In a concise and crisp manner, this book presents the state of the art in ecological economics, an interdisciplinary field focused on the analysis of sustainability of global, national and regional economic systems. An elegant guide, the book offers a range of cutting edge methods used in sustainability research including multicriteria decision aid (MCDA), input-output analysis, and life cycle analysis.

This book is packed with references for students with some background in economics, environmental science or mathematics who aim to develop the analytical skills required for redirecting our development path towards sustainability in government, international organisations, academia, non-profit sector and business. As such, the book is primarily aimed at MSc and first year PhD students reading for degrees in Environmental Change and Management, Ecological Economics, Environmental Management, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and those taking part in similar programmes.

The book strives to develop the idea that a significant adjustment of the current economic theories is required, an idea supported by the emerged world economic crisis, the climatic and biodiversity crisis the world is currently facing and the enormously slow progress that has been made in the field of reorientation of the global economy towards sustainability.

The practical case studies provided focus on the most pressing topics of today, and the book adopts a positive approach for problem solving and strategic development, which is aimed at educating the future decision makers and business leaders.

Inhalt

Part I: Theory of Ecological Economics.- Introduction.- 1. The Economic System and the Environment.- 2. Industrial Ecology: Material and Energy Flows, Life Cycle Analysis.- 3. The Big Picture Vision and the Environment: An International Perspective.- 4. Economic Valuation and Decision Making: MCDA as a tool for the Future.- 5. Macroeconomy: Market Failures and Externalities: What Can Be Done.- 6. Economic Models and the Environment: Input-Output Analysis.- 7. Sustainable Development: Measuring Progress.- Part II: Ecological-Economic Applications.- 8. Climate Change and Renewable Energy: How to Choose the Optimal Pool of Technologies.- 9. Biodiversity Loss: New Methods for Evaluating Ecosystems.- 10. Sustainable Cities: Interdisciplinary Perspective.- 11. Regional Waste Management: Multicriteria Modelling.- 12. Business and Sustainable Development: CSR in Practice.- Index.