Course code Ekon3096

Credit points 3

Sustainable Development

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures8

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes24

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation29.10.2018

Responsible UnitInstitute of Economics and Finance

Course developer

author prof.

Modrīte Pelše

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Ekon2109, Macroeconomics

Ekon2119, Regional Economics

Course abstract

The course gives knowledge of the complex nature of development, in which three interrelated dimensions – economic growth, population prosperity and the environment – are equally important, while also stressing global problems that arise from ignoring the basic principles of sustainability. The course analyses natural and environmental resources in the context of development as well as the instruments affecting and regulating sustainable development at the international and national levels. The course deals with such categories as eco-efficiency, the eco footprint, the environmental and waste management systems etc.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
KNOWLEDGE of
1. Topicality of sustainable development at the international and national levels (discussions, Test 1).
2. Assessment of sustainable development dimensions: economic, environmental and social (group work and individual independent assignments).
3. Factors affecting sustainable development (study trip, debates, a test).
SKILLS to
1. Independently analyse and assess resources for development in the context of sustainability (individual independent assignments, the presentation).
2. Select information on topical issues of sustainable development and analyse it (individual independent assignments, group/pair work).
3. See the global nature of local problems of sustainable development (discussions, a test).
4. Plan their own time for the completion of the assignments given, cooperate with group members in doing assignments and a study (practical assignments, a study).
5. Find practical solutions by applying the knowledge acquired (study trip).
COMPETENCES to
1. Identify and analyse the factors affecting sustainable development (discussions in classes, a presentation).

2. Identify and assess local and global challenges for sustainable development (discussions in classes, a test).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. General idea and elements of sustainability. The concept, substance, goals and tasks of sustainable development (1 h – lecture)
2. Indicators of sustainable development (1 h – practical)
3. Poverty and its reduction (1 h – practical)
4. International activities for sustainable development (1 h – lecture)
5. Economic development – a guarantee of sustainability (2 h – practicals)
6. Goals of sustainable development in Latvia, competent institutions and key policy documents (1 h – lecture)
7. Analysis of wellbeing indicators (2 h – practicals)
8. Test 1 (1 h)
9. Pollution and waste (1 h – lecture)
10. Waste management system in the municipalities of Latvia (3 h – practicals, a study trip)
11. Eco-efficiency and the ecological footprint (1 h – lecture)
12. Natural resources, renewable and non-renewable sources (4 h – practicals)
13. Environment-friendly supply of goods and services in Latvia (2 h – practicals, a study assignment)
14. Environmental management system. The international standard ISO 14001 (1 h – lecture)
15. Assessment of environmental indicators at the regional level (2 h – practicals, a study trip)
16. Genetically modified organisms and sustainable development (1 h – seminar)
17. Green economy. Green procurement. Environment-friendly goods and services (1 h – lecture)
18. Effects of globalisation on the sustainable development process (1 h – lecture)
19. Global warming (1 h – seminar)
20. Test 2 (1 h)

21. Urgency of sustainable development and future challenges (1 h – practical; 1 h - seminar)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The student has to pass two tests on the topics of the course and make a presentation of some of environmental resources assessed in the sustainable development context and present it in a practical, as well as complete and submit independent assignments and practical assignments performed during practicals on sustainable development dimensions and the characteristics thereof.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student has to complete an independent assignment on an environmental resource and present it (in PowrPoint – 10 slides) in practicals. Group work – an assessment of economic and wellbeing indicators in Latvia. Small group work – a study of the visibility of environment-friendly goods. The student has to prepare informative material on urgent sustainable development problems.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark in the course is based on four pieces of assessment, with a 25% weight each:
1) Test 1 on the urgency of sustainable development and international activities;
2) presentation of natural resources;
3) Test 2 on factors affecting sustainable development and dependent variables;
4) activity during practicals and the completion of the assignments given.
10% are equal to one point on a 10-point marking scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Atstāja Dz., Dimante Dž., Brīvers I. u.c. Vide un ekonomika. Monogrāfija. Rīga: LU, 2011. 256 lpp.
2. Bakari M. El-Kamel. The Dilemma of Sustainablility in the Age of Globalization: A Quest for a Paradigm of Development. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2017. 223 p.
3. Klimats un ilgtspējīga attīstība. M. Kļaviņa un J. Zaļokšņa redakcijā. Rīgā: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2016. 384 lpp.

Further reading

1. Brebbia C.A., Miralles i Garcia J.L. Environmental and Economic Impact on Sustainable Development. UK: WIT Press, 2017. 250 p.
2. Čekstere A., Smirnova O. Vides un ilgtspējīgas attīstības mācīšanās rokasgrāmata studentiem. Rīga: LU, 2011. 115 lpp.
3. Hite K.A., Seitz J.L. Global Issues: an introduction. 5th edition. The Atrium, Southerm Gate, Chichester, Wes Sussex : John Wiley & Sons, 2016. 335 p.
4. Iedvesmojoši ekociematu stāsti: eko tehnoloģiju un prakses piemēri. Redaktori: A. Palojärvi, J. Pyysiäinen, M. Saloranta. Viļņa: BMK Leidykla, 2013. 118 lpp.
5. Johannesburgas deklarācija par ilgtspējīgu attīstību. Pieņemta 4.septembrī 2002. gadā.
6. Krūzs K. Dabas un otrreizējo resursu izmantošana. Mācību līdzeklis. Rīga: Izglītības soļi, 2003. 131 lpp.
7. Latvijas ilgtspējīgas attīstības stratēģija līdz 2030.gadam. LR Saeima, Rīga, 2010. 99 lpp.
8. Meadowcroft J. Governance, Democracy and Sustainable Development: Moving beyond impasse. USA: Edward Elgar, 2012. 340 p
9. Meža apsaimniekošana klimata izmaiņu kontekstā. Rīga: LR Zemkopības ministrija. [b. g.]. 34 lpp.
10. Pelše M., Naglis-Liepa K., Zēverte-Rivža S., Strīķis V. (autoru kolektīvā) Atjaunojamā enerģija un tās efektīva izmantošana Latvijā. Monogrāfija (1., 2., 7., 8.nodaļa). Jelgava: LLU, 2012. 12.-37., 315.-379. lpp.
11. Rivža B., Zvirbule A., Grīnberga-Zālīte G., Pelše M., Jermolajeva E., Krūzmētra M., Rivža P., Štefenberga D., Gudele I., Ābele L., Hohlova V. (2022) Latvijas spēks ilgi pastāvēt. Jelgava: SIA Jelgavas Tipogrāfija. 479 lpp.
12. Rompcyk E. Gribam ilgtspējīgu attīstību. Rīga: aģentūra DUE, 2007. 152 lpp.
13. Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība Māra Kļaviņa un Jāņa Zaļokšņa redakcijā. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010. 334 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Ekonomikas ministrija http://www.em.gov.lv
2. Labklājības ministrija https://www.lm.gov.lv/
3. Laikraksts „Diena”, „Dienas Bizness”
4. Žurnāls „GEO”
5. Žurnāls „Vides Vēstis”
6. Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrija http://www.varam.gov.lv