Sustainable development
A.A. 2025/2026
Obiettivi formativi
The course will introduce students to the theory and empirical foundation of sustainable development.
After the introduction of the concept and history of sustainable development, the more theoretical part of the course will present analytically the concept of sustainability in the context of modern growth theory emphasizing the dichotomy optimality vs sustainability, the introduction of non-renewable resources and the concept of decoupling.
The second part of the course will introduce the different dimensions of sustainability, it will present what is the role of sustainable development in the international setting and in the international policy agenda. The applied part of this module will introduce the main sustainable development indicators and it will analyse the relationship between economic development and the environment.
After the introduction of the concept and history of sustainable development, the more theoretical part of the course will present analytically the concept of sustainability in the context of modern growth theory emphasizing the dichotomy optimality vs sustainability, the introduction of non-renewable resources and the concept of decoupling.
The second part of the course will introduce the different dimensions of sustainability, it will present what is the role of sustainable development in the international setting and in the international policy agenda. The applied part of this module will introduce the main sustainable development indicators and it will analyse the relationship between economic development and the environment.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
At the end of the course students will get acquainted with the fundamental models of macro-economic growth theory, will be able to apply them and interpret their results in the broader context of sustainability and sustainable development.
Furthermore, they will familiarize with the multidimensional concept of sustainability, understand trade off and potential complementarities across sustainable development dimensions, they will get a clear view of the multiple challenges that economic policies have to face to promote sustainability, and also of the opportunities that may arise. Finally, they will be updated on the ongoing international UN debate on sustainable development. Overall, the course will improve the students' capacity to address the sustainability challenge with an holistic and integrated perspective, supporting the idea that complexity can be managed.
Furthermore, they will familiarize with the multidimensional concept of sustainability, understand trade off and potential complementarities across sustainable development dimensions, they will get a clear view of the multiple challenges that economic policies have to face to promote sustainability, and also of the opportunities that may arise. Finally, they will be updated on the ongoing international UN debate on sustainable development. Overall, the course will improve the students' capacity to address the sustainability challenge with an holistic and integrated perspective, supporting the idea that complexity can be managed.
Periodo: Secondo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Secondo semestre
Programma
The course aims to provide students with an overview of sustainable development from an environmental, social and economic perspective. There will be two parts. The first 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. In the second part 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. We will examine and review scientific articles.
Prerequisiti
Basic knowledge of math, microeconomics and econometrics are required.
Metodi didattici
Frontal teaching. Lectures will be held in person.
Materiale di riferimento
- Perman R., Ma Y., Mcgilvray J., Common M. (2003). Natural Resource and
Environmental Economics, Pearson (3rd edition)
- Hertel T.W. (1997). Global trade analysis: modeling and applications, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Barro, R.J., Sala-i-Martin, X.I., 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
Environmental Economics, Pearson (3rd edition)
- Hertel T.W. (1997). Global trade analysis: modeling and applications, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Barro, R.J., Sala-i-Martin, X.I., 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
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The course is divided into two parts. The exam of the first part is written and will consist of a few open questions, whereas an oral exam will be scheduled for the second part. The second part of the course will consist in the study and review of some scientific papers.
Docente/i