What do economists teach about climate change? An analysis of introductory economics textbooks

Abstract

Is the training of economists keeping pace with the growing research on climate change? Is climate change considered a central or a specialized economic topic? This study documents the attention given to climate change in economics by conducting a comprehensive analysis of fifty-seven introductory textbooks. The findings reveal a notable divergence in perspectives across countries and between the domains of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. These divergences persist irrespective of individual academic standing, underscoring a pronounced schism within the profession regarding the emphasis placed on climate change in economic discourse.