Green Markets: Environmental Opportunities and Pitfalls

4.0 credits

In recent years, there has been much discussion, often highly contentious, of the possibility of a green economy. This course examines the potential for "green markets," focusing on three drivers-social, political, and economic-that can both constrain firms and potentially condition whether issues of environment and sustainability can be exploited as a means for competitive advantage. Among issues covered will be demand and willingness to pay for green goods, the roles of NGOs and investors, regulation and its alternatives, firm reputation and product differentiation, supply chain management, and green production processes. Special attention will be directed to the need for firms to deal with climate change in a highly volatile present and in a very uncertain future.