Discounting the value of natural resources in costbenefit analysis: a case study for policy making

4 p.

R&D Policy in Economies with Endogenous Growth and Non-Renewable Resources

The aim of this paper is to analyze how active R&D policies affect the growth rate of an economy with endogenous growth and non-renewable resources. We know from Scholz and Ziemens (1999) and Groth (2006) that in infinitely lived agents (ILA) economies, any active R&D policy increases the growth rate of the economy. To see if this result also appears in economies with finite lifetime agents, we developed an endogenous growth overlapping generations (OLG) economy à la Diamond which uses non-renewable resources as essential inputs in final good’s production. We show analytically that any R&D policy that reduces the use of natural resources implies a raise in the growth rate of the economy. Numerically we show that in economies with low intertemporal elasticity of substitution (IES), active R&D policies lead the economy to increase the depletion of non-renewable resources. Nevertheless, we find that active R&D policies always imply increases in the endogenous growth rate, in both scenarios. Furthermore, when the IES coefficient is lower (greater) than one, active R&D policies affect the growth rate of the economy in the ILA more (less) than in OLG economies.

Literaturaren zertarakoa, itzulpenak eta hizkuntzaren auzia Orixerengan

Ejemplar dedicado a: Beñat Oihartzabali gorazarre - Festchrift for Bernard Oyharçabal/ Ricardo Etxepare, Ricardo Gómez, Joseba Andoni Lakarra ( eds.)

Evaluating governance and participatory processes in Natura 2000: lessons learned and guidance for future prospects

In recent years, participatory approaches have been incorporated in decision-making processes as a way to strengthen the bonds between diverse areas of knowledge and social actors in natural resources management and environmental governance. Despite the favourable context, this paradigm shift is still in an early stage within the development of the Natura 2000 in the European Union, the largest network of protected areas in the world. To enhance the full scope of participatory approaches in this context, this article: (i) briefly reviews the role of participatory approaches in environmental governance, (ii) develops a common framework to evaluate such participatory processes in protected area management, (iii) applies this framework to a real case study, and (iv) based on the lessons learned, provides guidance to improve the future governance of Natura 2000 sites.

Evaluating Governance and Participatory Processes in Natura 2000: Lessons Learned and Guidance for Future Prospects

23 p.

Macroeconomía y medio ambiente: El PIB como medida de bienestar

Este Trabajo de Fin de Grado estudia el uso del Producto Interior Bruto (PIB) como medida de bienestar. Al tiempo que se realiza el análisis de la contabilidad nacional y, en mayor profundidad del PIB, se detallan algunas medidas alternativas. Éstas han surgido como consecuencia de la búsqueda de indicadores que incluyan en sus mediciones, no solo el crecimiento económico, sino también otra serie de variables que son relevantes y que el PIB no contempla (como los recursos naturales, la contaminación, la calidad de vida o la igualdad en la distribución de la renta de un país, por ejemplo). Así, surgen nuevos indicadores como el PIB ambientalmente ajustado, el Índice de Mejor Vida, el Índice de Progreso Genuino o la Huella Ecológica, entre otros. Como resultado de este análisis se concluye que la medida que mejor refleja el bienestar depende del objetivo específico que se busque investigar. En otras palabras, hoy en día ninguna medida es capaz de contestar todas las preguntas relacionadas con el bienestar de la población. Sin embargo, el PIB no está configurado –ni fue creado- como una medida de bienestar de un país. Por lo tanto, actualmente es preciso acompañar la información de este indicador con la de otros alternativos de tal manera que podamos tener una imagen más completa sobre el nivel de bienestar de un país.

Geology alive. GeoBizirik.org

Geology is the science that studies the Earth, its composition, structure and origin in addition to past and present phenomena that leave their mark on rocks. So why does society need geologists? Some of the main reasons are listed below: - Geologists compile and interpret information about the earth’s surface and subsoil, which allows us to establish the planet’s past history, any foreseeable changes and its relationship with the rest of the solar system. - Society needs natural resources (metals, non-metals, water and fossil fuels) to survive. The work of geologists is therefore a key part of finding new deposits and establishing a guide for exploring and managing resources in an environmentally-friendly way. - The creation of geological maps allows us to identify potential risk areas and survey different land uses; in other words, they make an essential contribution to land planning and proposing sustainable development strategies in a region. - Learning about Geology and the proper use of geological information contributes to saving lives and reducing financial loss caused by natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, flooding and landslides, while also helping to develop construction projects, public works, etc. Through the proposed activities we aim to explain some of the basic elements of the different specialities within the field of Geological Sciences. In order to do this, four sessions have been organised that will allow for a quick insight into the fields of Palaeontology, Mineralogy, Petrology and Tectonics.

Geology alive. GeoBizirik.org

Geology is the science that studies the Earth, its composition, structure and origin in addition to past and present phenomena that leave their mark on rocks. So why does society need geologists? Some of the main reasons are listed below: - Geologists compile and interpret information about the earth’s surface and subsoil, which allows us to establish the planet’s past history, any foreseeable changes and its relationship with the rest of the solar system. - Society needs natural resources (metals, non-metals, water and fossil fuels) to survive. The work of geologists is therefore a key part of finding new deposits and establishing a guide for exploring and managing resources in an environmentally-friendly way. - The creation of geological maps allows us to identify potential risk areas and survey different land uses; in other words, they make an essential contribution to land planning and proposing sustainable development strategies in a region. - Learning about Geology and the proper use of geological information contributes to saving lives and reducing financial loss caused by natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, flooding and landslides, while also helping to develop construction projects, public works, etc. Through the proposed activities we aim to explain some of the basic elements of the different specialities within the field of Geological Sciences. In order to do this, four sessions have been organised that will allow for a quick insight into the fields of Palaeontology, Mineralogy, Petrology and Tectonics.

EkoWorld: Educando en la sostenibilidad

[es] El desarrollo sostenible constituye a día de hoy un tema de interés en la sociedad, pues del ser humano depende el futuro del planeta, ya que su actividad es la que está deteriorando gravemente el medio ambiente y agotando los recursos naturales para saciar sus necesidades. Debido a eso, es necesario promover la educación para el desarrollo sostenible en la escuela como medio para transmitir valores de respeto y cuidado hacia el medio ambiente, los recursos naturales, la biodiversidad y las personas. Este trabajo se propone ese objetivo a través de la creación y aplicación de un juego para niñas y niños.