87172 - ECONOMIA DELL'AMBIENTE

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the students the foundations of the environmental economics and its methods. At the end of the course the students will be able to know a good terminology, methodologies and to discuss the main environmental economic topics.

Course contents

The course aims to provide students with a solid theoretical and practical foundation to understand the economic dynamics related to environmental and energy issues. In particular, the course offers an in-depth overview of topics at the intersection of economics, environment, and energy. Students will begin by exploring the fundamental concepts of environmental economics, understanding key definitions, environmental externalities, and the crucial role of public goods and common resources. The principle of sustainability will be examined in depth, analyzing its economic and social implications.

Subsequently, the focus will shift to economic theories applied to the environment, examining the causes and consequences of environmental externalities and the policies to address them. Students will learn techniques for the economic valuation of environmental damages, including the estimation of pollution costs and the economic value of biodiversity.

The central part of the course will concentrate on environmental policy instruments, exploring the various regulatory and market measures available to mitigate environmental problems. Tools such as environmental taxes, pollution permits, and various types of regulation will be studied, with particular attention to the efficiency and effectiveness of these policies.

The study of energy markets will then be introduced. Factors influencing the demand and supply of energy, as well as their impact on energy prices, will be examined. Subsequently, the course will delve into energy resources and sustainability, analyzing various energy sources with a particular emphasis on renewables such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. The challenges and opportunities associated with the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon energy system will be discussed.

Energy and environmental policies will constitute another key topic of the course, examining strategies aimed at promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through the analysis of case studies, students will have the opportunity to see the practical application of the theories learned, addressing real-world challenges and evaluating solutions in the field of energy economics and sustainability. These case studies will include economic and environmental assessments of energy projects, with particular attention to renewable energy projects and energy efficiency initiatives.

The course will conclude with a discussion on major global challenges in the field of environmental and energy economics, such as climate change and energy security, providing students with the tools to understand and address the complex issues of our time.

Readings/Bibliography

Main textbooks:

Turner, Pierce, Bateman (2003), Economia Ambientale, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Schwarz (2022), Energy Economics, 2nd Ed., Routledge Publishers.

Other textbooks:

Perman, Ma, McGilvray, Common (2003), Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, 3rd Ed., Pearson.

Hafner and Luciani (2022) The Palgrave Handbook of International Energy Economics, Springer Nature.

Zweifel, Praktiknjo, Erdmann (2017), Energy Economics: Theory and Applications. Springer Texts in Business and Economics.

Other materials will be indicated during the lectures.

Teaching methods

This course employs a variety of teaching methods to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

Lectures will provide the foundational theoretical knowledge on environmental economics, sustainability and energy challenges. These sessions will include interactive elements such as real-time polling and Q&A segments to encourage student participation.

Case Studies will be utilized to bridge theory and practice, offering students the opportunity to analyze real-world applications and outcomes. Through these case studies, students will gain insights into the practical challenges and solutions in environmental challenges and sustainable energy resources.

Class Discussions will foster a collaborative learning environment. Students are encouraged to share their perspectives and experiences, which will enrich the collective understanding of the course material.

Assessment methods

Attending Students:

1. Participation in Class Discussions (10% of the final grade): This will assess the student's ability to understand and critically discuss the course material.

2. Paper (maximum 20 pages including figures and bibliography – 90% of the final grade): This will assess the student's ability to apply the methods and concepts learned throughout the course. The topics for the paper will be provided during the second week of the course. Students will present their paper in class during the final lesson. Working in groups of two or three is highly encouraged.

Non-Attending Students:

Written Exam (2 hours): The exam consists of 2 open-ended questions (worth up to 8 points each) and 8 multiple-choice questions (where the student is required to justify their answer based on the theory studied - worth up to 2 points each) covering the entire syllabus.

Points for the open-ended questions are awarded based on the accuracy, thoroughness, and completeness of the response. The student must demonstrate understanding of the topic, present it rigorously, critically examine the main aspects, and account for the scientific and political debate. Points for the multiple-choice questions are awarded as follows: each correct answer with justification is worth 2 points. Correct answers without justification are worth 0 points. Incorrect answers are worth 0 points.

The maximum total score obtainable in this exam is 32 points. Students with a final score above 30 will also receive honors.

Teaching tools

https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Links to further information

https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Office hours

See the website of Emanuela Carbonara