Sustainable Development
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The objective of the course is provide students an overview of sustainable development from an environmental, social and economic perspective. This module will firstly explore the main issues and challenges related to sustainable development, with particular reference to environmental themes. The main sustainable development indicators together with the main environmental assessment methodologies will be then presented. The social and economic aspects of sustainable development will be then studied, analysing also the role of international institutions.
Expected learning outcomes
The course provide students an overview of the main issues related to sustainable development, and in particular to those related to environmental, social and economic aspects. Students will first learn that environment and development are strictly related, and how sustainable development can be achieved without compromising the environment. Students will learn the connection between economic and sustainable development, looking in particular to the mechanisms highlighted by the Environmental Kuznet Curve. Students will also learn that sustainable development is increasingly focused on social aspects, which are essential to guarantee the improvement of health and institutional conditions and social equity. Students will learn what are the main indicator of sustainable development and to use them to evaluate the level of sustainable development in different countries. Students will also learn how international institutions can help especially developing to enhance a higher level of development through the implementation of sustainable projects.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide students with an overview of sustainable development from an environmental, social and economic perspective. There will be two parts. In the first one the main environmental and economic aspects of sustainable development will be explored. The main themes will be the relationship between economic growth, climate change and sustainable development, looking in particular at the biodiversity loss, international trade, water-energy-food nexus, and Sustainable Development Goals. The second module will present some modelling tools used in the assessment of environmental and climate change impacts and policies. First, we will review the theoretical basis for such applied models: economic growth models and general equilibrium trade models. Then, we will carry out some practical applications during the class (Integrated Assessment Models and Computable General Equilibrium models). The practical applications will require the use of computers.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of math, microeconomics and econometrics are required.
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching. Lectures will be held in person
Teaching Resources
- Perman, R., Ma, Y., McGilvray, J., Common, M. (2003). Natural resource and environmental economics. Pearson Education.
- Barro, R.J., Sala-i-Martin, X. (2004). Economic Growth, MIT Press
- Sachs, J.D., The Age of Sustainable Development, Columbia University Press.
- Atkinson, G., Dietz, S., Neumayer, E., Agarwala, M. (eds.), Handbook of Sustainable Development (2nd ed.), Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Slides and lecture notes of the course
- Scientific articles suggested by the teacher
- Barro, R.J., Sala-i-Martin, X. (2004). Economic Growth, MIT Press
- Sachs, J.D., The Age of Sustainable Development, Columbia University Press.
- Atkinson, G., Dietz, S., Neumayer, E., Agarwala, M. (eds.), Handbook of Sustainable Development (2nd ed.), Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Slides and lecture notes of the course
- Scientific articles suggested by the teacher
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course is divided into two modules, and both will have written exams. The exam of the first module consists of open questions, where the knowledge of the basic concepts discussed during the course, the ability to understand the research questions, and the methodologies used in the scientific articles discussed during the course will be evaluated. The exam of the second module also consists of open questions about economic modeling of environmental and climate change impacts and policies and the theoretical foundations of such modelling approaches.
Professor(s)