75906 - Environmental Economics

Learning outcomes

Economic growth and globalization are accompanied by (or imply) undesirable consequences concerning the environment and the residual volume of natural resource of the planet. The course illustrates (i) the environmental implications of production in advanced economic systems, (ii) the negative effects of unequal growth and (iii) possible short and long run remedies, in terms of both economic policy instruments and the development of clean technologies based on renewable resources. As a result, students will acquire the instruments needed for a critical assessment of the main elements of the current debate in this field.

Course contents

1) Genesis and evolution of environmental economics
2) Sustainable growth
3) The optimal level of pollution
4) Coase theorem and Pigouvian taxation
6) Environmental standards and pollution rights
7) Evaluting environmental damage
8) Renewable risourcesi: the optimal harvest
9) Non-renewable resources: the Hotelling rule
10) Economic growth and the preservation of natural resources
11) Market power, pollution and natural resources

Readings/Bibliography

D.W. Pearce e R.K. Turner, Economia delle risorse naturali e dell'ambiente, Bologna, Il Mulino (Economics of natural resources and the environment, Harvester-Weatsheaf)
The lecture slides are available on line (in particular those concerning topic (11), not contained in the texbook)
Additional material will be delivered in class

Teaching methods

Class lecture with slides

Assessment methods

Written examination or essays on subjects to be agreed upon with the teacher

Teaching tools

A few simple tools of calculus, fully illustrated in class.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Lambertini