Unit ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Course
Sustainable agriculture
Study-unit Code
A003112
Curriculum
In all curricula
Teacher
Antonio Boggia
Teachers
  • Antonio Boggia
  • Lucia Rocchi (Codocenza)
Hours
  • 72 ore - Antonio Boggia
  • 9 ore (Codocenza) - Lucia Rocchi
CFU
9
Course Regulation
Coorte 2022
Offered
2022/23
Learning activities
Caratterizzante
Area
Discipline economico gestionali
Academic discipline
AGR/01
Type of study-unit
Obbligatorio (Required)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa monodisciplinare
Language of instruction
Italian
Contents
The course provides knowledge on environmental economics and environmental policies to achieve sustainable development, with specific attention to the agri-food sector. It also provides knowledge on the estimative aspects of conservation, protection and enhancement of the environment, in theoretical, methodological and application terms.
It provides knowledge on European and international guidelines relating to the circular economy, on the theoretical foundations of the circular economy and on its practical applications with particular attention to the agri-food sector. It also provides knowledge on the possibilities and methods of evaluating the circularity of production systems.
Reference texts
1. MERCEDES BRESSO (2002), Economia Ecologica, Carrocci Editore.
2. IGNAZIO MUSU (2003) Introduzione all'economia dell'ambiente, il Mulino.
3. PETER LACY et al. (2016), Circular Economy. Dallo spreco al valore, Egea editore.
Educational objectives
Knowledge (to know):

1. Relationship between an economic system and an ecological system
2. Factors affecting the environmental sustainability of an economic system
3. Different interpretations that society attributes to the concept of sustainable development
4. Role played by economic theory on the manifestation of environmental issues
5. Guidelines for the policies activated by the European Union for sustainability
6. Policies for the sustainability of agriculture
7. Basic knowledge of the economic value theory of environmental goods
8. In-depth knowledge of the assessment methods of environmental goods
9. In-depth knowledge of the phases and technical tools of the EIA and SEA processes
10. In-depth knowledge of the Environmental impact assessment procedure
11. In-depth knowledge of the particular problems related to environmental assessment in the agri-food production sector
12. Relationships and differences between linear economics, recycling economics, circular economics
13. Guidelines for policies activated by the European Union for the circular economy
14. Sources and methods of financing the circular economy
15. How companies' business models need to be changed in order for the circular economy to become an opportunity for development
16. Innovation in the circular economy
17. Opportunities and methods of application of the circular economy to the agri-food system
18. In-depth knowledge of the analysis of the life cycle of products and production processes
19. Thorough knowledge of circularity assessment methods

Ability (skills)

1. Ability to conduct multidisciplinary analysis on complex topics
2. Interpret the meaning of the main economic and environmental indicators
3. Connect the theoretical aspects of sustainability with the related practical actions
4. Ability to interpret the assessment needs related to an environmental problem and translate them into a significant result
5. Ability to organize and coordinate an environmental impact study as part of an EIA process
6. Ability to organize and coordinate an environmental relationship within a SEA process
7. Ability to organize and coordinate an environmental impact assessment
8. Ability to evaluate the sustainability of territorial policies in supporting public decisions
9. Ability to manage the transition from linear to circular economy
10. Interpret the meaning of the main circularity indicators
11. Ability to identify and use sources of finance for the circular economy
12. Ability to recognize and apply business and innovation models of the circular economy
13. Ability to evaluate the circularity of products and production processes
14. Know how to conduct studies of the life cycle of products and production processes


Behaviors (interpersonal skills)

1. Acquire a strong awareness on the need for environmental sustainability
2. Acquire communication and relationship skills
3. Sensitivity to environmental and economic problems related to agricultural and agro-industrial activity
4. Gain awareness on the need to adopt a circular economy model
5. Sensitivity and competence in the management of the three errors: reduction, reuse, recycling.
Prerequisites
In order to be able to know how to tackle the course, students must have basic knowledge of Economics.
Teaching methods
Teaching methods
Lectures
Classroom exercises
Seminars with external experts

Media for teaching
Power point slides
Materials distributed by the teacher
Video
Telematics platforms with limited access
Other information
Following the course is optional.
Location: check the website of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment Sciences (http://www.agr.unipg.it) on: Students - Lecture timetable
Learning verification modality
The exam consists of an oral test of 20-30 minutes of discussion aimed to assess the level of knowledge and understanding acquired by the student and checking the ability to communicate and the language property.
Extended program
Ecological system and socio-economic system
Environmental problems related to the use of renewable and non-renewable natural resources
The carrying capacity of ecosystems and the main manifestations of environmental pollution
Sustainable development concepts and main international initiatives to achieve the goal
Environmental management models: status, pressure and response indicators
Voluntary tools for eco-efficiency: product life cycle, eco-label, environmental budgets
International agreements and European and national environmental policy.
Multifunctionality and sustainability of agriculture: the national and international situation
CAP evolution to enhance multi-functionality
The role of environmental assessment in the path of rural development
Value theory and environment
Environmental impact assessment
Environmental impact assessment
Strategic environmental assessment
Models and methods for assessing the sustainability of agriculture
Multicriteria evaluation methodologies and their integrations with geographic information systems
Linear economics, recycling economics, circular economics
Brief history of the circular economy
Normative references at international, European, national and local level
Financing instruments
Circular economy business models
Circular economy opportunities for companies
Circular design and sustainable innovation
The circular economy in the agri-food sector
Tools and methods for measuring circularity
Life cycle analysis of products and production processes: LCA, LCC
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