ECO0378 - ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

courses

ID:

ECO0378

Duration (hours):

57

CFU:

SSD:

ECONOMIA APPLICATA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (16/02/2026 - 29/05/2026)

Course Objectives

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 been developed, questioning the mechanistic approach of traditional economic theory and addressing the interrelationship 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 are the theoretical foundations of environmental economics? - What is the link between Economy, Environment and Society? - What is Sustainable Development? Which dimensions are included? - What Sustainable Development strategies can be implemented by companies and public organisations? And how are they implemented? - What is the transition from linear to circular economy? - Which is the role of public policies in supporting the transition to Sustainable Development and Circular Economy? - How can the well-being of an individual and the whole society be measured? Attending students will also learn how to manage, process and critically analyze data and indicators on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda ONU 2030.

Course Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of economics

Teaching Methods

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.

Assessment Methods

Assessment for attending students: group work and a 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 chosen with the lecturer on sustainable development goals; 2) related analysis of data and indicators on sustainable development goals (SDGs); 3) class presentation and discussion. The written examination is composed by two partial tests (mid-term and end of course) of 30-minutes duration. Each test is structured in 13 multiple-choice questions (value of 2 points each) and 1 open question on a choice of two (value of max 5 points). To pass the examination is required a minimum mark of 18/30 for each partial test; the final mark is given by the rounded arithmetic mean of the marks for the two partial tests (50%) and by the mark for the project work (50%). Assessment for NON attending students who are unable to attend the 2 partial tests and the project work: 60-minute written text structured in 22 multiple-choice questions (value of 1 point each) and 2 open questions (max value of 4 points each).

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, dimensions, criteria and models of analysis of sustainable development - Sustainable Development Goals and policies' evolution: UN 2030 Agenda, European Green Deal, etc. - Sustainable development measurement - Transition from linear economy to circular economy, bioeconomy and Industrial Symbiosis - Climate change and the economy - Social responsibility and corporate strategies. Part III: Economics and Ethics - Determinants of individual well-being and happiness - The problems of GDP as well-being indicator - Multidimensional indicators of a society's well-being. During the integrative teaching hours specific work sessions are dedicated to the processing of data and indicators on SDGs Agenda ONU 2030 for the purpose of preparing a group work (see “teaching methods” and “learning verification methods”).

Course Language

Italian

More information

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