Environmental Economics (NEW)
Human well-being is closely tied to our ability to produce and consume goods and services. However, this activity has a profound and often unsustainable impact on the environment. How can we address this growing challenge?
This course explores the fundamental economic concepts necessary to understand human societies as open systems—systems that require the constant flow of energy and materials, while also generating waste. This dynamic, known as social metabolism, highlights the biophysical processes that underpin economies and the critical role natural resources play in sustaining economic activity.
In addition to examining the ecological dimensions of economics, the course will analyze how institutional frameworks create or remove incentives for the consumption and conservation of energy and materials. We will also delve into how various policy approaches tackle today’s pressing environmental issues, providing students with tools to critically assess sustainable practices and potential solutions for a more balanced relationship between the economy and the environment.
| Week | Contents | Teaching/Learning Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The economy as an open subsystem within the biosphere: |
Lectures and discussion sessions. |
| 2 |
Monetary evaluation and its problems |
Lectures and discussion sessions. |
| 3 |
Instruments of environmental economic policy |
Lectures and discussion sessions. |
From Monday to Friday.
From 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The assessment of the student's performance will be based on a final and unique exam at the end of the teaching period; which will consist of 20 multiple choice questions and two essay questions.
Common, Michael S., and Sigrid Stagl (2005). Ecological Economics: an Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991010751826406709
Daly, Herman E., and Joshua C. Farley (2011). Ecological Economics: Principles and Applications. 2nd ed. Washington: Island Press. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991001531189706709
Costanza, R., Segura, O., & Martínez Alier, J. (1996). Getting down to earth: practical applications of ecological economics. Island Press. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991004699359706709
Martínez Alier, Joan., and Klaus Schlüpmann (1987). Ecological Economics: Energy, Environment and Society. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991001038929706709
Padilla Rosa, E. and Ramos-Martin, J. (Eds.) (2023): Elgar Encyclopedia of Ecological Economics. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. ISBN: 978-1-80220-040-9. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/avjcib/alma991010845234606709
Villamayor-Tomas, Sergio., and Roldan. Muradian (Eds.) (2023). The Barcelona School of Ecological Economics and Political Ecology A Companion in Honour of Joan Martinez-Alier. Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991010787421306709
Facund Fora-Alcalde holds a Degree in Economics from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a Master of Arts in Economic Policy from the Kingston University of London. He has worked as an advisor to both the Parliament and the Government of the Balearic Islands on topics related to industrial policies and energy transition, and is currently an adjunct lecturer at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a PhD candidate at the University of the Balearic Islands.
- Mail: Facund.fora@uab.cat