Natural Resource Economics

This course aims to provide students with the necessary tools to analyze the natural resources issues from an economic point of view. In particular, the course is split in two main parts. In a first phase the natural resources conceptual framework is outlined and developed, while in the second part of the course will be discussed different themes related to specific natural resources issues (e.g.: air, soil, water, biodiversity ...) with both a regulatory and evaluation approach.

The skills acquired will make the students able to:
- understand the role of natural resources (air, water, climate, soil, biodiversity, landscape) in economic development;
- implement an efficient approach for a sustainable use of natural capital in respect to both non-renewable resources and renewable resources;
- understand the basic concepts related to the main economic tools for the management of natural resources
- understand how natural resources concerns can be integrated in policy instruments with specific focus on rural and agricultural sectors.