The course aims at analyzing the interactions that exist between economic systems and the environment, and to study both from a theoretical and an empirical perspective different approaches to public policy interventions. Particular attention is devoted to the analysis of the role of government and its influence on the economy, and to the role of the public sector in the promotion of sustainable economic development. Typical tools of public policy will be presented, and their effectiveness will be discussed under different economic and environmental conditions. The final part of the course focuses on the empirical analysis of public policies for the environment and introduces methods for counterfactual policy evaluation.
None.
The course combines traditional lectures with empirical applications aimed at applying concepts previously introduced. Both traditional lectures and empirical sessions aim at fostering participation and class discussion. Collection of readings and case studies will be indicated during the course.
The final evaluation consists of: - Applied assignment during the semester for those attending (40%) - Written exam at the end of the semester (60%) For those non-attending the course there will be the option to take the full written exam (100%)
- An introduction to natural resource and environmental economics
- The origins of the sustainability problem
- Ethics, economics and the environment
- Welfare economics and the environment
- Pollution control: targets
- Pollution control: instruments
- Pollution policy with imperfect information
- International environmental problems
- Environmental cost-benefit analysis
- Valuing the environment
- Irreversibility, risk and uncertainty
