Exam questions – Sustainability Economics
Year 2024
1. Level of the iceberg. How can you link it to environmental and ecological economics. Also
which one is most relevant of both schools for todays climate challenges. Something with cars
( emissions) what level does it touch in the iceberg and give an example of another thing
which could be implemented on one of the levels.
2. She gives a text: and then you have to say to which schools of thought it relates the most
(behavioural economics) then how does it differ from homo economicus.
3. North south justice - what is distributional procedural and recognitional. Give an example of.
Post effects and root causes to what distributional procedural recognitional does it relate. Does
climate action always lead to climate justice
4. Double materiality why important for business and investors. Use a company and do a double
materiality analysis on them, and give recommendations. (Eg IKEA). Eu taxonomy what is
and is it good for sustainability does it always leads to it.
Year 2023
Question 1:
a) Describe the three discourses of looking at the climate crisis (6pt)
b) In which of these discourses, is an antropocentric and in which is a biocentric point of view taken?
Explain the concepts. (3pt)
c) With which discourse do you identify the most and why? (1pt)
Question 2:
a) What is the difference between environmental economics and ecological economics? (2pt)
b) In which of these two schools of thought would you categorise Kate Raworth? Explain. (3pt)
c) Would you utilize a Cost-Benefit Analysis or a Multi-Criteria Analysis for the selection of the location of
a new production facility? Why? To which of the two schools of thought do each of these methods
relate? Explain. (5pt)
Question 3:
a) Explain the concept of shared value. How does this link to stakeholder capitalism? (4pt)
b) Explain the category ‘Good Samaritan’. Give an example of an organization that fits in this category
and explain why. (3pt)
c) Is shared value a feasible business concept for all existing companies? Explain why (not). (3pt)
Question 4:
a) What is decoupling? To which extent can decoupling be observed at a global scale? (2pt)
b) As explained by Prof. Philippe Roman during the debate, one of the barriers to decoupling is cost
shifting. Explain what this entails. What kind of policy measure could prevent this?
Another barrier to decoupling is rebound effects. What is their relation to decoupling? (5pt)
c) Gregory Berleur discussed the concept of ‘rethinking our norms’. Following his example, what would
you change in your own life to have a substantial positive impact? Name three actions, explain how
you would implement them and how long you would be willing to do them. (3pt)
Year 2024
1. Level of the iceberg. How can you link it to environmental and ecological economics. Also
which one is most relevant of both schools for todays climate challenges. Something with cars
( emissions) what level does it touch in the iceberg and give an example of another thing
which could be implemented on one of the levels.
2. She gives a text: and then you have to say to which schools of thought it relates the most
(behavioural economics) then how does it differ from homo economicus.
3. North south justice - what is distributional procedural and recognitional. Give an example of.
Post effects and root causes to what distributional procedural recognitional does it relate. Does
climate action always lead to climate justice
4. Double materiality why important for business and investors. Use a company and do a double
materiality analysis on them, and give recommendations. (Eg IKEA). Eu taxonomy what is
and is it good for sustainability does it always leads to it.
Year 2023
Question 1:
a) Describe the three discourses of looking at the climate crisis (6pt)
b) In which of these discourses, is an antropocentric and in which is a biocentric point of view taken?
Explain the concepts. (3pt)
c) With which discourse do you identify the most and why? (1pt)
Question 2:
a) What is the difference between environmental economics and ecological economics? (2pt)
b) In which of these two schools of thought would you categorise Kate Raworth? Explain. (3pt)
c) Would you utilize a Cost-Benefit Analysis or a Multi-Criteria Analysis for the selection of the location of
a new production facility? Why? To which of the two schools of thought do each of these methods
relate? Explain. (5pt)
Question 3:
a) Explain the concept of shared value. How does this link to stakeholder capitalism? (4pt)
b) Explain the category ‘Good Samaritan’. Give an example of an organization that fits in this category
and explain why. (3pt)
c) Is shared value a feasible business concept for all existing companies? Explain why (not). (3pt)
Question 4:
a) What is decoupling? To which extent can decoupling be observed at a global scale? (2pt)
b) As explained by Prof. Philippe Roman during the debate, one of the barriers to decoupling is cost
shifting. Explain what this entails. What kind of policy measure could prevent this?
Another barrier to decoupling is rebound effects. What is their relation to decoupling? (5pt)
c) Gregory Berleur discussed the concept of ‘rethinking our norms’. Following his example, what would
you change in your own life to have a substantial positive impact? Name three actions, explain how
you would implement them and how long you would be willing to do them. (3pt)
