The debate on the scarcity of natural resources, its implications for development and economic growth, and future scenarios includes a wide range of perspectives and schools of thought. Therefore, specific skills are required to operate within entrepreneurial and public contexts active in the sectors of goods production and service delivery related to the exploitation, pricing, and management of natural resources and the environment. The course addresses the economic and environmental implications of natural resource management. It covers conceptual and methodological topics, as well as issues related to the allocation of natural resources. It introduces students to the principles, reasoning, and techniques necessary to analyse economic policy tools related to the management and sustainable use of natural resources.
Particular attention will be given to:
Understanding the key concepts and theories of natural resource economics
Analysing the economic factors and impacts of extraction, allocation, and conservation of renewable and non-renewable resources
Examining specific cases such as marine, forest, water, and land resources
Assessing the role of potential policies for efficient and sustainable management
Evaluating the sustainability of resource use and developing conservation strategies
Students will be expected to critically interpret the information acquired through an interdisciplinary lens and develop independent skills for discussing and evaluating issues related to environmental exploitation, ecological transition, and the assessment of policies concerning resource management.
Group research projects will provide an opportunity to experiment with and strengthen participatory and interactive learning approaches, as well as students' teamwork skills.