When analysing the economic environment, whatever our field of study is, the approach should be directed to the understanding of the framework in which our activities are taking place, and therefore, knowing to what extent the issues such as the economic situation of the country, the functioning of the markets or the value of the CPI influence decision-making within the company. We will begin with the most detailed analysis of the economy, that is, the microeconomic analysis, in order to see how the markets of goods and services work, where the individual decisions of buyers and producers take place and how both reach an agreement based on the price mechanism. Once the criteria for individual economic decisions have been defined, we will move on to describe how the main economic problems are measured at an aggregated level, that is, at the macroeconomic level, to see how to calculate the inflation rate; the unemployment rate and the growth rate of an economy. Next, we will carry out an economic analysis with direct references to the case of Spain to see how the country achieves economic growth and establishes production factors, economic sectors and institutional aspects determining economic growth. Finally, and within the framework of current globalization and increasing internationalization of economic relations, we will review the main issues and problems of the current international economy. To start with the analysis of economic decision-making, we will begin by raising some basic questions in order to understand the economic reasoning and will propose the definition of “economics”, which will serve as the starting point for the analysis of the economic environment

This book introduces the basic tools of dynamic optimization in economics to study environmental problems, applies econometric methods to estimate and test the models derived by dynamic optimization, and discusses environmental problems in a broad perspective, including the design and implementation of environmental policies. Although the coverage is selective, it represents what the author has to offer from his perspective and experience gained in research in dynamic optimization, econometrics and policy analysis, especially for China. The volume is self-contained for readers with mathematical background of first-year graduate students in the analytical fields of science and engineering but only limited training in economics, while an economics text presumes more knowledge of economics. Once the tools are mastered, the reader can pursue his own research on the topic if he is interested, or simply become a more mature citizen in the global economy.

It has always been thought that some level of pollution and waste is unavoidable in development projects. But no one has made much effort to quantify and assess the extent of this sort of damage. In this book a group of analysts from the Asian Development Bank and from the East West Center propose a means of constructing useful economic evaluations of the impacts of development projects on the environments in which they are constructed. This study demands the systematic evaluation of all the intentional and unintentional consequences of development initiatives before they are determined upon. It is essential reading for development economists, analysts and bankers. Originally published in 1986

Is economic growth good for the environment? A number of economists have claimed that economic growth can benefit the environment, recruiting political support and finance for environmental policy measures. This view has received increasing support since the early 1990s from empirical evidence that has challenged the traditional environmentalist's belief that economic growth degrades the environment. This book reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on growth and the environment, giving an in-depth empirical treatment of the relationship between the two. Various hypotheses are formulated and tested for a number of indicators of environmental pressure. The test results indicate that alternative models and estimation methods should be used, altering previous conclusions about the effect of economic growth on the environment and offering an insight into the forces driving emission reduction in developed countries.

This revised and updated guide to the environmental economics of development projects demonstrates how the environmental impacts of projects can be translated into monetary values. The theoretical bases are examined, and the techniques themselves given detailed exposition, supported by extensive case studies illustrating a wide range of applications. The text should become a useful complement to all standard forms of project analysis.

Based on the curriculum for the Understanding the Economic Environment Paper for 1st year students of the New Zealand Diploma of Business, run through polytechnics.

Ecological economics seeks to socially construct a political economics which will deal successfully with environmental problems and make the individual more visible in economic analysis. The author describes the principles, strategies and instruments of social change for key players - governmental agencies, business corporations, environmental and religious organizations and universities - and underlines their responsibilities in the market economy. Peter Soderbaum emphasizes the need to articulate ideologies, worldviews, ethics and related scientific perspectives as part of economics, and the importance of pluralism and democratic decision making. His account of the theories and means that will brings us closer to a sustainable society consider tools such as environmental impact assessment (EIA) and describes success indicators such as environmental labelling and environmental management systems (EMS). It highlights strategies and policies that facilitate social change and sets out future agendas for the individual actors in political economics.