Dr Luke McGrath
Lecturer in Economics
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway
Luke's main research interests lie in the economics of sustainable development and regional development policy. He has published his research on theoretically grounded measures of sustainable development in leading field journals across environmental economics (Ecological Economics), development economics (Review of Income & Wealth) and economic history (European Review of Economic History).
Luke is a former Irish Research Council scholar, the recipient of the Labhrás Ó Nualláin prize, as well as the title of University Scholar from the University of Galway and a finalist for the Miriam Hederman O'Brien prize awarded by the Foundation for Fiscal Studies.
Prior to his academic career, Luke served as an economist for over five years in the civil and public service with the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service (IGEES) and the Western Development Commission (WDC). He has published policy reports and submissions in relation to the National Development Plan and the regional impacts of Covid-19.
Luke's work contributes to these SDGs
Luke's research has focused on going "Beyond GDP" by constructing theoretically grounded measures of sustainable economic development as well as the integration of sustainable development measurements into practical and coherent policy-based frameworks.
Key Targets: 17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development, 17.19 Further develop measurements of progress
Teaching
Luke applies his research expertise in the economics of sustainable development across his teaching.
Green & Sustainable Finance Transforming the global economy to make it more sustainable requires large investments, especially for enabling a green and low-carbon transition. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the important role of financial markets in the transition to a climate-neutral, green, competitive and inclusive economy. The module explores the requirements to mobilise financial markets to align with environmental and climate targets, and focuses on the different financial products and instruments that can power the transition. Overall, the course will consider how to embed green and sustainable finance principles and practice into financial decision-making.
Focused on Targets: 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters, 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into policy and planning, 13.3 Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change; 8.1 Sustainable economic growth
Economics of Public Policy
This course provides students with the analytical foundations to explore the balance between private and public resource allocation in modern economies. Students learn about the ethical and economic concepts that underpin policy analysis as well as tools to conduct policy analysis. Specifically, students will delve into various aspects related to the role of government intervention and explore tools to critically analyse the efficiency and efficacy of different policy designs.
Focused on Targets: 13.3 Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change; 4.4 Increase the number of people with relevant skills for financial success; 10.2 Promote universal social, economic and political inclusion; SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing
Engagement
Dr McGrath is a member of Natural Capital Ireland, a not-for-profit organisation advocating for the natural capital approach. The vision of Natural Capital Ireland is an Ireland in which the value of nature is accounted for in all decision-making.
Direct impact SDG Targets
15.9 - Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity in governmental planning
17.14 - Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development
17.19 - Further develop measurements of progress
Indirect impact
1.4 - Equal rights to ownership, basic services, technology and economic resources
1.5 - Build resilience to environmental, economic and social disasters
12.C - Remove market distortions that encourage wasteful consumption
14.6 - End subsidies contributing to overfishing
17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development
17.16 - Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development
17.19 Build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries.
Research
Featured Publications
Luke's main research interests lie in the economics of sustainable development and regional development policy. He has published his research on theoretically grounded measures of sustainable development in leading field journals across environmental economics (Ecological Economics), development economics (Review of Income & Wealth) and economic history (European Review of Economic History).
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References |
SDGs |
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McGrath, L., Hynes, S., McHale, J. (2024). Advancing testing of the genuine savings hypothesis: The use of comprehensive measures of technical change for Ireland. Journal of Environmental Management, 352, 120072. |
8.1; 15.1; 17.10 |
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McGrath, L., Hynes, S., McHale, J. (2020). Linking sustainable development assessment in Ireland and the European Union with economic theory. Economic and Social Review, 51(2), 327-355. |
12 |
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McGrath, L., Hynes, S., McHale, J. (2019). Augmenting the World Bank's estimates: Ireland's genuine savings through boom and bust. Ecological Economics, 165. |
8; 15 |
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McGrath, L., Hynes, S., McHale, J. (2022). The Air We Breathe: Estimates of Air Pollution Extended Genuine Savings for Europe. Review of Income and Wealth, 68(1), 161-188. |
15.1; 8.1; 17.1 |
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McGrath, L., Hynes, S. (2020). Approaches to accounting for our natural capital: Applications across Ireland. Biology and Environment, 120B(2), 153-174. |
8; 15 |
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McGrath, L., Hynes, S., McHale, J. (2022). Reassessing Ireland's economic development through the lens of sustainable development. European Review of Economic History, 26(3), 399-422. |
4 |
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McGrath, L. (2022). Some Missing Links in Ireland’s National Well-Being Framework. Economic and Social Review, 53(4), 299-330. |
8 |