ENVIRONMENTAL AND TERRITORIAL ECONOMY
Module ECONOMIA AMBIENTALE

Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: GIUSEPPE DI VITA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Provide the knowledge for understanding the relationship between the economic system and environmental resources, the principles and tools of economic policy useful for generating an improvement in social well-being in line with the needs of sustainable development.

In terms of learning, the achievable results can be summarized as follows:

Knowledge and understanding - ability to acquire useful knowledge to understand the interrelationships between economic development and the environment and aspects of an economic, social and environmental nature

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding - the study and analysis of the basic elements of economic tools useful for promoting interventions compatible with sustainable development allow us to understand their applicability with reference to diversified environmental conditions

Autonomy of judgment - the assimilation of the contents of the discipline stimulates awareness of the diversification of territorial contexts and of the need to operate objectively and transparently to achieve a real improvement in social well-being

Communication skills - ability to understand, illustrate and argue with appropriate mastery of language and basic content on environmental economics issues

Learning skills - Acquisition of useful basic knowledge that can be used in the world of work within the scope of the course of study attended and to access higher education levels

Course Structure

Principles of general economics; The environment and the economic system; Environmental externalities; The tools for regulating externalities; International, community and national environmental policies; Criteria for the use of renewable and non-renewable resources; Economics and politics of climate change; Principles and models of territorial organization.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs).

Required Prerequisites

No prerequisite is required

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance to the course is not compulsory, however it is strongly recommended as it facilitates the learning process.

Detailed Course Content

Principles of general economics; The environment and the economic system; Environmental externalities; The tools for regulating externalities; International, community and national environmental policies; Criteria for the use of renewable and non-renewable resources; Economics and politics of climate change; Principles and models of territorial organization.

Textbook Information

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1L’economia estesaChapter 2
2Introduzione al corsoChapter 1 and didactic material provided by the teacher
3Ambiente ed eticaChapter 2
4Economic growth, population growth and the environment. The environmental Kuznets curveProvided by the teacher
5Lo sviluppo sostenibile e gli indicatori di sostenibilità ambientaleProvided by the teacher
6Il funzionamento dei mercati e i loro fallimentiChapter 4
7Il fallimento dell’intervento pubblicoChapter 5 and 6
8Strumenti di supporto alle decisioni: cenni sull’Analisi Costi-BeneficiChapter 6 and 7
9Rischio e incertezzaChapter 8
10International conferences and agreements for the transnational protection of the environmentProvided by the teacher
11The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the state of implementation in ItalyProvided by the teacher
12Circular economy, bioeconomy and efficient use of resourcesProvided by the teacher
13The green economy and sustainable financeProvided by the teacher
14Environmental policies - The subjects: the life cycle of an environmental policy and the institutions. International, European and national agenciesProvided by the teacher
15Environmental policies - The guiding principles: “the polluter pays”; "Paying user"; "precautionary"; "Of subsidiarity"; "Do no significant harm - DNSHProvided by the teacher
16Le politiche ambientali - Gli strumenti: I meccanismi basati sul funzionamento del mercatoChapter 9 and 10
17Le imposte ecologicheChapter 12
18I permessi negoziabiliChapter 13
19I meccanismi basati sugli strumenti normativi: gli standard ambientaliChapter 11
20Gli strumenti volontari: bilanci ecologici, sistemi di etichettatura e certificazione ambientale, analisi del ciclo di vita, i bilanci ambientaliProvided by the teacher
21Energia, ambiente, clima e territorio: le risorse rinnovabiliProvided by the teacher
22Energia, ambiente, clima e territorio: Le risorse non rinnovabiliProvided by the teacher
23The EU environmental policy. Birth and evolution: institutions, strategies, objectives and main legislative actsProvided by the teacher
24The EU environmental action programsProvided by the teacher
25The New Green Deal of the European UnionProvided by the teacher
26The state of natural capital and biodiversity in the international context and in ItalyProvided by the teacher

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Verification of learning takes place through an oral interview. 

The evaluation of the student's preparation will take place on the basis of the following criteria: learning ability and level of depth of the topics covered, properties of synthesis and exposition, and the student's ability to reason.

The vote follows the following scheme:

Unsuitable

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize

Use of references: Completely inappropriate

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: Just enough skills

Use of references: As appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: It is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently

Using references: Use standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed consistently

Using references: Use standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good

Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: Has explored the topics

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis.

Use of references: Important insights.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

  • What is sustainable development? 
  • What are the main international conferences and conventions on environmental protection?
  • What are environmental externalities?
  • What does the Coase Theorem state?
  • Why and how does the public operator protect and improve the environment?
  • What are environmental standards and taxes and how do they work?

  • What are climate changes and why is it useful to counter them?
  • What are the strategies to combat climate change?
  • Principles and strategies of the European Union's environmental policy