Study-unit ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY
| Course name | Sustainable agriculture |
|---|---|
| Study-unit Code | A003112 |
| Curriculum | Comune a tutti i curricula |
| Lecturer | Antonio Boggia |
| Lecturers |
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| Hours |
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| CFU | 9 |
| Course Regulation | Coorte 2023 |
| Supplied | 2023/24 |
| Supplied other course regulation | |
| Learning activities | Caratterizzante |
| Area | Discipline economico gestionali |
| Sector | AGR/01 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Type of learning activities | Attività formativa monodisciplinare |
| Language of instruction | English |
| 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 |
| 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 |