level playing field within the internal market. The curriculum bridges legal analysis and economic reasoning, focusing on how the Union balances its industrial policy goals with the necessity of preventing market distortions.

The syllabus is divided into two primary pillars:

o       Antitrust and Sustainability: Students analyze the application of Articles 101 and 102 TFEU to "green" market practices. This includes evaluating sustainability agreements between competitors, identifying when environmental benefits can justify exemptions under Article 101(3), and monitoring potential abuses of dominance in rapidly growing innovation-driven markets.

o       State Aid and Public Support: The course provides a deep dive into Articles 107–109 TFEU, specifically focusing on the 2022 Climate, Environmental Protection and Energy Aid Guidelines (CEEAG) and the 2023 Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF). Real-world applications are explored through major initiatives like Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) in the hydrogen and battery value chains, as well as high-profile cases like the Tesla Gigafactory.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the relationship between competition enforcement and climate objectives. They will be proficient in assessing the legality of sustainability-driven horizontal cooperation and the compatibility of public subsidies with EU law. Graduates will be equipped to develop well-reasoned legal arguments in an international and interdisciplinary environment, critically evaluating the future reforms required to align market law with the green transition.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This course examines the critical interaction between climate change and business activity within modern economic and institutional frameworks. Climate change represents a significant economic risk, with potential annual costs estimated between 5% and 20% of global GDP. This course provides students with the analytical tools to understand how these physical and regulatory risks reshape firms, markets, and economic organization. It explores the dual role of businesses as agents affected by environmental shifts and as proactive contributors to a low-carbon transition through mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The curriculum is structured around several core thematic pillars:

o       The Science and Modeling of Risk: Students explore the physical evidence of climate change (IPCC AR6) and learn to interpret Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), such as William Nordhaus’s DICE-2023 model. These tools are essential for calculating the "social cost of carbon" and projecting the long-term economic impacts of various socioeconomic pathways.

o       Corporate Strategy and Innovation: The course analyzes how firms respond to market incentives, technological shifts, and stakeholder pressures. By applying the "Porter Hypothesis," students evaluate how well-designed environmental regulations can actually trigger innovation and enhance corporate competitiveness.

o       Climate Finance and ESG: A significant focus is placed on the financial implications of climate change, including "Green Swan" risks to the global financial system. Students examine green bonds, carbon-transition risk pricing, and the current challenges of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings, including the issue of "aggregate confusion" caused by diverging rating methodologies.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

o       Explain the economic and environmental dimensions of climate change and their specific implications for business viability.

o       Analyze how climate policies and "polar amplification" affect firm behavior and market outcomes.

o       Assess corporate decision-making under high levels of uncertainty and ambiguity.

o       Apply economic concepts to evaluate firm-level strategies for decarbonization and sustainable investment.

o       Critically Evaluate the limitations of business-led responses and the effectiveness of corporate sustainability initiatives.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This postgraduate course explores the legal frameworks governing environmental damage and responsibility at both the European and global levels. It focuses on the mechanisms used to hold actors accountable for ecological harm, centered primarily on the "Polluter-Pays Principle." Students examine the evolution of EU competences in environmental matters, the Directive 2004/35 on environmental liability, and the critical role of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in interpreting these rules.

The curriculum is divided into several specialized areas:

o       Procedural Rights: The course covers the Aarhus Convention, emphasizing access to environmental information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice.

o       Climate Governance: Students analyze the transition from the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, alongside regional initiatives like the EU Green Deal and the EU Climate Law (Regulation 1119/2021).

o       Climate Litigation: A significant portion of the syllabus is dedicated to the "new wave" of climate-related legal battles. This includes landmark national cases such as Urgenda and Shell, as well as international proceedings involving the KlimaSeniorinnen and recent Advisory Opinions from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

o       Humanitarian Impacts: The course addresses emerging legal challenges, such as providing international protection and tools for "climate refugees" displaced by environmental degradation.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to navigate and comment on complex legal texts protecting the environment and identify the underlying principles of international liability tools. They will be equipped to critically analyze the impact of climate change on modern law and participate in the production of new research ideas within this rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This postgraduate course bridges the gap between traditional financial appraisal and the evolving landscape of sustainable finance. It provides students with the quantitative and regulatory tools necessary to evaluate, optimize, and finance projects that align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. The curriculum specifically targets high-impact sectors such as energy and infrastructure, moving beyond simple profitability to assess broader socio-environmental performance.

The syllabus is built upon several advanced analytical pillars:

o       Mathematical Optimization: Students learn to formulate sustainable investment problems as optimization models (Integer & Multi-objective Programming) to solve complex challenges like project siting and portfolio allocation under strict economic and regulatory constraints.

o       Performance Measurement: Introduction to Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and other efficiency analysis methods to evaluate investment efficiency by incorporating both desirable economic outputs and "undesirable" environmental outputs (e.g., carbon emissions).

o       Regulatory Landscape: A deep dive into the EU Taxonomy, SFDR, and CSRD, ensuring students can interpret quantitative results within the current European legal framework and OECD standards.

o       Financing Instruments: Analysis of modern green finance tools, including Green Bonds and Blended Finance, focusing on how these instruments mitigate investment risk while achieving sustainability goals.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to assess projects using a tripartite framework (economy, society, environment), construct composite sustainability indices, and apply Business Analytics tools to produce robust decision-making strategies aligned with global sustainability frameworks

University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This postgraduate course provides a comprehensive exploration of the economic theories and financial mechanisms used to address the global climate crisis. It bridges the gap between environmental science and market-based solutions, offering students the analytical toolkit necessary to evaluate climate mitigation strategies and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The curriculum focuses on how societies can balance economic development with the urgent need for carbon management.

The syllabus is divided into two core analytical sections:

o       Climate Change Economics: Students examine the fundamental science of climate change through an economic lens, focusing on emissions scenarios, abatement costs, and the valuation of environmental impacts. A key area of study is the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) and the complexities of international environmental agreements, treating cooperation as a "global public good."

o       Carbon Finance: This section introduces the practical application of finance in climate policy. It covers the microstructure of Carbon Markets, the mechanics of Carbon Pricing (including carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems), and the financial implications of climate risks for both national and international entities.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand the main economic arguments for assessing mitigation options, analyze the incentives and barriers to international cooperation, and critically evaluate climate policy using specialized tools relevant to carbon finance and market structures.

University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This postgraduate module expands the traditional scope of sustainability beyond environmental factors to include public health and labour market dynamics. It investigates how the global energy transition, climate change, and technological advancements (such as Artificial Intelligence) reshape human welfare and employment structures in developed countries. The course aligns these challenges with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically focusing on poverty, health, decent work, and reduced inequalities.

The curriculum is divided into two primary thematic parts:

o       Environmental Change and Public Health: Students explore the causal links between climate change and adverse health outcomes, such as heat-related disorders and waterborne diseases. The course evaluates the role of public policy (e.g., the European Green Deal) and adaptation strategies—including nature-based solutions and sustainable urban planning—in building environmental resilience.

o       Labour Markets and the Energy Transition: This section applies economic frameworks to analyze the transition from traditional energy sectors (petroleum, nuclear) to green energy jobs. It examines the "future of work," focusing on skills development, wage dynamics, and the impact of AI and job precarity on both the sustainability of employment and worker health.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of health adaptation strategies, understand the shifting demand for skills in a green economy, and analyze how modern work trends influence public health outcomes.

University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This postgraduate course offers an in-depth exploration of the economic dimensions and policy challenges inherent in the global shift toward sustainable energy. It integrates theoretical economic frameworks with evidence-based analysis, equipping students with the skills to evaluate how nations navigate decarbonization while balancing the "Energy Trilemma"—the competing demands of energy security, equity (affordability), and environmental sustainability.

The curriculum is structured around six critical dimensions:

o       Environmental Sustainability & Strategic Behavior: The course examines the interdependence of economic activity and ecosystems, using Game Theory (e.g., the Prisoner’s Dilemma) to analyze international cooperation and the challenges of "free-riding" in climate action.

o       Renewable Energy Policy: Students study the drivers of green energy and the mechanics of policy instruments. This includes price-setting tools like Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), alongside quantity-setting mechanisms like Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).

o       Electricity Markets & Infrastructure: An analysis of wholesale and retail market organizations, focusing on merit-order dispatch and market-clearing prices. The course addresses the "missing money" problem and the role of Capacity Remuneration Mechanisms (CRMs) in ensuring investment in new generating capacity.

o       Energy Efficiency & Resource Depletion: Students explore the "Energy Efficiency Paradox"—why rational users often underinvest in efficiency—and study the Hotelling Framework for the optimal depletion of non-renewable resources like oil and gas during the transition to Net Zero.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to analyze economic policy options to incentivize energy transitions, evaluate the trade-offs between different economic goals, and understand the role of consumer and firm behavior in determining the success of sustainable shifts.

University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This postgraduate course provides a detailed examination of the policy, economic, and political challenges involved in managing wealth from extractive natural resources, such as oil and gas. It explores the "Resource Curse" and the "Paradox of Plenty," focusing on how host governments can design fiscal regimes to ensure sustainable development, transparency, and macroeconomic stability.

The curriculum is structured around several core thematic pillars:

o       The Politics and Governance of Rent: Students analyze the concept of economic rent and the strategic behavior it triggers, such as rent-seeking. The course covers global transparency initiatives like the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) and the institutional design of Natural Resource Funds.

o       Fiscal Regimes and Revenue Sharing: An in-depth look at the instruments governments use to collect revenue, including taxation, royalties, and production-sharing agreements. It highlights complex revenue-sharing mechanisms between central and local governments, using case studies from Tanzania, Nigeria, Brazil, Canada, and the USA.

o       Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs): The course examines the theory and management of SWFs, including Stabilization Funds and Savings Funds. It introduces the Santiago Principles for good governance and debates the trade-offs between immediate consumption/growth and long-term permanent income.

o       Macroeconomic Sustainability: Students explore the linkages between the government, real, external, and monetary sectors in resource-rich economies. Key topics include Fiscal Vulnerability, Debt Sustainability Frameworks, and the application of the Permanent Income Hypothesis to ensure intergenerational equity.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to critically analyze fiscal regimes for extractive resources, evaluate policies supported by multilateral institutions like the World Bank, and apply macroeconomic principles to manage a nation's resource wealth effectively.

University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This course examines the fundamental trade-offs between economic growth and environmental preservation, providing students with the analytical tools to understand how market systems interact with the natural world. The curriculum begins by exploring the foundations of environmental economics, focusing on market efficiency and the various forms of market failure, such as externalities, public goods, and information asymmetry, that lead to environmental degradation. By identifying these systemic gaps, students develop a rigorous understanding of why unregulated markets often fail to protect environmental resources.

The syllabus further investigates environmental pollution and the diverse range of policy instruments available to manage it. Students learn to define optimal pollution levels by balancing marginal benefits against marginal costs and distinguish between flow and stock pollutants. The course critically evaluates both command-and-control regulations and market-based instruments, including carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems, with a particular focus on cost-efficiency and feasibility in both developed and developing countries. Additionally, the course covers the valuation of environmental services, introducing methodologies such as Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) to assess the societal value of environmental protection and ecosystem services.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand the interconnections between environmental change and economic systems, apply economic theory to analyze polluting behavior, and evaluate the effectiveness of various environmental policies. Furthermore, they will be proficient in conducting cost-benefit analyses and assessing the economic implications of environmental protection to support sustainable economic growth and informed decision-making.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the role of public procurement as a strategic driver for the green transition, the circular economy, and sustainable development. Given that public procurement represents approximately 14% of the EU’s GDP, the curriculum analyzes how this powerful market-shaping mechanism can influence productive structures and foster innovation. Students explore the legal frameworks of the European Union (Directives 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU) and their national implementation, focusing on the integration of environmental, social, and ESG criteria into technical specifications, award criteria, and contract performance clauses. Key methodological tools, such as Life-Cycle Costing (LCC), are examined in detail to assess the full environmental and economic impact of products and services from acquisition to disposal.

The syllabus extends beyond legal theory to address the complexities of sustainable supply chains, including product traceability, human rights protection along the value chain, and the emerging obligations of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Through the analysis of CJEU case law and national regulatory decisions, students learn to navigate the practical limits of green procurement, balancing sustainability objectives with the fundamental principles of competition, transparency, and proportionality. The course also bridges theory and practice through laboratory exercises where students design green calls for tenders, manage compliance risks, and evaluate bids using multi-dimensional sustainability indicators aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate specialized knowledge of the regulatory framework governing sustainable procurement and interpret complex case law. They will possess the practical skills to design procurement documents that incorporate ESG standards, apply life-cycle costing in decision-making, and identify legal risks or potential distortions of competition. Ultimately, graduates will be equipped to support both public administration and the private sector in formulating strategies that align public expenditure with international sustainability standards and responsible business practices

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This course examines how corporations address increasing regulatory and stakeholder pressures to align their economic activities with the needs of a sustainable natural environment and the protection of human rights. It establishes corporate governance as a fundamental pillar of sustainability, identifying the key drivers—such as shareholders, global regulations, and societal demands—that are pushing businesses toward long-term value creation. Students explore the core framework of sustainability, analyzing the specific environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges firms face and how these factors influence a company’s strategic organization.

The syllabus provides an in-depth look at the measurement and communication of sustainability performance, navigating the "multiverse" of reporting standards including the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The curriculum further addresses critical contemporary issues such as climate change risk, carbon measurement via the GHG Protocol, and the functioning of carbon markets like the EU ETS and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Additionally, the course covers the financial dimension of sustainability, exploring responsible investment principles, green bonds, and the growing regulatory pressures on financial institutions and banks.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand the risks and opportunities sustainability presents to the corporate environment and analyze the needs of diverse stakeholders. They will be proficient in identifying various methods for measuring sustainability performance, assessing both financial and "impact" implications, and evaluating the qualitative characteristics of sustainability reporting. Furthermore, students will be equipped to apply these insights to decision-making processes, adapting to new regulatory environments and demonstrating social and ethical responsibility in a professional context.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This course explores the evolving legal landscape of corporate governance, focusing on the structural shift from a purely shareholder-oriented model to one that integrates environmental and social considerations. Students examine how EU law defines the role and function of the company as both a legal and economic actor, analyzing how various corporate structures influence the application of sustainability rules. The curriculum demonstrates that sustainability has transitioned from a voluntary ethical consideration to a binding legal requirement within EU business law, fundamentally reshaping the normative framework in which modern companies operate.

The syllabus provides a detailed analysis of directors' duties, specifically how board-level decision-making increasingly incorporates long-term risks and sustainability impacts. It further investigates the regulatory power of transparency, examining how reporting and disclosure obligations function as mechanisms to influence corporate behavior. Key contemporary legal concepts are addressed, including corporate responsibility in value chains and the principle of due diligence, alongside an exploration of how sustainable finance frameworks and the EU Taxonomy Regulation create new incentives for corporate alignment with environmental objectives.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain the shift toward sustainable governance models and describe the legal role of the company within the European Union. They will possess the skills to assess the impact of transparency obligations on corporate strategy and understand the legal implications of responsibility within global supply chains. Furthermore, students will be equipped with the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to interpret complex legislative texts and policy documents, enabling them to provide structured legal reasoning in an international and interdisciplinary regulatory environment.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

This course provides students with the analytical frameworks and technical tools necessary to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental interventions. The curriculum is structured around the environmental policy cycle, guiding students through the stages of agenda setting, formulation, implementation, and systematic revision. Participants explore the foundations of environmental governance and the diverse range of policy instruments available to decision-makers, including regulatory "command-and-control" measures, market-based incentives, and voluntary agreements. Central to the course is the development of rigorous evaluation criteria, where policies are assessed based on their effectiveness, economic efficiency, equity, and long-term sustainability.

The syllabus emphasizes evidence-based decision-making through the use of data, monitoring systems, and sophisticated economic tools. Students gain practical experience in conducting Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA), as well as understanding Impact Assessment methodologies such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Furthermore, the course addresses the human dimension of policy through stakeholder analysis and participation, ultimately placing these evaluations within a global context by utilizing the international framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain each stage of the policy cycle and apply evaluation frameworks to diverse environmental programs. They will be proficient in conducting economic analyses for decision-making and assessing environmental, economic, and social impacts using appropriate indicators. Graduates will be equipped to produce structured, evidence-based policy evaluation reports and critically evaluate national and international environmental policies to support informed governance and sustainable outcomes.

University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This postgraduate course offers a rigorous exploration of the multidimensional hurdles to achieving global sustainability. It focuses on the critical intersection of economic growth, environmental integrity, and social equity. Students will analyze the complex dynamics of modern urbanization and rural development, examining how global patterns of human settlement impact natural resources. A central theme is the bi-directional relationship between the environment and food systems, providing students with the analytical tools to address food security and the creation of sustainable supply chains in an era of rapid climate change.

The curriculum delves into pressing ecological threats, specifically the depletion of biodiversity across oceans, fisheries, and forests. It employs a data-driven approach to study the uneven distribution of pollution and its direct consequences on public health and income levels globally. For instance, research indicates that sustained exposure to air pollution can reduce life expectancy by significantly high margins in specific regions—a phenomenon explored through case studies like China's Huai River policy.

A unique component of the syllabus is the focus on Environmental Justice and Social Equity. Students will examine historical inequalities in environmental policy-making, looking at how intersections of race and class often determine a community's exposure to environmental harm. In the United States, for example, studies have shown that people of color are exposed to 38% higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) than white populations, highlighting the critical need for equitable policy strategies.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

o       Articulate the link between environmental health and various dimensions of sustainable development.

o       Apply advanced economic concepts to design inclusive development frameworks.

o       Critically evaluate policy efficacy in domains such as sustainable agriculture, biodiversity protection, and pollution control.

o       Develop strategies for a "Just Transition" that ensures equitable access to clean resources for marginalized groups.

University of Aberdeen

ECTS: 7.5

This postgraduate course provides a comprehensive economic framework for managing the world’s natural capital. It examines how economic principles can be leveraged to ensure the efficient and equitable use of resources, balancing immediate economic needs with long-term ecological integrity. The curriculum explores the deep interactions between human activity and the environment, analyzing how scarcity, regeneration rates, and depletion paths influence global development and human welfare.

The syllabus is structured into three distinct sections:

o       Foundations & Analytical Tools: Students master the core concepts of intertemporal efficiency and dynamic optimization. This involves learning how to model resource use over time, accounting for the trade-offs between current consumption and future availability.

o       Resource-Specific Management: The course distinguishes between the management of non-renewable resources (e.g., minerals and fossil fuels) using the Hotelling framework to determine optimal extraction paths, and renewable resources (e.g., fisheries and forests). Students investigate the economic drivers of overexploitation and the challenges of managing "common property" regimes.

o       Applied Policy & Ecosystems: The final section applies these theories to critical real-world issues, including water scarcity, biodiversity conservation, and the valuation of ecosystem services. Students evaluate the effectiveness of various policy instruments—ranging from regulatory mandates to market-based solutions like fishing quotas—within global governance frameworks.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

o       Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the optimal use for both renewable and non-renewable resources.

o       Apply dynamic optimization techniques and intertemporal decision-making tools to real-world resource challenges.

o       Evaluate economic data to relate resource management strategies to the broader goal of sustainability.

o       Analyze the impact of international policy frameworks on shared global resources, such as transboundary water systems and oceanic biodiversity.

Athens University of Economics and Business

ECTS: 7.5

The Master Dissertation serves as the capstone of the postgraduate program, offering students a unique opportunity to design and execute an original research project within the field of the Green Transition. The primary objective is for students to transition from theoretical learning to independent scholarship by identifying a research gap, formulating hypotheses, and applying rigorous analytical methods to derive solid scientific inferences.

The project follows a formal academic structure, requiring the development of a thesis that includes:

o       Foundation & Theory: An abstract and introduction that establish the significance of the research question, followed by a comprehensive literature review that synthesizes existing studies and identifies the motivation for new research.

o       Hypothesis & Design: The development of logical arguments and research hypotheses, supported by an econometric or economic model. Students must clearly define their variables and justify their specific research design.

o       Data Analysis: Collection and analysis of empirical data, including the presentation of descriptive statistics and the execution of robustness tests to ensure the validity of the findings.

o       Synthesis & Contribution: An explanation of empirical results in the context of the original hypotheses, a summary of key contributions to the field, and an acknowledgment of limitations and future research opportunities.

Upon completion, the dissertation must be written in formal academic language and supported before a three-member examination committee. Evaluation is based on strict scientific criteria, including originality, depth of analysis, and the quality of the overall composition. The specific bibliography for the project is tailored to the chosen topic and defined in collaboration with the research supervisor.