Unit ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY
- Course
- Sustainable agriculture
- Study-unit Code
- A002181
- Curriculum
- Agricoltura biologica ed ecocompatibile
- Teacher
- Lucia Rocchi
- Teachers
-
- Lucia Rocchi
- Luisa Paolotti (Codocenza)
- Antonio Boggia (Codocenza)
- Hours
- 45 ore - Lucia Rocchi
- 18 ore (Codocenza) - Luisa Paolotti
- 18 ore (Codocenza) - Antonio Boggia
- CFU
- 9
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2026
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Discipline economico-gestionali e giuridiche
- Sector
- AGRI-01/A
- 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 aimed at achieving sustainable development, with a specific focus on the agri-food sector. It also provides knowledge on the assessment aspects of environmental conservation, protection, and enhancement, in theoretical, methodological, and practical terms.
It provides knowledge on European and international guidelines regarding 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 for assessing the circularity of production systems. - Reference texts
- Laurent La nuova economia ambientale Utet Universitaria
Boggia Estimo Ambientale Utet Universitaria - Educational objectives
- Knowledge
1. Relationships 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. The role of economic theory in the manifestation of environmental issues
5. Guidelines for sustainability policies implemented by the European Union
6. Policies for agricultural sustainability
7. Basic knowledge of the theory of the economic value of environmental assets
8. In-depth knowledge of methods for assessing environmental assets
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 specific issues related to environmental assessment within the agri-food production sector
12. Relationships and differences between the linear economy, the recycling economy, and the circular economy
13. Policy guidelines implemented by the European Union for the circular economy
14. Sources and methods of financing the circular economy
15. How companies’ business models must be modified for the circular economy to become a development opportunity
16. Innovation in the circular economy
17. Opportunities and methods for applying the circular economy to the agri-food system
18. In-depth knowledge of life cycle analysis
19. In-depth knowledge of circularity assessment methods
Skills (know-how)
1. Ability to conduct multidisciplinary analyses of complex topics
2. Interpret the meaning of key economic and environmental indicators
3. Link the theoretical aspects of sustainability with related practical actions
4. Ability to interpret the assessment needs associated with an environmental issue and translate them into meaningful results
5. Ability to organize and coordinate an environmental impact study within an EIA process
6. Ability to organize and coordinate an environmental report within an SEA process
7. Ability to organize and coordinate an environmental impact assessment
8. Ability to assess the sustainability of territorial policies in support of public decision-making
9. Ability to manage the transition from a linear to a circular economy
10. Interpret the meaning of key circularity indicators
11. Ability to identify and utilize funding sources for the circular economy
12. Ability to recognize and apply business and innovation models of the circular economy
13. Ability to assess the circularity of products and production processes
14. Know how to conduct life cycle assessments of products and production processes
Behavior (Personal Skills)
1. Develop a strong awareness of the need for environmental sustainability
2. Develop communication and interpersonal skills
3. Demonstrate sensitivity to environmental and economic issues related to agricultural and agro-industrial activities
4. Develop an understanding of the need to adopt a circular economy model
5. Demonstrate sensitivity and competence in managing the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. - Prerequisites
- General economics knowledge required
- Teaching methods
- The course includes classroom lectures on the topics listed in the syllabus; in-class exercises and seminars with external experts
Teaching and learning resources: Video recordings of lectures
Course materials distributed by the instructor: Slides presented during lectures available on Unistudium - Other information
- Attendance: Not required, but recommended
Location: Check the website of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences (http://www.agr.unipg.it) under: Studenti - Orario lezioni - Learning verification modality
- The assessment consists of an oral exam in the form of a 20- to 30-minute discussion designed to evaluate the student’s level of knowledge and comprehension, as well as their communication skills and language proficiency.
For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities, visit http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa - Extended program
- 1. Course Introduction
1.1 Ecological systems and socio-ecological systems.
1.2 Environmental economics vs. ecological economics
1.3 Bioeconomy
1.4 Environment and economy
1.5 Natural capital and artificial capital
1.6 Ecosystem services
2. Economics and Environmental Justice
2.1 Ethics and Justice
2.2 Issues in Environmental Justice
2.3 Climate Justice
3. Sustainable Development
3.1 Concepts of Sustainable Development and Major International Initiatives to Achieve the Goal
3.2 Agenda 2030
3.3 Growth vs. Development
3.4 Development Indicators and the Limits of GDP
4. Environmental Economics
4.1 Externalities
4.2 Public Goods
4.3 The Management of the Commons
4.4 Climate Change: Economic Models of Interpretation
4.5 Environmental Issues Related to the Use of Renewable and Non-renewable Natural Resources
5. Circular Economy: Issues and Challenges
5.1 Fundamental Concepts and Origins
5.2 Legislation
5.3 Business Systems
5.4 Circular Economy and Agri-Food Supply Chains
5.5 Measuring Circularity Performance
6. Environmental Management in the Economic Production System
6.1 Environmental Management Systems
6.2 Environmental Certification: Product and Process Certification
6.3 Green Marketing
7. Meaning and Content of Environmental Valuation
7.1 Valuation and the Environment
7.2 Environmental Valuation in the Context of Valuation Theory
7.3 The Valuation Process
7.4 Why Valuate the Environment
8. The Subject of Environmental Valuations
8.1 Public Goods and Environmental Externalities
8.2 Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services
9. Value Theory and the Environment
9.1 Exchange Value, Use Value, Social Use Value
9.2 Total Economic Value of Environmental Assets
9.3 Complex Social Value
9.4 Valuation Methods and Procedures
9.5 Beyond the Environmental Dimension: Sustainable Development
9.5.1 Sustainable Development
9.5.2 Valuing Sustainable Development
10. Non-monetary assessments
10.1 From prices to indicators
10.2 Indicators
10.2.1. The PSR model
10.2.2. The DPSIR model
10.3. Characteristics of an indicator
10.4. Assessing using indicators
10.5. A practical example
11. Monetary valuation of environmental goods and services
11.1. Willingness to pay and willingness to accept
11.2. Valuation methods
11.3. Direct methods
11.3.1. Contingent Valuation
11.3.2. Choice Experiments
11.4. Indirect Methods
11.4.1. Defensive Expenditures
11.4.2. Hedonic Price
11.4.3. Travel Cost
11.5. Benefit Transfer
12. Analytical Methods
12.1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
12.1.1. Definition, Origins, and Objectives
12.1.2. Standards
12.1.3. Structure and Phases
12.2. Ecological Footprint
12.2.1. Origins and definitions
12.2.2. Ecological Footprint and biocapacity
12.2.3. Calculation of the ecological footprint
12.3. Water Footprint
12.3.1. Water resources in the context of sustainable development
12.3.2. Characteristics and objectives of the water footprint
12.3.3. Calculating the water footprint
12.3.4. Some data
12.4. Carbon footprint
2.4.1. Climate Change in the Context of Sustainable Development
12.4.2. Characteristics and Calculation of the Carbon Footprint
12.4.3. Interactions with Other Methods - Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
- Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth
Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production