Abstract
This paper describes a module on sustainable development at Moscow State University. The module covers human, social, political, economic and technological issues, which together define the sustainable development agenda. The paper will be of interest to GEES academics already running similar courses, or who may be considering an increased emphasis on sustainable development in their own departments.
Introduction
A module entitled ‘Sustainable Development’ in the Department of Economics at Moscow State University provides an analysis of the concepts of sustainable development. This concept is intended to link socio-economic development issues with environmental issues so as to maintain a balance between them which will satisfy the needs of both current and future generations. The module provides students with an understanding of the need to move away from traditional models of economic development, that are commonly accepted around the world, towards a more holistic approach towards sustainable development. More specifically, the course includes components on understanding the role of social and ecological factors in effective long-term development; assessing the criteria for sustainable development and the main lines along which it can be achieved, and analysing economic and political factors, such as state regulation and market mechanisms, which can influence the transition towards sustainable development.
The module was prepared within the framework of a United Nations Development Programme on ‘Masters Course on Human Development’ framework. The length of the module is 32 hours and there are six main topics to be covered by students on the course, as outlined below.
(1) Human Development and the Ecological Factor
This topic involves understanding the role of ecological factors in human development and raising awareness about the anthropogenic effect on nature. The topic also considers how mainstream economic theories (e.g. Adam Smith, Karl Marx, John Keynes etc.) have generally under-estimated the negative externalities on the environment imposed by economic development. The topic also assesses different economic growth scenarios and how sustainable they are.
(2) The Concept of Sustainable Development
This topic starts with an introduction to the UN World Commission report entitled ‘Our Common Future’ (1987). This documents the concepts of future human and sustainable development and highlights how current economic development models need to change in order to incorporate more sustainable thinking. The topic also looks at other important sustainability documents such as ‘The Agenda for the 21st Century’ (Rio, 1992). In particular, the topic also considers in detail negative externalities (e.g. transport, global, sectoral, local) caused by current economic development and how such externalities can be internalised.
(3) Sustainable Development Criteria and Indicators
This topic considers some indicators of sustainable development such as quality of life, levels of economic development and ecological stability. The topic also covers criteria for assessing sustainable development such as energy intensity, water intensity, pollution levels, reserves of renewable and non-renewable resources, waste management and it assesses how these can be measured over time.
The topic also looks at specific indicators of human, social and economic development and how the natural environment can be measured in terms of cost-benefit analyses.
(4) Transition to Sustainable Development: Global Perspectives
This topic takes a global perspective in considering how different countries are facing various sustainable development issues such as the maintenance of air quality, mitigating deforestation, conserving biological diversity, safeguarding freshwater resources from pollution, managing waste and land-use. The topic also looks at how lobby groups play a role in bringing about change at a governmental level.
(5) State Policy and Market Mechanisms on the transition to Sustainable Development
This topic looks at how economic policy can affect sustainable development. Macro-economic policies are considered (e.g. the use of environment taxes) and in particular the way in which they can provide incentives to promote more sustainable development. Environmental policies such as charging for natural resource usage, emissions and tradable permits are also discussed (e.g. the ‘polluter pays’ principle).
(6) Russia’s Problems in the Transition to SD
This topic discusses why Russia needs to move towards a more sustainable type of economic development at the social level (e.g. declining health, outward population migration), environmental health levels (e.g. depletion of natural resources, pollution and waste problems) and economic levels (e.g. restrictions on investment). The topic then looks at some methods that could be more widely adopted and adapted in bringing about more sustainable development (e.g. low-waste and resource-conserving technologies, water purification plants, re-cultivation and land-use change, economic structural changes).
Conclusion
This paper has provided an overview of a module on sustainable development at Moscow State University. We believe that the course provides us students with a good understanding of sustainable development. It could be adopted and/or adapted at UK institutions to cover UK-based initiatives and policies and to link in with other environmental education modules in the GEES disciplines.