The aim of the course is to: Identify and discuss the impact of the society and the economy on the environment, determine the factors which influence public and private sector policies in environmental management, Formulate and evaluate critical policies which seek to protect and conserve the natural resources, reduce the climatic risks and minimize exposure to these risks.

The topics include: The Environment, the Economy and Society (the relationships among the environment, society and economy, renewable and non-renewable resources in the Caribbean); Externalities and Market Failure (types of externalities, examples of  environmental  externalities within the region, public goods, methods of correcting market failure- policy options for the government); The Environment and National Income Accounting (the valuation of natural resources and environmental services, methods of valuation, the advantages and disadvantages of each valuation method); The International Framework for Environmental Policies (environmental treaties and protocols, Caribbean commitments to these treaties); Regional Vulnerability to Climatic Events (the challenge of climate change in the Caribbean, abatement and mitigation options, vulnerability and adaptation options);  The Environment and Sustainable Development (the impact of sectors of the economy on the environment, planning for environmental and economic sustainability, the institutions and structures for sustainable development, financing sustainable development, the challenges facing a sustainable development regime).