Public University of Navarre



Academic year: 2025/2026 | Previous academic years:  2024/2025 
Bachelor's degree in Economics at the Universidad Pública de Navarra
Course code: 171836 Subject title: NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS
Credits: 6 Type of subject: Optative Year: 4 Period: 2º S
Department: Economía
Lecturers:
OSES ERASO, NURIA (Resp)   [Mentoring ] PERALES BARRIENDO, JULEN   [Mentoring ]

Partes de este texto:

 

Module/Subject matter

Electives/Economic Analysis

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Contents

The relationship between human activity and the world¿s natural resources means we have to make choices. After all, we need to live and produce things, which means we have to use environmental resources. However, we also need to be mindful of our lifestyle and production methods so that we can protect these resources for future generations. This course examines these challenging decisions from an economic perspective. We will cover some interesting topics, such as how we manage our resources (e.g. forests, fisheries, oil and critical minerals), sustainable development and environmental justice. The focus will be on economic theory, concepts and graphs, but we will also explore how this relates to public policy.

Other interesting topics in the relationship between human activity and the world¿s natural resources, such as how we control pollution, are covered in the Environmental Economics course in the fall semester.

 

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General proficiencies

Not applicable.

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Specific proficiencies

Not applicable.

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Learning outcomes

RA04: Identify the main instruments of public intervention and relate policy recommendations to economic, environmental and social sustainability.

RA07: Knowing the relationship between verbal, graphic, mathematical and econometric analysis in the study of economics.

RA09: Identify and recognise the sources of relevant economic information and their content.

RA11: Use professional criteria for economic analysis, preferably those based on the use of technical instruments.

RA13: Apply rationality to the analysis and description of any aspect of economic reality.

RA17: Prepare reports and transmit ideas on any economic subject, with clarity and coherence, to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.

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Methodology

Methodology - Activity Attendance Self-study
A-1 Exposition/Participative Classes 44  
A-2 Practical classes 14  
A-3 Cooperative learning activities   10
A-4 Group projects   20
A-5 Individual practice and study time   58
A-6 Tutorials   02
A-7 Exams and evaluation activities 02  
Total 60 90

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Evaluation

 

Learning
outcome
Assessment
activity
Weight (%) It allows
test resit
Minimum
required grade
All Tests 30 Yes -
All Assignments/Projects 30 No -
All Final exam 30 Yes -

 

 

 

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Agenda

Unit 1 - Natural resources and the economy

1.1. Economy-environment interdependence

1.2. The efficient use of natural resources

Unit 2 - Non-renewable resources.

2.1. Efficient intertemporal allocations

2.3. Recyclable resources

2.4. Energy transition. Critical minerals

Unit 3 - Renewable resources. Fisheries

3.1. Biological growth processes

3.2. Harvesting decisions

3.3. Efficiency vs. open access. The tragedy of the commons

Unit 4 - Renewable resources. Forests

4.1. Commercial plantation forestry

4.2. Natural forest and deforestation

Unit 5 - Other natural resources

5.1. Water economics

5.2. Agricultural economics

5.3. Land economics

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Bibliography

Access the bibliography that your professor has requested from the Library.


BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Field, B.C. (2024) Natural resource economics. An introduction. 4th Edition. Waveland Press.

(There are previous editions that are also valid to follow the course)

SUPPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Perman, R.; Ma, Y.; Common. M.; Maddison, D. and McGilvray, J. (2011) Natural resource and environmental economics. 4th Edition. Pearson

Tietenberg. T. and Lewis, L. (2014) Environmental and natural resource economics. 10th edition. Pearson

 

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Languages

English.

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Location

Aulario.

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