ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Basic knowledge of economics
Assessment for attending students: group work and a 30-minute written test. Group work and written test each count for 50% of the final grade.
The group work is divided into 3 parts: 1) study and synthesis of a topic proposed by the lecturer on sustainable development and wellbeing; 2) related analysis of data and indicators on sustainable development and wellbeing; 3) class presentation.
The written test is structured in some multiple-choice questions and open questions. Details on the number and scoring of questions and sections will be published on the course webpage.
There are 2 partial tests (mid-term and end of course) with the same modalities as the written test.
Assessment for NON attending students: 60-minute written text structured in some multiple-choice questions and open questions. Details on the number and scoring of questions and sections will be advertised on the course webpage.
The aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge of the recent development of the economic science, which - starting from the environmental economics – aims to explore the relationships between economics, environment and society. In recent decades, a number of theories and empirical studies have developed that, questioning the mechanistic approach of traditional economic theory, address the issue of the relationship between the economic, environmental and ethical-social dimensions. Methodologies for measuring well-being that “go beyond GDP” have also been proposed.
EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS
At the end of the course students will be able to critically discuss topics related to the following questions:
- What is Sustainable Development? What dimensions make it up?
- What is the link between Economy, Environment and Society?
- What Sustainable Development strategies can be implemented by businesses? And in what ways?
- What is the role of public policy in supporting the transition to Sustainable Development and Circular Economy?
- How can the well-being of a society be measured?
Attending students will also learn how to manage, process and critically analyze data and indicators.
Part I: Fundamentals of environmental economics and policy.
- Economic approach to environmental analysis and the limits to growth
- Externalities, public goods, environmental goods, and efficient allocations of environmental resources
- Economic instruments of environmental policy and the limits of public intervention: command-and-control instruments, tax-subsidies, property rights, and emissions markets
Part II: Sustainable development and circular economy
- Definition and historical evolution of the concept of sustainable development
- Dimensions, criteria and models of analysis of sustainable development
- Sustainable Development Goals and policies: UN 2030 Agenda, European Green Deal, etc.
- Transition from circular economy to linear economy and the bioeconomy
- Social responsibility and corporate strategies
- Industrial Symbiosis
- Climate change and the economy
- Sustainable development indicators
Part III: Economics and Ethics
- Determinants of well-being and happiness
- Multidimensional indicators of a society's well-being and the issues related to GDP.
Classroom work sessions dedicated to the processing of data and indicators for the purpose of preparing group work are planned (see “teaching methods” and “learning verification methods”).
The contents consist of three main parts, which provide an understanding of the complex relationship between the economy, the environment and society-ethics in a world in rapid transition. The three parts are: 1. Fundamentals of economics and environmental policy; 2. Sustainable development and circular economy; 3. Economics and ethics
Details of the program can be found in the “course content” section above.
Lectures in class with projection of slides, seminars and case studies by experts from the working world (consultants, managers, public institutions’ employees, etc.) (45h). During the integrative teaching hours and frontal hours, some time will be devoted to the development of data and indicators elaboration for the group work, as well as for discussion.
Students are encouraged to actively participate to classes, by asking questions and/or making comments.
Before or after class or by appointment, in-person or remote.
The reading list is available on the course's webpage in E-learning. Slides and articles/documents on different topics will be made available
A Tutoring Service is available at the Department of Economics. More
detailed information is available at the following link:
https://www.uninsubria.it/servizi/tutti-i-servizi/tutorato-dieco