ECONOMICS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The course is elective in the degree course in Economics and Commerce - Economics, Markets and Finance.
It aims at introducing students to the economic analysis and vulnerability of natural and environmental resources with a sustainability perspective and to the economic methods and toolsfor environmental policy.
Particular attention is given to the evaluation of the environmental services and their role for social and economic development.
The course uses the water resources sector as a reference to facilitate understanding and give substance to the knowledge acquired.

1. Knowledge and understanding
1.1 Understand and recognize the interdependences that link the economic system and the environmental system.
1.2 know and understand the limits of the markets and their failures
1.3 Understand the links between development, well-being and the vulnerability of enironmental and social systems.
1.4 Understand the role of monetary and non-monetary valuation methods in decision-making processes
2 Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
2.1 Analyze the flows and budgets that characterize the relationships between economy and the environment
2.2 Use analysis tools such as indicators and evaluation indices
2.3 Apply simple dynamic and integrated models
2.4 Apply methods of evaluation of non-market goods and services
3 Ability to judge
3.1 Reflect on the relationships between economic activities and the environment with economic analysis methods and tools
3.2 Choose between different approaches for sustainability assessment and environmental valuation
3.3 Reflecting on sustainability as a criterion for long-term economic development

Mandatory priority exam: MICROECONOMICS - 1 [ET2020] (see https://www.unive.it/web/en/4624/exams )

1.Introduction to the course
2.Humans and the environment
3.The Environment and the Limits of the Market
4.Natural Resources
5.Renewable Resources
6.Measuring and modelling economic growth
7.Economic growth, natural resources and vulnerability of socio-ecosystems
8.Economic Appraisal for Decision Making: CBA & CEA
9.Multi-Criteria Decision Methods
10.Introduction to Monetary Valuation of Non-market Goods
11.Monetary valuation methods 1/2
12.Monetary valuation methods 2/2
13.Environmental Policy Instruments
14.Economics of Ecosystem Services
15.European Water Policy: the WFD, with Focus on Economic Analysis

Teaching materials made available by the instructor through the Moodle web site with the following main reference book:
Common, Michael and Sigrid Stagl, 2005. Ecological economics: an introduction. Cambridge University Press.

The oral exam includes 3-4 questions on the different topics of the course, one of them will be aimed at evaluating the student's ability to elaborate an articulated and detailed reasoning on the course contents in a hypothetical practical case.

oral

Below is a reference grading:
28-30L: excellent mastery of the topics covered in class and ability to select and prioritize information; use of appropriate terminology;
26-27: good knowledge of the topics covered in class and fair ability to organize information and present it orally; familiarity with terminology;
24-25: not always in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in class; correct oral presentation, but with limitations for example in the use of terminology;
22-23: superficial knowledge of the topics covered in class and unclear oral presentation, or lacking in terminology;
18-21: deficient knowledge of the topics covered in class and not completely adequate oral presentation.
Suggestions to obtain medium or high grades:
• Attend and participate in class and timely accomplish possible homeworks
• Study course materials in advance during the attendance
• Study in depth the various topics on recommended texts

The course foresees lecture-style presentations making use of powerpoint slides made available to students through the Moodle site of the course, seminars (given also by external experts), and homework.
The blog functionality provided by the Moodle platform is used for on-line communication between students and the professor.

Course materials (powerpoint slides, homework, forum, etc.) can be found in the Ca' Foscari Moodle web site: http://moodle.unive.it/
Therefore, students’ registration in Moodle is needed since the start of the class also for those that do not attend the lectures

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion. Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments
Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development